Hike to Len Foote Hike Inn

Gene and I have had several conversations trying to decide if we were really ready to tackle a 10 mile mountain hike.  After the Blood Mountain hike we felt pretty good and decided we’d go for it, so this morning we were off before daylight to Amicalola Falls State Park to hike the 5-mile trail to Len Foote Hike Inn.

Amicalola Falls is about 40 miles from Vogel State Park, but in the dark over these curvy mountain roads it took a little over an hour to get there.  We knew 10 miles was going to take some time so we got an early start.

Our first stop was at the Visitor Center to get a permit to hike the Hike Inn Trail.  The permit is free, but it took some time to get signed up.  Amicaloa Falls State Park is the home of the Approach Trail which leads up to the top of Springer Mountain and the start of the Appalachian Trail.  March 15th is one of the big start dates and the Visitor Center was swarming with hikers.  As we waited to get our permit, we watched as the 341st hiker this year registered to thru-hike the trail.  He was pretty excited.

When it was our turn to sign up for a permit we learned that you can make a loop hike connecting the Hike Inn Trail with the Approach Trail.  From the map we had and the map online, we could not tell for sure if that was possible.  We were glad to know we could hike a loop, however, it was 11 miles instead of 10.  What’s one more mile, we could do that.  Piece of cake.

After we got our permit, we drove up to the large parking lot at the top of Amicaloa Falls.    This is where our hike started.  There are better views of the falls from down below, but this is a pretty cool view from the trail right at the top of the falls.

From this parking lot The Hike Inn Trail and the Approach trail are the same for about a quarter mile.  Then they split and the Hike Inn Trail veers off to the right.  This trail was a real dream with wide, hard packed dirt treadway over moderate ups and downs.  There were mile posts so we knew how far along we were and at every mile there was a nice resting bench for breaks.  We stopped at every bench.  There were about 4 creek crossings.  Some had foot bridges, some didn’t, but they we easy rock hops.  No wet feet today.

The Len Foote Hike Inn is similar to other inns, cabins, and lodges which require their guests to hike to the facility.  This hike was much easier than any of the trails leading to Mt LeConte in the Smokies which can’t even compare to the trails to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon.  The Len Foote Hike Inn has about 20 guests rooms, a bath house (with hot showers), and a dining hall which serves family style meals.  The rates are about $150 (double occupancy) per night which includes dinner and breakfast.  On our hike up this morning, we saw 11 of last nights’ guests as they were coming down the mountain.
At the Inn we wandered all around seeing what we could see, then went into the dining room to eat our lunch.  They do not serve food except to guests, but there is always coffee, tea, and lemonade for the day hikers who stop in.  We helped ourselves to a beverage to go with our sandwich.  They also had some bread pudding left over from the breakfast meal.  They offered us some of that, so we were very contented hikers. Best trail lunch I’ve had in a long time.

The Hike Inn Trail continues on up the mountain from the Inn for another mile where it intersects with the Approach Trail.  By the time we got to the Approach Trail, we could hear thunder in the distance and the sky to the west was getting dark.

Blood Root

The Approach Trail is not continuously uphill, although it may feel like it to the heavily burdened thru-hiker.  This trail has its ups and downs and is much steeper than the Hike Inn Trail.  Our feet were screaming by the time we got back to the car.  Even though this portion of our hike was hard, it was very enjoyable.  We saw many, maybe 20, thru-hikers on their first day of their journey to Maine.  I can’t imagine what they must feel.

I'm using the sign to prop myself up.

Eleven miles was plenty for today, especially when the rain caught up to us.  We hiked for about a mile in rain gear. Needless to say, we were happy to see the car.

Tomorrow will be a driving day for us as we head for Nashville.  For now, it’s off to bed.

Thanks for tagging along.

P.S. Chick-fil-A has great chocolate shakes.

Crawford Path to Mizpah Hut

Well, our friends arrived late last night from Nashville and stayed at Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch.  We were up and out early this morning to have breakfast with them.  It’s always good to see friends.

Because we were out so early, we saw wildlife.  We got our first moose sighting since arriving in “moose country”.  It wasn’t the classic bull moose with the big antlers standing in a pond, but rather a mom and calf grazing by the highway.  By the time we got pulled over onto the shoulder and I got my camera out, they had wandered back into the woods.  Oh well, at least we finally saw moose.

There was a red fox in the parking lot as we pulled into the AMC complex at Pinkham Notch.  I’ve been trying for years to get a picture of a red fox.  They’re always too fast for me.  Once they hear our rumbling diesel engine, they’re gone.  This little fellow seemed quit content to be wandering among the parked cars.

First order of business was breakfast.  There is a small cafeteria at the Visitor Center which serves an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast.  It’s just what the hunger hikers want.  We loaded up on bacon, eggs, home fries, pancakes, yogurt, fruit, and granola.  Then, we crowned this massive pile of food with homemade cranberry/orange scones.  Cup after cup of java helped to wash it all down.

We finally had to drag ourselves away from the table and the conversation in order to get moving toward the trial.  Herb, Dwight, and Geoff were starting just south of Crawford Notch where the AT crosses route 302.  It was about a 30 minute drive from Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch.

We loaded all the packs and their other gear in the truck.  They’re staying at three of the AMC huts as they hike across the presidential range.  Because they’re staying at the huts which provide dinner, breakfast, and a bed to sleep in, they are not carrying as much gear as they will after this initial section.  We are holding this additional gear until next Saturday when they come down from Madison Hut to Pinkham Notch.  Five people, five packs, and two large duffle bags just about filled up the truck.  It was a cozy ride to Crawford Notch.

We put those boys out at the trail and watched with a little envy as they crossed the road and headed up the mountain.

Visitor Center in an old train depot

Before we could get out of the small parking lot at the trail, two other thru-hikers came out of the woods.  Whenever we see hikers on the road we ask if they need a ride, so I rolled down the window and ask.  They didn’t need a ride; they were heading on up the trail, however, they sure could use a cold drink.  I dug in the cooler for the two ice cold colas which we always take for our after hike treat and handed them over.  This afternoon, after our hike, I sure missed having that coke.

AMC Center at Crawford Notch

Our next stop was at the AMC center at Crawford Notch.  Crawford Notch is sort of the “headquarters” for the AMC White Mountain operation.  There is a lodge here, an information center, and a large conference center.  The main building for hut supplies is also located here.

After a few minutes there, we headed for our hike.  We were taking Crawford Path up to Mizpah Hut.  We wanted to surprise Herb, Dwight, and Geoff by being there when they arrived.  Mizpah was their destination for tonight.

Upper Gibbs Falls along Crawford Path

The Appalachian Trail has a reputation among its hikers for the numerous “pointless ups and downs”.  In this area, not only does it go up and down, it also goes around in circles.  In it’s traverse of the Presidential Range, the AT goes over just about all the highest peaks.  Today, our boys went over Mt Jackson on their 7 mile hike to Mizpah Hut.  Gene and I got to Mizpah via Crawford Path which is a lot less steep and only a third of the distance.  We waited at the hut for nearly two hours, but Herb and crew did not arrive before we had to leave.

Napping while waiting

Somebody we did see that we certainly didn’t expect to was Eddie Bear.  We had met him while hiking in Maryland.

Because we waited so long hoping to see Herb, et al, we were late getting home.  We had quick showers, then dinner, and now we are ready to crawl into bed.  It was a long day, but a very nice day.  Life is so good.