Area: Dawsonville → Nimblewill → FS 42 → Springer Mountain
Time: 4–6 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (paved mountain roads + beginner gravel with weather variables)

Fuel up before you hit gravel.

• Downtown Dawsonville cafés 
• Grab-and-go breakfast near GA-53 
• Trail snacks + ice before heading north 

From downtown Dawsonville:

• Take GA-9 North 
• Turn LEFT onto Auraria Road 
• Continue until pavement narrows and becomes Nimblewill Church Road
   

4 

Find the dense tree canopy corridor.
Line up your Jeep centered beneath the tunnel of trees.
Portrait orientation photo required.

Research on-site or beforehand:

What year was the Nimblewill settlement first referenced in Lumpkin County records?

Photo proof = posted sign or screenshot.

Pick up at least 3 pieces of trash at a safe pull-off.

Continue uphill until pavement ends.
Follow signage toward Forest Service roads.
Turn onto FS 77 (gravel begins).
Follow until intersection with FS 42.
Turn RIGHT onto FS 42.

4 

Air down (optional but recommended).
Log starting PSI.
Drive at least 3 miles of gravel.

Look for:
• Rock outcrops
• Shadowed ridge lines
• Appalachian Trail signage

4 

Primary destination: Springer Mountain

Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail

Park at Springer trailhead lot.

Hike approx. 0.5 miles to summit.

Photo proof required:
• Bronze AT plaque
• Jeep group shirt or decal
• Group summit shot

Answer this:

What year was Springer Mountain officially designated as the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail?

Photo proof = plaque or posted trail info.

Back at parking area or along FS 42:

Find a safe turnout with:
• Mountain backdrop
• Layered ridge view
• Jeep angled toward horizon

Landscape orientation shot required.

Document:
• Wild turkey
• White-tailed deer
• Red-tailed hawk
• Chipmunk

Photo or short video proof.

If you meet an AT hiker:
• Wish them luck
• Ask where they’re headed
• Capture pack + trail shoe photo (respect privacy)

Brew coffee trailside using camp stove or tailgate setup.
Photo required.

Continue downhill until pavement returns.
Turn RIGHT toward Dawsonville.

• Big D’s BBQ — easy parking 
• Dawsonville Pool Room — classic chili dogs 
• Casual dining options along GA-53 

Turn LEFT at pavement.
Follow GA-52 back over the mountain.

Food stops in Ellijay:

• Grumpy Old Men Brewing 
• Cantaberry 
• Rooftop square dining options 

Answer three:

• What year did the Appalachian Trail officially extend to Springer Mountain?
• Approximately how long is the full Appalachian Trail?
• What national forest surrounds Springer Mountain?

START: Dawsonville fuel corridor

Segment 1:
GA-9 North → LEFT on Auraria Road → Continue to Nimblewill Church Road

Segment 2:
Follow Nimblewill until gravel → Continue to FS 77 → RIGHT onto FS 42

Segment 3:
FS 42 approx. 2.8 miles → Springer Mountain parking lot

Segment 4:
Return same way → Choose Dawsonville or Ellijay finish