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  • The A.T. in Georgia and the GATC
  • Put Your Money to Work on the AT
  • Road/Trail Closures

Springer Mtn Sunbeams cropThe Appalachian Trail in Georgia extends over 78 miles through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, passing through five federally designated wilderness areas, a national recreation area, and a protected corridor.

The Trail follows the southernmost segment of the Blue Ridge chain of the Appalachian Mountains, reaching elevations above 4,000 feet at several locations. With over 50 miles of connected, GATC-maintained side trails, hiking opportunities that challenge, provide variety and breath-taking views abound. The A.T. continues into North Carolina at Bly Gap where hikers may continue their journey into the Nantahala National Forest on trail that is maintained by the Nantahala Hiking Club.

The Trail's southern terminus, located on the summit of Springer Mountain, is marked with an Appalachian Trail plaque and white blaze. You will find more information about how to prepare for a hike or backpacking trip and how to access the Appalachian Trail throughout this website.

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club was founded on November 1, 1930 in Dahlonega, Georgia. We are an all-volunteer trail maintaining club responsible for the maintenance of over 130 miles of trail and trail facilities such as blazes, signs, shelters and privies in the north Georgia mountains. Our members, whether they have hiked the entire A.T. or are more casual about their outdoor recreation, come from all walks of life and share a passion for the Appalachian Trail and its protection for today and the future. Members of the GATC have served in leadership positions with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and previously the Appalachian Trail Conference from its earliest days. Many of our members serve on regional and trail-wide committees that direct and guide the present and future of the Appalachian Trail, as well.

In addition to maintaining and planning for the future of the A.T., we enjoy many recreational opportunities throughout the year. These trips have included day hikes, backpacks, photography, bicycle, canoeing and kayaking trips. These activities are not only in the mountains of north Georgia but in the city of Atlanta, the lakes of South Carolina, the coasts of Georgia and Florida and in many other locations throughout the southeast. We invite you to JOIN US and become a member of the leading trail maintaining club in Georgia and a leader in outdoor recreation!

Help Preserve the AT in Georgia

GATC Logo Black

As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club can accept your financial donation in any amount. Donations of $100 or more may be designated to one or more of the following specific purposes:

  • General Donation
  • GATC Building Fund
  • Trail Ambassador Program
  • Outreach Programs
  • Conservation
  • Activities
  • Trail Maintenance/Repairs

Donated amounts of less than $100 will be considered a general donation. Click here to make a donation.

Sport your support when you have a Georgia AT License Plate!GATCNewPlate

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) receives $10 annually for each Georgia specialty A.T. plate purchased or renewed. Since the plate became available in 2013, Georgia license plate holders have raised over $300,000 for ATC.

Apply for Your Georgia A.T. Plate

Apply for your plate by visiting your local Tax Commissioner’s tag office, or by choosing the “Appalachian Trail Conservancy of Georgia” specialty plate when you renew your registration online. In addition to the regular vehicle registration fees, a standard, numerical A.T. license plate costs $35. There is also a one-time manufacturing fee of $25 when you first purchase your tag.

Georgia A.T. License Plate Grant Program

Each year, the ATC uses funds from the sale of Georgia A.T. license plates to provide grants to organizations and individuals who are working to help fulfill the ATC’s mission within the state of Georgia. As of 2021, nearly $500,000 has been raised through this program in support of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Click here for a year-by-year summary of previous grantees and projects that received funding.

Create a Facebook Fundraiser in Support of Your Trail

Are you at a point in your life where those gifts you get for birthdays or other celebrations aren’t so special anymore? You can easily turn those potential gifts into a GATC Facebook Fundraisingmeaningful donation to your favorite trail – the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. If you have a Facebook account, you can set up a fundraiser that benefits the GATC, a 501c3 nonprofit. Your friends and family could donate the money they would spend on a gift to the club and perhaps get a tax benefit as a result as well. The funds generated by your Facebook fundraiser would amount to a generous gift to the Appalachian Trail here in Georgia.

To set up a benefit fundraiser, open your Facebook account and look for Menu items. Locate the Fundraiser tab (note: you may need to select "See more" to find it.) Search for the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club then set your preferences for the fundraiser.

