Len Foote Hike Inn Loop (Dawson County, Georgia)

 

In an effort to keep the momentum going, I decided to hike to and stay at the famous Len Foote Hike Inn for this first weekend of the new year. Unlike last year though, I posted this as an event on the Meetup I occasionally lead hikes for, explaining that attendees would need to secure lodging on their own at the inn if they wished to participate. I've always wanted to stay at the inn when there is snow on the ground, but I've never timed it correctly and based on the forecast, I don't think this year will fair any better. We're expecting cold temperatures, but no precipitation until later tomorrow afternoon.

Planning to depart our meeting place at the top of Amicalola Falls promptly at 1:00 PM, I arrived at the park and checked in with the Inn well before that. When I reached the parking area at the top of the falls, I was greeted by a friend from the hiking group that had signed up, as well as one other woman. This other woman was introduced to me and we began chatting. She was planning to do the hike, but due to other obligations would not be spending the night at the inn and would return on her own. Fine by me. While we waited for the appointed start time, we walked part of the way down the steps and took a slightly different view of the waterfall, which is the tallest in Georgia. 

Getting close to our departure time, we walked back to the parking area and were joined by another gentleman who had signed and whom I've hiked with before. As we had all had a chance to learn each other's names in these few minutes leading up to the start time and as no no one else had shown up, started our hike right on time, as I always like to do. 

The four of us began making our way up the hillside along the Len Foot Hike Inn Trail. This forms the eastern side of the full loop we will be making. After spending the night at the inn, we'll return on the other part of the loop, known as the AT Approach Trail, as it leads from Amicalola Falls to the official southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

We made great time and arrived at the inn around 3:00pm. Our fourth member had turned back just before the final push as she didn't want to be hiking in the dark. The remaining three members of our party each checked in and agreed to meet for the tour at 5:00pm. Leading up to that time, I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate in the dining area and then took a quick shower. One of the charms of this inn is the ability to take a hot (well, warm) shower in the middle of the woods. I'm an avid backpacker and perfectly fine with going a few days without one if necessary, but if a shower is a available, I'm going to take full advantage of it.

Meeting in the toasty warm lobby just before 5:00pm along with many other guests of the inn, our host took us on a short tour of the facility. I've done this tour each time I've stayed at the inn, but I've always enjoyed it. The inn is owned by the state of Georgia, but managed by a non-profit. They have gained much notoriety and even some awards over the years for their environmentally friendly practices. 

After the tour, we head to the main dining hall, where we are joined by all guests. A bell rings out to signal dinner time and we sit down to enjoy a warm meal. On the menu tonight is turkey breast, mixed vegetables, and wild rice with a blueberry cobbler for desert. It's a hearty meal and quite delicious. Our group begins chatting with other folks sitting nearby during our meal and we all comment about how magical this place is. The Len Foot Hike Inn is truly one of my favorite places in the state.

As dinner concludes, some of us head down to the sun room and enjoy conversation around the wood burning stove while some groups play board games, assemble puzzles, or just read a book. It's a pleasant way to spend an evening among like-minded adventurers. Around 8:30pm though, I decided to head back to my room and listen to an audio book I had started on the drive up. Walking between the buildings on a cold night like this can be chilly, but with a warm room and blankets to crawl under awaiting me, it shouldn't alter my great mood.

Listening to the audio book for only a short time, I decided to cut the lights and try to fall asleep before too long and did with no effort. Though unusual for me, I had to use the restroom a couple of times during the night. Unlike at home, this requires me to get dressed and walk back outside to the bathhouse and the cold air hitting my face was an unpleasant reminder of the time of night. It must have been that cup of coffee I had with dinner. I almost never drink coffee.

I got up just before sunrise, got fully dressed and walked out to the Star Lounge to watch the magnificent dawning of a new day. Many others were already here and we all snapped photos while sipping our morning coffee as our mother star broke through an array of orange an pink clouds to bring light to our part of the world once more. Truly magnificent.

After a hearty break fast of bacon, eggs, and grits, I head back to my room, strip my sheets, and finish packing my bag. I met up with my hiking mates in the lobby and began our hike back around 9:30am. It's a bit colder this morning and I hiked with my gloves on for a bit, before the activity warmed me enough to not notice the frigid air. There is weather on the way and the cloudy skies confirm this, but hopefully, we can get back before it hits. 

