Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain is famous as the official start of the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. Reaching the summit is just an easy one mile from the north parking or a long mostly uphill climb 8.8 miles on the approach trail from Amicalola Falls State Park.
There are several markers on the summit but not as many as one might expect for such an iconic location. This might be due to the original starting point being Mount Oglethorpe. As early as 1930, Oglethorpe was the starting point with a 38 foot tall marble obelisk named the Oglethorpe Monument. In 1958, as a result of heavy development around Mount Oglethorpe, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail was moved about 13 miles to the northeast to Springer Mountain. Much of the Approach Trail was originally built as part of the Appalachian Trail, before the southern terminus was relocated to Springer.
WillhiteWeb.com
Elevation: 3,781 feet
Prominence: 1,151 feet
View from Springer Mountain
Arriving at the summit of Springer Mountain
Day hikers on Springer Mountain
National Forest AT sign on summit
Hiking up one mile to Springer Mountain from Springer Mountain Trailhead
The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Sign at the Springer Mountain Trailhead
Kiosk at the Springer Mountain Trailhead
Summit of Springer Mountain
On the trail
Starting in these shoes was a bad idea for me.
Showing the AT and AT approach trail in red.