All the money raised through your fundraiser will benefit the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Your fundraiser will also help spread the word about the good work this club does to protect, maintain and advocate for the Appalachian Trail here in Georgia.

The Approach Trail is rerouted from the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center to the top of the falls due to storm damage and reconstruction. Hikers can follow either the AFSP TrailsWest Ridge or East Ridge Trails to bypass the area. More details are available at the park visitor center.

As we enter the “dog days” of summer, it is hot!  When I lived in Chicago I did not look forward to the end of summer usually in mid-September, because winter was soon to be upon us.  And after 46 years of that winter I did not like it any more.  Now, I look forward to the end of summer because we have more of an autumn and winter is nothing like Chicago.

The Coronavirus situation continues to be of concern, we hope to see successful vaccines soon.  While “social distancing” can help slow down the spread of this virus, people continue to be drawn to each other and to the trail.  The Trail Ambassadors are starting to make plans for this fall and next spring.  While we are open there is the uncertainty of if/when the trial will close. 

There is reason to believe there will be the usual, or increased, volumes of visitors to our trail this fall.  There is an increased number of SOBO hikers that will start showing up in Georgia this fall.  In addition there will be the usual weekenders etc.  To the extent possible Trail Ambassadors need to be on patrol.  While we plan for activity this fall, I realize at any moment we may have to “pull the plug” and go back to sheltering in place.

Then there is the thought of the thru hiker season next spring.  If it happens we should see significant increases in hikers.  There are those that tried this year that could try again, people out of work could find a place on the trail and those already planning a 2021 trek.  Again, we need to plan for the volumes of visitors and be ready to cancel.

The PATHE Campsite Engineering committee is in the final stage of developing trail classifications.  Each trail section and camping area will be classified 1 to 5 (Wilderness to Front Country) for management prescriptions.  In addition campsites are deemed Compliant, Non-Compliant, or Compliant by Exception.  Stewart Holt produced an outstanding map of our trail indicating these zones.  He and Bill Bryant will be visiting a section for final classifications.

After the PATHE meeting, the annual GATC/Forest Service meeting was held virtually.  Discussion of ongoing subjects included the Cost Share Agreement, renewing our Volunteer Service Agreement, and the upcoming Forest Plan.  We also requested the Forest Service consider additional funding for the Ridge Runner program.

 

Trail Skills Workshop

While I am disappointed that we cannot come together for this year’s Trail Skills Workshop, I am excited about our virtual program.  The objective of the workshop is to bring enhanced trail building and maintaining skills to club members.  This program will include two presentations from last spring’s Wilderness Skills Institute. 

Dr. Jeff Marion will discuss trail and campsite design and management.  Morgan Sommerville will present trail construction and maintenance.  Our Sawyer Coordinator Mike Cordisco will describe our sawyer program in hopes of enticing more club members into the program.

Each two hour session will be held on Saturdays starting at 10:00am.  The following is the tentative schedule for the virtual workshop:

September 26            Design and Management                         Dr. Jeff Marion

October 10                Trail Maintenance & Constructions          Morgan Sommerville

October 17                Crosscut Sawyering                                    Mike Cordisco

Great American Outdoor Act

Recently the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law. This bill will provide for the care of parks and public lands  by establishing full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, also known as LWCF.  The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important parks and public lands are to communities physical, mental and financial health.

This bill will help by addressing a backlog of maintenance needs for our national parks and other public lands.  Additionally, a fully funded LWCF will continue to help wildlife and communities meet the challenges of climate change.  I am excited that now, after 55 years, champions in Congress are finally enabling this crucial fund to reach its full potential.

In referring to the National Park System, President Trump was quoted as saying “This is truly God’s creation… President Theodore Roosevelt was right when he called these exquisite resources”. Funding will start in fiscal year 2021.

I realize I am overdue for a Town Hall ~ Happy Hour, which I will remedy soon.  I also invite interested members to virtually attend the upcoming board meeting, September 20 at 4:00pm.  I look forward to seeing you on the trail, soon.