![]() ![]() The 10,000th hike completion was reported in 2008, 71 years after the Trail’s completion the 20,000th hike completion was reported just ten years later in 2018. More hike completions were reported for the year 2000 alone than in the first 40 years combined. The total had doubled by 1990 and again by 2000. 2,000-Milers by Decade 1930sīy 1980, the total number of 2,000-milers had increased more than ten-fold. The term “2,000-miler” was coined in the late 1970s to help identify this growing group of hikers. The trend was further fueled by the release of Garvey’s popular book, Appalachian Hiker: Adventure of a Lifetime. Ten people completed the Trail in 1970, including Ed Garvey, whose thru-hike was well-publicized. From 1936 to 1969, only 59 completions are recorded. The number of people hiking the entire Trail has risen dramatically over the years. Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.Note: slippery rocks and fast-moving water can be extremely dangerous! Please don’t climb, stand on, swim near, or jump from any waterfall. (Visiting the shelter, cemetery, and waterfall a second time on the return trip? The distance will total 10 miles.) ![]() From here, the hike turns to retrace its outbound route on the AT, returning to Three Forks and completing the adventure at 9.1 miles. The trail reaches a gravel road, Appalachian Blue Ridge Road, at 5 miles. Upstream several miles from Long Creek Falls, the creek here is shallow and narrow.īacktracking to the Appalachian Trail from the shelter, the hike turns left at the intersection to follow the AT’s white rectangular blazes and descend elevation. Scattered campsites flank the shelter, and a further. ![]() A short northbound hike on the blue-blazed trail treks a short stretch to the Hawk Mountain AT shelter. The AT reaches an intersection at 4.1 miles. The trail continues to climb elevation before cresting at 3 miles, and passes a large-trunked, old-growth tulip tree at 3.6 miles. The hike departs the cemetery, backtracking on the gravel forest road to the AT and continuing the eastbound journey. Though a few of the headstones have been replaced with modern, engraved versions, most are marked with weathered wooden posts or simple, broken, nameless rock fragments. A pavilion and restrooms border the 150-year-old cemetery, a juxtaposition of centuries. The hike turns north on the gravel road, briefly departing the AT to descend to the Hickory Flatts Cemetery, reaching the old cemetery at 2.2 miles. The AT passes a broad, cleared field before reaching a gravel road at 2 miles. The trail winds through switchbacks in a continual elevation climb, passing several campsites and leaving the waterfall’s rushing sound behind. It’s not the highest, nor the largest – but Long Creek Falls is simply beautiful, and has long been one of our favorite North Georgia falls.ĭeparting the waterfall, the hike retraces to the intersection and follows the AT’s rectangular, white blazes eastbound. This stunning waterfall spills 50 feet over a nearly sheer cliff, tumbling into a pool of water under towering hemlock in a valley choked with gnarly-branched rhododendron. 8 mile, the hike veers northeast, departing the Appalchian Trail to follow blue trail blazes to Long Creek Falls. Departing the trailhead, the hike dives into the forest, hiking northeast and paralleling the spilling cascades of Long Creek on the trail’s left. The adventure begins at the gravel Forest Road 58 under a canopy of hemlock, rhododendron and deciduous trees ( view maps and driving directions). Appalachian Trail to Hawk Mountain: the hike ![]()
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