Amicalola Mountain
Georgia, United States, North America

Amicalola Mountain

Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Lat/Lon: 34.59750°N / 84.2306°W
County: Gilmer
Activities: Hiking
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Elevation: 3382 ft / 1031 m
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Overview

Len Foote LodgeLen Foote Lodge


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Amicalola Mountain (Cherokee for "Tumbling Water") is a massive ridge rising from near Dawsonville on its southwest flank to Nimblewill Gap not far from Springer Mountain at its northeast point. Its highest section is known as Frosty Mountain and was once the site of a Forest Service fire tower which has been disassembled and removed. All that remains of that tower are concrete footings partially hidden by vigorous undergrowth in the old clearing where it once stood.

Best known as the ridge line that serves as the source of the stream
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that produces Amicalola Falls, it rises abruptly from a valley floor at roughly 1500 feet above sea level, offering an impressive forested face. The south facing slopes of Amicalola Mountain are extremely steep; deceptively so as they are covered in a fantastic array of hardwoods that hide what would appear as cliffs in a less temperate zone.

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A fair portion of the mountain is protected as state park lands and as National Forest areas. While the actual Appalachian Trail does not traverse the ridges of Amicalola Mountain, the very strenuous Approach Trail does pass over the peak. Some thru-hikers make a point of hiking the Approach Trail, and thus Amicalola Mountain, while others avoid and instead use a Forest Service road to access the AT at a point not far from Springer Mountain, thus sparing themselves from such a tough beginning for north bound hikers.

Wildlife is abundant on the mountain, and bear populations have increased greatly over the past twenty years. It's not unusual to encounter black bears along the ridges and in the coves from Amicalola Falls State Park to the Springer Mountain vicinity. Wild turkey have made a tremendous comeback in the area, also, and are now commonly seen when they were all but extinct on the peak as recently as the early 1980s.



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The most prominent feature of the mountain are Amicalola Falls, arguably the highest in the eastern USA. The falls tumble an incredible 729 feet over seven separate cascades. It's difficult to get a complete view of these falls at any season other than the depths of winter when the leaf cover is gone. At other times, one can generally only see the top of the falls from below, and even these are a fine sight.

Within close proximity to the Atlanta area, the mountain is very popular
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with tourists and casual hikers. Crowds can be exceptional on weekends, but one can find some solitude even at such times by hiking on one of the many trails winding through the dense forests on Amicalola Mountain. Another very popular destination is the Len Foote Lodge, which is accessible only via a five-mile hike from the top of the falls.

While perhaps not as high as many other nearby Georgia peaks, and not having many open summits from whence to view the local highlands, the mountain is still an impressive place, if only for its hallmark cove hardwood forests and for the abundance of wildlife.

Getting There

For directions use any mapping site and the following address:

418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd Dawsonville, GA 30534

Trail MapTrail Map

Red Tape

There is a three dollar parking fee for private non-commercial vehicles entering the park. Parking fees are waived for guests of the park lodge, campers in the park campground, guests of the cottages in the park, or guests staying at the Len Foote Hike Inn.

Trail ProfileTrail Profile

Camping

There is a developed campground in the park which charges $25 for sites with electric and water hookups. There is also ample free camping on Chattahoochee National Forest land which is accessible from various park trailheads.

External Links

The Len Foote Hike Inn

Amicalola Falls State Park






Images

View Amicalola Mountain Image Gallery - 19 Images


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