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Why Hike?
It’s challenging, and God’s creation has a special way of bringing healing.
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Goal: To Hike approximately 40 miles from the beginning @ Amicalola Falls on the approach trail to Springer Mountain then onto Unicoi Gap just past Blood Mountain.
Where we actually hiked: Amicalola Falls, Approach Trail, Springer Mountain to Woody Gap in Suches, GA.
Approx. time: 5 days.
Sunday, May 31, 2026: Our daughter dropped us off with our 40-50 lb packs at the falls where we hiked 575 steps to the top of Amicalola Falls. We made it in 2 miles, in the rain, before calling it and setting up camp. The steps up the fall with heavy packs pretty much wiped us out.
Monday, June 1, 2026: Hiked 6 miles on the approach trail to Springer Mountain shelter where we camped for the night.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026: Very fatigued and hurting, we hiked 3 miles up and down the hills to Stover Creek Shelter where we lay up and rested for the day.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026: We walked 3 miles towards Hawk Shelter, we stopped at Long Creek Falls for a beautiful lunch, refreshing water, and to restock on water. Then we hiked another 4 miles to Hawk Shelter. By this time our son had walked on a pulled muscle for two days and Kim had an old knee injury flare up so our daughter picked them up ½ mile from Hawk Shelter.
Thursday, June 4, 2026: Zac trekked 8 miles up Sassafras Mtn. and on to Gooch Gap Shelter where he rested for the final trek to the extraction point.
Friday, June 5, 2026: Pick up Zac @ Woody Gap @ 12:30 in Suches, GA.
This was an amazing experience, we learned a lot, and hope to do more in the future.
We are asking for sponsors to either contribute a one-time donation or commit to giving a donation per mile completed.
A special thanks to Mary Kinnaman and family for her monetary donation as well as the donation of hiking packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes.
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Nicanor’s Gate General Fund. Funds given for a specific project are allocated to that specific project.
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Yes, we will have a couple of check points along the way and would love to restock for the next leg.
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Yes
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Yes