6/25/09 - Len Foote Hike Inn, Dawsonville, GA

The only way into this incredible place is the 5-mile hike from Amicalola State Park. The Hike Inn is a sustainably designed Georgia State Park facility nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest, just a few hours north of Atlanta. Its four main buildings offer twenty private guest rooms, hot showers, fresh linens and home-cooked meals.

The Hike Inn’s mission is to make experiencing nature easy, and help protect it through education and recreation. A moderate five-mile hike from the top of Amicalola Falls, the Hike Inn is open year round.

Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT, is a 4.4-mile hike (8.8 miles round trip) from the Hike Inn. Most guests who hike to Springer Mountain spend two nights at the Hike Inn, allowing a full day for the hike.

The name Leonard E. Foote is not accidentally linked with the Hike lnn's unique backcountry setting, commitment to the outdoors, and mission of teaching conservation ethics, outdoor safety, and preservation of wilderness. Leonard was a leading conservationist, biologist, and nature photographer who lived and worked in Georgia until his death in May 1989. Mr. Foote was the model for the series "Mark Trail." Leonard Foote was a man of many talents and abilities that he devoted to preserving and studying the beauty of the outdoors. We hope to carry on his work by offering people not only a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but also the tools to treasure and protect the beauty they see.

Mike checking into Len Foote Hike Inn. Each guest is given a bag that contains sheets, pillow case, towel and wash cloth. Each guest makes their own bed and then strips it when they leave, putting the dirty linens and towels in the bag and depositing it in a container outside the lobby.
The lobby. On the back wall are various old backpacks. It is amazing to see how they have changed over the years.
This is the view from outside out room looking down the walkway. To the right leads to the bathhouse and to the left is the lobby.
This is the walkway from the lobby to our room.
Len Foote Hike Inn is not a hotel. There are 20 bedrooms (hey call them bunkrooms). The rooms are all alike, except the 12 rooms that adjoin adjacent rooms for the convenience of families and groups of more than three persons. Each room is small with minimal amenities — a bunk bed (double-decker, extra long, single mattress), shelves, a stool for sitting and a mirror. And while the rooms are private, the walls are thin.
Len Foote Hike Inn is not a hotel. There are 20 bedrooms (hey call them bunkrooms). The rooms are all alike, except the 12 rooms that adjoin adjacent rooms for the convenience of families and groups of more than three persons. Each room is small with minimal amenities — a bunk bed (double-decker, extra long, single mattress), shelves, a stool for sitting and a mirror. And while the rooms are private, the walls are thin.
Entrance to the Bath House.
This is the hallway for the showers and toilets. To the right are the women's showers and the left are the men's. At the end of the hall are the toilets.
Women's shower room.

24 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the southern roof of the Sunrise Room produce approximately 10 percent of the Hike Inn’s total electricity. Hot water at the bathhouse and for housekeeping comes from solar-thermal water heating systems that reduce fuel costs as well as the Hike Inn’s carbon footprint. Partners who helped in attaining and installing these systems included Southface, Soenso Solar Energy of Georgia and BP.
The Hike Inn uses odor-free composting toilets that help save more than 250,000 gallons of valuable drinking water every year. IT IS TRUE, there is absolutely no odor! There is a heater in the bathroom so during the winter it is nice and warm.
The Sunshine Room offers guests a library, board games, puzzles, a wood-burning stove, and a wrap-around porch with an eastern-facing view. Many guests make a point of getting up early to see the sun break.
When we were there they had this fascinating arrangement where bees would come in from the outside. There was a hive build in a plastic area where you could watch the bees' activities.
When we were there they had this fascinating arrangement where bees would come in from the outside. There was a hive build in a plastic area where you could watch the bees' activities.
Mike (in red) and Jody, fellow guest, enjoying the deck outside the Sunshine Room.
The Len Foote Hike Inn offers guests two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, both served family style to allow guests and staff to meet, talk and get to know each other. Breakfast is served at 8:00a and dinner at 6:00p.
This is the self-serve beverage bar in the dining room area.
Some of the staff at The Hike Inn cooking up something good for breakfast.
Some of the staff at The Hike Inn cooking up something good for breakfast.
Guests enjoying a meal family style.
There are 4 main buildings that house the guest rooms, bath house, dining room and Sunshine Room.
There are 4 main buildings that house the guest rooms, bath house, dining room and Sunshine Room.
There are 4 main buildings that house the guest rooms, bath house, dining room and Sunshine Room.
There are many paths and nooks and crannies to explore and enjoy.
There are many paths and nooks and crannies to explore and enjoy.
There are many paths and nooks and crannies to explore and enjoy.
The outdoor theater area.
Mike and Jody enjoying a relaxing afternoon talking and getting to know each other as they view the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
On the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the Hike Inn’s Star Base, a massive granite block formation, channels the rising sun through a cylindrical hole to the back of a small cave behind the formation.

Designed by Atlanta’s Fernbank Science Center, Star Base marks the extremes of the summer and winter solstices, as well as the four main points of the compass. It’s also a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the Hike Inn’s Star Base, a massive granite block formation, channels the rising sun through a cylindrical hole to the back of a small cave behind the formation.

Designed by Atlanta’s Fernbank Science Center, Star Base marks the extremes of the summer and winter solstices, as well as the four main points of the compass. It’s also a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Hike Inn uses recycled barrels to collect rainwater to irrigate our native plants and trees.
The Hike Inn uses recycled barrels to collect rainwater to irrigate our native plants and trees.
The bees were very busy when we were there.
The insects were busy as well.
The insects were busy as well.
The insects were busy as well.