The change back to standard time is depressing for a lot of people. Darkness comes too early and the usable part of the day is gone before you are finished with it. The changes taking place this month make being outdoors a different kind of experience. The cool, crisp air is invigorating, the leaves falling from the trees make a familiar and comfortable sound when you walk through them, and the bare trees let the sun shine on you while at the same time opening up views that are not visible during the warmer months.

The shorter days necessitate visiting places closer to Atlanta, unless an overnight stay is included. The completion of GA 400, along with higher speed limits, have made Dahlonega an easy 1-1¼ hour drive, and around it are a variety of hiking areas where we and the dogs can get out and enjoy the mountains.

The Appalachian Trail begins near Dahlonega on Springer Mountain, and there are a number of access points in the area. The approach trail to Springer Mountain starts in Amicalola State Park and is an 8 mile hike one way, too far for most people to complete, up and back, in a day. Shorter portions of it make a nice day hike.

Not too far from Dahlonega is a place called Woody Gap, where the AT crosses GA 60. At Woody Gap you can access the trail on either side of the road. On the left the trail heads south, back to Springer Mountain. On the right side, the trail heads north to Maine. One of the nice things about entering the trail here is that you can’t make it to either of those places on a day hike, so why worry about it? Sometimes we come to the mountains and treat the visit like an extension of our work week - goals to be reached, targets to be met, a project to be completed. It isn’t any of that, it’s just a walk in the woods.

There is no waterfall 4 miles in, and it isn’t a 6 or 8 mile loop trail that must be completed to get back to the car. You can take your time and walk as little or as much as you want, measuring your stay in the woods in hours and minutes, not miles and feet. Keep in mind, of course, that if it is 4:30 and you have been walking for 3 hours, you may have a problem.

The trail south is fairly level for the first mile, then climbs to a ridge top with a nice view. It then goes from peak to gap and gains and loses about 200' in elevation between each ridge. The trail is well maintained and the uphill portions offer a moderate degree of difficulty. On the right, the trail north begins with a gradual uphill incline for the first ½ mile or so, then begins a more strenuous climb on a series of switchbacks to a rocky overlook. From there the incline is gradual again to the top of a ridge, from which it then begins a downhill slant to Millers Gap at about the 2½ mile point. Except for the switchback portion, the trail is easy to moderate in difficulty.

Both portions of the trail offer an opportunity to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are nice viewing areas, and places to relax and enjoy nature. Exercise combined with fall air can create a healthy appetite, and there is nothing like a visit to the Smith House in Dahlonega to take care of that! Take GA 400 north to the end, then go left to Dahlonega. Take US 19 north to Stonepile Gap and turn left on GA 60 for 5½ miles.