springer mountain to hawk mountain shelter - Member Hike

Hike Name:	springer mountain to hawk mountain shelter
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Hiawasee
Rating:
Directions:	From Hiawassee you will travel west on Highway 52 for approximately 9 miles. Turn right at an old store with a partial sign saying Stor.This will be near mile marker 5 and There is also a sign for Nimblewill Baptist Church.Then you will travel for approximately 2 miles, then turn right just before the church onto Forest Service Road 28-1. At this turn, there is a brown/cream sign saying Nimblewill Gap/Jones Creek/Camp Wahsega. In approximately 2 miles after you cross the bridge, the road forks. Veer to the left onto Forest Service Road 77 and travel for approximately 5 miles to Windingstair Gap which is the intersection of Forest Service Road 77, Forest Service Road 42, and Forest Service Road 58. At Windingstair Gap, turn left onto Forest Service Road 42. In approximately 1 mile, the Benton MacKaye Trail crosses this road at Big Stamp Gap. You will then travel for another mile and until you see a parking area on your right. The Appalachian Trail crosses Forest Service Road 42 at this point.
Total Hike Distance:	8.10 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Easy to Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Starts:	springer mountain
Hike Ends:	hawk mountain shelter
Trails Used:	Appalachian trail
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Rivers
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Georgia Appalachian Trail Club P.O. Box 654 Atlanta, Georgia 30301 Voice Mail (404) 494-0968
Best Season:	Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Four Wheel Drive Recommended, High Clearance Vehicle Recommended
Hike Summary:	This hike officially starts at Springer Mountain which means you either have to hike the approach trail from Amicalola falls or park at the parking area above Springer mountain at the intersection of USFS 42 and hike to Springer mountain then backtrack to where the parking area is. On this section of the Appalachian trail you will pass the side trail that leads to the Springer mountain shelter and the Benton MacKaye trail crossing on the way to and from Springer mountain. Don't forget to sign the book in the metal box under the large rock withe the plaque at the top of Springer Mountain. From the parking area the trail winds leisurely through the trees you will cross several creeks a couple of footbridges and the Benton MacKaye trail several more times before the Stover creek shelter which is on a side trail. Then the trail crosses USFS 58 and a footbridge before once again crossing the Benton Mackaye trail again and then a dirt road which leads to a cemetery with a picnic pavilion. At this point you are approximately 1.9 miles from the hawk mountain shelter.