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Post by kfuller71 on Mar 10, 2009 12:31:25 GMT -5
Me and Vikena are meeting a 8 a.m. to run this route. First, we will run up to the falls then on the other trail.
It will be less than 20.
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 10, 2009 20:33:53 GMT -5
Is this to Springer and back?
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Post by kfuller71 on Mar 12, 2009 7:06:14 GMT -5
Is this to Springer and back? Yes, this will be to Springer and back.
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 12, 2009 7:46:25 GMT -5
I was going to go back to Vogel this weekend, but I’ve been talking about doing this run for a long time. So I think I’ll join you guys out there. But don’t wait on me; I’m sure we’ll pass on your return trip.
Brad
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Post by kfuller71 on Mar 12, 2009 9:11:59 GMT -5
I was going to go back to Vogel this weekend, but I’ve been talking about doing this run for a long time. So I think I’ll join you guys out there. But don’t wait on me; I’m sure we’ll pass on your return trip. Brad We will first go up to the falls cause I want to get some pictures. We plan on meeting at 8. Might stop for mexican afterwards.
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Post by janice on Mar 12, 2009 11:28:09 GMT -5
If it is warm and you need water, don't forget that you can run past the Len Foote Hike Inn. It is about 1 mile off the approach trail. it has bathrooms, water, a small store (with candy, etc) and usually the dinning room is open and has ice tea and lemonade.
To get there you can either take the trail off of the approach trail, or you can take the len foote trail itself.
After you cross the road and go up the steps (just after the falls parking lot) you will come to the fork for len foote vs approach trail. if you don't go len foote at this point you will see a sign for it later on (about 4 miles??).
It is just a nice option
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 12, 2009 17:41:51 GMT -5
Why is it called Meat Grinder?
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Post by JamesT on Mar 13, 2009 12:51:22 GMT -5
What's the deal with all those "don't come down this trail unless you have permission or you will be shot and prosecuted" type signs on the Len Foote trail? Can they be safely ignored? That level of friendliness makes it hard to stop off on the spur of the moment on the way back from springer. If it is warm and you need water, don't forget that you can run past the Len Foote Hike Inn. It is about 1 mile off the approach trail. it has bathrooms, water, a small store (with candy, etc) and usually the dinning room is open and has ice tea and lemonade. To get there you can either take the trail off of the approach trail, or you can take the len foote trail itself. After you cross the road and go up the steps (just after the falls parking lot) you will come to the fork for len foote vs approach trail. if you don't go len foote at this point you will see a sign for it later on (about 4 miles??). It is just a nice option
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Post by janice on Mar 14, 2009 16:49:32 GMT -5
What's the deal with all those "don't come down this trail unless you have permission or you will be shot and prosecuted" type signs on the Len Foote trail? Can they be safely ignored? That level of friendliness makes it hard to stop off on the spur of the moment on the way back from springer. woah. i have never seen those signs. Where were they exactly? Maybe we should call the park about it. The Len Foote trail itself is part of the park. You can read about it here - hike-inn.com/trail.aspI am wondering if the sign you saw was either not the trail to Len Foote or some kind of sick joke?
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Post by JamesT on Mar 15, 2009 10:08:31 GMT -5
I couldn't remember the exact wording so my quote might have been a bit exaggerated. ;D I remember seeing the signs mostly at the start of the tail from either end and recall that they made me feel distinctly unwelcome (since I ignored them). Had they not been there I would have stopped to check out the Inn instead of trotting right past it. The purpose they served for me was to make me HTFU and run faster for the last 5 miles. I brought this up because I really did wonder about the reason for the signs and would like to be able to stop and check out the Inn the next time I run up to Springer. Maybe I was just hallucinating that day. What's the deal with all those "don't come down this trail unless you have permission or you will be shot and prosecuted" type signs on the Len Foote trail? Can they be safely ignored? That level of friendliness makes it hard to stop off on the spur of the moment on the way back from springer. woah. i have never seen those signs. Where were they exactly? Maybe we should call the park about it. The Len Foote trail itself is part of the park. You can read about it here - hike-inn.com/trail.aspI am wondering if the sign you saw was either not the trail to Len Foote or some kind of sick joke?
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 15, 2009 22:26:28 GMT -5
Although the run didn’t turn out as planned, it was still a great (and wet) day. The ladies didn’t want to run in the rain. I felt bad that they felt bad that they didn’t how to contact me about not running. Hopefully the day turned out ok for them. Next time I’ll be sure to give them my cell number. I did check out the trails, they were like rivers and I didn’t feel like running in the soup. So, since I was already at the Park I decided to climb the 600 steps to the top of the fall. I spent the next 3 hours running from the pond to the top of the stairs 6 times. I talked to a lot of thru-hikers and took pictures for them. The rain, the rushing water, the people, the workout, it was all good.
