Are you a hiker? Do you love the Appalachian Trail (AT)? Well, now you can show it by displaying the new, Georgia AT license plate. Georgia has joined North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia in the approval and offering of these plates. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is working with the state of Georgia to produce these plates, with the goal of generating significant revenue dedicated to the trail. In North Carolina alone, nearly $335,000 has been raised through this program.

This is not a done deal, however. The ATC needs to receive 1,000 applications, along with $25 per application to cover manufacturing costs, in order to initiate production. If there are an insufficient number of applicants, with a cutoff date of April 14, 2011, the ATC will have to resign from this program and return all applicants’ money. What can you do to help, and get one of these nifty plates? Simply go to the ATC’s webpage for license plates, www.appalachiantrail.org/licenseplates, click Georgia, and download the application. Once you have that plate on your vehicle the world will know you are a supporter of the AT. Show your pride, and your kindness.

For more information visit www.hikenorthgeorgia.com

Since opening up our second store up in Copperhill, we have been spending some time exploring the extreme North Georgia/Southeast Tennessee areas. One area in particular, Turtletown Falls and Scenic Area, is a beautiful area that is close by, but can be difficult to find. We are always dedicated to helping others find these great spots, so mark this one on the “to do” list, when visiting the Copper Basin Area. It is a looping, (generally) five mile hike, much of it along pretty Turtletown Creek, that visits two impressive waterfalls.

For directions to the trailhead, start out in downtown Copperhill. Drive north on Hwy.68 for about 11 miles (crossing Hwy.64 after three and a quarter miles) to a forking left turn onto Farner Road. Road marks at this intersection include a closed, single story school on the left (not an old school, 1960’s construction), and a brown information sign indicating the left turn for a campground and powerhouse. Once on Farner Road, drive two and three quarter miles to Forest Service Road (FS)1166. Be sure to drive straight on Farner Road, past the second sign, indicating a left turn, for the campground and powerhouse. Further down Farner Road look for a sign on the right side of the road, indicating the left turn to the Scenic Area at FS1166. Once on the graveled Forest Service road, drive one and a half miles, to the end of the road, and trailhead parking.

The hike itself is mostly easy, with a short lightly moderate section. This trail is very well blazed with a blocky white blaze that looks like a lower case “i”. Keep this blaze in mind, for it is helpful at this hike’s only confusing point (more info on that later). Also be advised, as we have scouted this hike we have not used any measuring instruments, so all mileages mentioned in the description of this hike are approximate.

The path of the hike starts out straight, following the creek, before veering left after about a mile. Follow the trail off to the left, continuing to follow the creek. At this point the trail is beginning a loop. After about another mile, the trail arrives at the first waterfall. This waterfall splits into two cascades, spilling vertically about 40-50 feet. After a pause at the waterfall, the trail continues downstream, by the creek. Then it heads to the right, away from the creek, to a “T” trail intersection, about a mile from the first falls. The trail to the right continues the loop back towards the trailhead, and the trail to the left goes a short distance to the second waterfall. Follow this short trail to the left to view this long (about 100 feet) cascading waterfall. After a pause here, retrace the short segment of trail back to the intersection, but go straight to finish the loop and return to the trailhead. After about a mile on this return segment of trail, is this hike’s only confusing point. Look to the right, and it is obvious once the hiker is looking for it, for a turn that follows the familiar white “i” blaze, dipping down a bit. There is a trail continuing straight from here, but it is not blazed and does not lead back to the trailhead. Once taking this right turn, simply follow this path, past the first turn to the first falls, straight back to the trailhead.

                       
 

Recently, we received a correspondence from Chris Clark, Commissioner of Georgia's Department of Natural Resources, regarding the current economic challenges our State Park System is facing. He states that all ready, due to declining revenue, they have reduced services at some state parks, cut days of operations at some historic sites, instituted layoffs and furloughs. He adds, if revenues continue to decline this summer, the state park facilities will be at even greater risk. What can we do? Commissioner Clark’s plea is simple. Please visit, be a customer at, our state parks.

Our location, in Ellijay, Georgia, is in close proximity to two of the state’s finest parks. Twenty miles to the east is Amicalola Falls State Park, and twenty miles to the west is Fort Mountain. For a mere five dollars, a carload of friends and family can visit these parks for hiking, picnicking, fishing, ranger programs, or just relaxing and doing nothing. The parks need the business and a better value for a day's worth of fun can not be found. Talk about a win, win.

So, what is there to do at these parks? Amicalola Falls features, what is called, the highest waterfall in the Eastern United States. Start the day at the visitor center with its interpretative exhibits. For an exhilarating day hike, follow the trail to the base of the falls, and then climb the 604 step to the top of the falls. For a nice overnight backpacking trip, follow in the footsteps of thousand of long distance hikers on the Appalachian Approach Trail to the top of Springer Mountain. Don’t want to have to carry camping gear but want an overnight in the woods? Then hike from the park to the Len Foote Hike Inn which is only accessible by foot.

Fort Mountain is a beautiful, mountain top park with a lot to offer. For day hiking, there are networks of short to medium length trails around the lake, which is open to fishing, and also around the area of the mysterious fort wall. The park offers excellent backpacking on the Gahuti Trail, with its four campsites, which can be reserved in advance. This park also has an extensive network mountain bike trails for every level of rider.

So, why not go out to one of these parks this weekend? The value can not be beat, and it would help to sustain these parks that are so valuable to us. Have fun!

For more information visit www.hikenorthgeorgia.com