We make great time and deal with few light drizzly periods on our way back, but nothing significant. The AT Approach Trail is just slightly longer and more challenging than it's counterpart on the other side of the loop, but that's okay, I wanted a good workout this morning. My friends seem to be managing well and in what seems like no time at all, we've made it back to our cars. We say our goodbyes and drive off into a new day. Total distance hiked over the two days was 9.9 glorious miles.

First Day Hike: Falls to Farm (White County, Georgia)

 

It's the dawn of a new year and I want to start it out right with some good trail miles. Many of the Georgia State Parks offer "first day hikes", but I decided to repeat one I did two years ago and hike from "Falls to Farm". This 11ish mile supported hike will take me from Anna Ruby Falls through the streets of Helen, GA and all the way to Hardman Farm. It was a great experience when I did it in 2023 and hopefully, the 2025 edition will be the same.

I woke early and drove mostly in the dark to the check-in at Hardman Farm. The roads were barren, as most people were probably up celebrating into the wee hours. Arriving at the parking area, I easily found a spot and walked down the stairs to the visitor center, where volunteers checked me in and explained the itinerary of the morning.

The shuttles would take all hikers from here to Anna Ruby Falls visitor's center around 8:15 and from there we would begin our hike. Support stations would be available at Unicoi State Park and just outside the Bierhalle in Helen. Upon finishing the hike back here at the Hardman Farm, we would be greeted by a warm bowl of chili with all the fixins. Sounds like a wonderful plan to me. 

The ride to the falls was uneventful and a young college student sat next to me. We chatted about the hike. Once we arrived, I striped off my puffy jacket and stood for a group picture. It's cold this morning, but I know I would be burning up if I kept that jacket on. The 'be bold; start cold' has served me well in the past. As I started up the paved path to the water fall, the young man held my pace and we continued our conversation along the way. Reaching the falls, I stopped for a couple of pictures and then made the turn and my way up to the Smith Creek Trail, which would lead down to Unicoi State Park. 

As usual, I kept a good pace and passed a few hikers along the way. It's great to be out here this morning. The air is brisk, but renewing. And though, I was a bit cold when I started out, I soon feel good about my decision to pack the jacket into my backpack. 

This section of the trail is pretty uneventful, though it is gorgeous with just a touch of morning frost. The path crosses a couple of small streams that empty into Smith Creek below. The first of these requires a little bit of rock hopping, but nothing terribly difficult and everyone seems to make it without any wet shoes or worse. 

At one point, I miss a switchback and continue further down the trail, which has been worn pretty well. I suspect others have made that same mistake, but before long, I realize my mistake and turn back. Either way would have gotten me to the park, but I had might as well stick with the planned route. 

Arriving at Unicoi, we're greeted by more volunteers who offer us water and granola bars. I seem to remember this stop having breakfast sandwiches two years ago, but that could be just a wishful memory. I gratefully take a bar and a sip of water. The young man that had been hiking with me seems to have been taxed by my pace and wants to stay here and rest for a few minutes. I wish him well and continue the hike, having only stopped for a minute or two.

Continuing through the park along some of the roads, we soon hit the start of the Unicoi to Helen trail, which will take us through the woods and into the streets of Helen, GA, which is a quaint little Bavarian-inspired hamlet famous for it's Oktoberfest celebration. The trails through here are very easy and I make pretty quick work of the miles involved. 

Before long, I've reached Helen and the path continues through the streets. As I pass the Bierhalle, I ask the volunteers manning this second support station if there is a restroom nearby. The point me to a public park just ahead and once I reach it, I take a moment to relieve myself. From here, it will be a road and paved path walk the rest of the way to Hardman Farm. There are a few people out on the streets this morning breathing the fresh air of a near year. It's encouraging to see this much activity.

Arriving at the farm, I'm greeted by even more volunteers and congratulated on my speed. I was among the first five to complete the 10.8 mile hike and did so in about three-and-a-half hours. I wasn't trying to race anyone, but I did want to get a pretty good workout from the event. 

As I enjoy my bowl of chili, I begin a conversation with a nice woman about the hike and other similar events. The chili is delicious and most welcomed after a good hike. The volunteers explain that we are a welcome to join a guided tour of the main house of the farm, but as it will be take nearly an hour, neither I nor my new friend want to commit to that much time and instead decide just to walk over and view the house from the outside on our own. We chat along the way and compare notes from the hike before saying our goodbyes and returning to the parking area. 

Just as last time, this was a wonderful event and I'm glad I started the new year off this way. The weather was a bit chilly, but overall great for something like this. Now, as I begin my journey into a new year, I can only hope for good health and great adventure. I wish the same for you.