Springer Mountain–Ball Mountain, 4 summits is a 15.7-mile out-and-back in Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area near Amicalola, GA. The route passes Frosty Mountain and Springer Mountain before reaching Ball Mountain at the turnaround, 7.8 miles in. It climbs 3,473 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade. It scores 86/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
0 mi2,543 – 3,776 ft · steepest grade: 23%16.4 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Appalachian Approach Trail 34.56857, -84.24294
Nearest town Amicalola, GA
Directions
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Springer Mountain–Ball Mountain, 4 summits
15.7 mi · ▲ 3,473 ft · 6 hr 58 min
Elevation 2,543–3,776 ft
Out & Back · Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Trailhead: Appalachian Approach Trail · 34.56857, -84.24294
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 7:15 AM · sunset 7:58 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Appalachian Approach Trail, heading NE.
- 2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 1.1 miPass Frosty Mountain.
- 350 ftSharp left, heading E.
- 3.6 miPass Springer Mountain.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miPass Ball Mountain.
- 0.1 miReach Springer Mountain, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Approach Trail, heading S.
- 3.8 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 1.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
10% dirt90% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 7:15 AMSunset 7:58 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 7:23 PM for the 7:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Appalachian Approach Trail Trailhead
- Len Foote Viewpoint via Len Foote Trail 1.4 mi · ▲ 285 ft
- Amicalola Falls–Appalachian Approach Viewpoint Loop, 5 sights 1.8 mi · ▲ 721 ft
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