We get a bit of a late start and decide to turn this Day Hike into an Overnight Hike on Section One of The Benton MacKaye Trail in the North Georgia mountains. To our amazement, we actually hike the trail in no time at all and make the loop back to Tripper’s “Mountain Mercedes” (1997 Jeep Wrangler that is still in great shape).
The best way to hike this section is to park in the Springer Mountain Parking Lot (6+ miles up State Road 42), hike up toward Springer Mountain and enter the Benton MacKaye on the left.
Just beyond this entrance is a Memorial Plaque honoring Benton MacKaye to the right side of the trail. The hike is rather flat before taking an easy decent down toward a few water sources. (* Make sure to read my following blog about the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System)
Just before crossing State Road 42 toward the first water source, there is a sign stating “View” to the right. Follow it!
This is a great place to lay back on your pack (plenty of soft grass), take a short nap and a “selfie photo” before you go.
You can hike this in no time at all, so slow down and enjoy the outside!
