The Hike Inn
Have you ever been hiking with the TrailDames and were having such a good time that you didn’t want it to end? Well, this year’s Hike Inn event made us feel just like that. Two days of sunny weather on a picturesque trail suitable for newbie’s and seasoned hikers alike, scrumptious food, heartfelt laughter, warm and inviting conversations, festive, foot-tapping music by two talented musicians, and an informative presentation on Benton MacKaye Trail, by enthusiast and fellow Dame, Regina Reiter. Oh, and we shouldn’t forget sipping coffee around the sundial, braving the cold to take in the golden sunrise spilling into the inky valleys of the blue southern Appalachian mountains. When the weekend ended, our only consolation was that we could do it all again next year!
To get to the Hike Inn you have to hike! Imagine That! But your trail dusted feet will find ample reward both hiking to, and resting and relaxing at Hike Inn which is tucked into a cozy corner of Amicalola Falls State Park just outside of Dawsonville, Georgia. The moderate 5 mile Hike Inn trail is typical Georgia mountain; up and down, then, up and down again, with a few water crossings thrown in for good measure. Along the way you will encounter heavily wooded ridges, timbered footbridges, rocky outcroppings, rhododendron thickets, and then, get to test your rock hopping skills across several creeks and streams. It may take you a few hours to get there, but, as with all Trail Dames hikes, time always passes quickly.
Once you step into the clearing that reveals the beautiful, low slung gray buildings that make up the Len Foote Hike Inn, you instantly know you are somewhere very special! Friendly staff will help check you in as you warm yourself by the wood burning stove. Grab your key, find your bunk room and you’re off to enjoy a hot shower, a snack or even a short nap. Just make sure your snooze doesn’t make you late for the tour of the building at 5 pm. Here, you will get to see all the cool, innovative, green technology that makes this inn so special.
Oh, and these folks know how to cook! The delicious, hearty family-style dinner is served in heaping bowls by the incredible HI volunteers and kitchen staff. Two were even Trail Dames—thanks Fran and Christine! Everyone should know that the HI folks monitor their food waste by weighing all the scraps. I am pleased to report that The Dames in our usual conscientious fashion, received the coveted smiley face award because we saw that no food was wasted!
Afterward, we were honored to have Regina Reiter speak about her month long adventure on the BMT. She had finally—just the day before we arrived—accomplished her dream of hiking all 300 miles of the Benton MacKaye Trail in all four seasons…Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall! The slide show she put together showing all the scenery…the swollen streams, the heavy rains, and the snow and ice that she and her hiking partner, John, encountered were simply amazing! They are true adventurers that graciously shared their wisdom and hard earned knowledge to a room full of awe-inspired Dames!
Then, we were treated to the local Bluegrass and folk duo, who played into the night as Dames clapped, and tapped, and sang along. Their banjo and mandolin kept time with down home classics like Wildwood Flower and Shenandoah.
As the full moon light and starry night sky called us all out onto the deck there was—as always—some serious Trail Dame style socializing going on! Games were played, drinks were had, secrets were told, laughter rang free, and friendships were made…solid as secret oaths. This, after all, is the Trail Dame way!
But as some would say…all good things must come to an end. After a good night’s sleep and a sunrise that most of us will never forget, we talked at breakfast of all our fun and said our goodbyes slowly. We lingered in this special placed with each other as long as we could, then turned southward, retracing our footprints down the trail that seemed even more magical and beautiful than it had the day before.
Hike Inn….We can’t wait until next year. And actually, we don’t think we will…wait that is. You see, I think Regina truly has something with her “same Trail four season” Philosophy! Something tells us Spring is absolutely gorgeous along the Hike Inn Trail. Who else wants to join us?
Dennice D. Kerscher and Jules A. Burroughs
Posted 31st January by Georgia Dames