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Dan B
Stunned Runner
Posts: 136
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Post by Dan B on Mar 16, 2009 9:14:57 GMT -5
I have been wanting to do the "Meat Grinder" ever since reading in Christians Blog. I am thinking of running it next Sunday. If any body wants to meet up there sunday early lets try to coordinate. Email me at danburstein@mac.com or call cell 678.761.3284 Thanks Dan
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 16, 2009 10:15:36 GMT -5
I'll let you know later in the week. From spending the morning there yesterday, I will tell you that the trail will be very busy. I was talking to a new hiking group coming up the stairs every 30 minutes. I saw others starting (parking) from the top and from the other trails. Talk about free time :-)
Brad
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Dan B
Stunned Runner
Posts: 136
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Post by Dan B on Mar 16, 2009 13:03:41 GMT -5
I just re read your post about the stairs...really 600 of em? I am getting ready for the great wall marathon in may.. sounds like 600 stairs should be in my training routine!!!!
One other?? How long does it take to get up to Amicola Park from Marietta? ( trying to figure out if I can squeeze some stair time in this Fridday)
Thanks Loads Dan
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 16, 2009 13:25:45 GMT -5
up 400, left on 53, follow all the signs. It's 46 miles from Duluth. Took an hour Sunday morning but I'm sure there will be more traffic during the week.
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Post by janice on Mar 16, 2009 13:52:14 GMT -5
I couldn't remember the exact wording so my quote might have been a bit exaggerated. ;D I remember seeing the signs mostly at the start of the tail from either end and recall that they made me feel distinctly unwelcome (since I ignored them). Had they not been there I would have stopped to check out the Inn instead of trotting right past it. The purpose they served for me was to make me HTFU and run faster for the last 5 miles. I brought this up because I really did wonder about the reason for the signs and would like to be able to stop and check out the Inn the next time I run up to Springer. Maybe I was just hallucinating that day. woah. i have never seen those signs. Where were they exactly? Maybe we should call the park about it. The Len Foote trail itself is part of the park. You can read about it here - hike-inn.com/trail.aspI am wondering if the sign you saw was either not the trail to Len Foote or some kind of sick joke? i'll check it out next time i am up there. i suppose they could now have signs posted to keep people who aren't staying at the Hike Inn out, but it just doesn't seem very...well, friendly! I mean, we are all up there to enjoy the mountains. But i could see them getting tired of all the thru-hikers and such messing up their bathrooms and drinking all the lemonade
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Post by janice on Mar 16, 2009 13:57:42 GMT -5
up 400, left on 53, follow all the signs. It's 46 miles from Duluth. Took an hour Sunday morning but I'm sure there will be more traffic during the week. Or from Marietta, take 575, not long before Jasper turn right on 108 (follow signs toward Big Canoe), this will merge with 53, turn left onto Steve Tate Rd (again towards Big Canoe); when road dead-ends take a right; that road will dead-end in just a mile or so; take a left onto GA-183, in less than 1/2 mile take slight right onto GA-52; park will be on your left in about 2 miles. Normally takes me just less than 1 hour from Marietta (near the square)
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bgood
GUTS Member
Posts: 84
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Post by bgood on Mar 16, 2009 14:18:20 GMT -5
Dan, you're going to China for this Marathon??
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Post by surftrip on Mar 16, 2009 14:40:38 GMT -5
@brad and Dan
I'm not sure y'all are taking the right trail.
What we "lovingly" refer to as Meat Grinder is the AT approach trail beginning behind the Amicalola Lodge (with the neat-o signs referring to Maine being 2,108.5 miles away)
The "steps" in which y'all are talking about are actually at the falls, and these are not part of the run.
Once you climb the mile or so from behind the lodge, you will crest a gravel hill, which dumps into the parking lot for the Falls. This is where people will park and then walk down those steps.
But, as Meat Grinder runners, you will look to the right, for an opening and entrance back onto single-track trail, which will take you all the way to Springer ...and beyond if ya wanna.
Maybe you know all this and just I misunderstood the thread, but I wanted to clarify just in case.
ALSO, a group of us are headed to Woody Gap Saturday for a trot to Neels Gap and back.
surftrip@gmail.com gets you a spot in the Ford Excursion (with new wheels, tires and brakes - nice, huh?)
as always ~ ~ ~ GET SOME!
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Post by cheetahhead on Mar 16, 2009 15:35:20 GMT -5
Christian,
I've been eyeing that Woody Gap to Neels Gap (and back) run. About how long did it take you guys?
Nate
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