IronHike Amicalola Falls Appalachian Trail Approach Fall

IronHike Appalachian Trail Approach Fall Series at Amicalola Falls State Park 2026

IronHike runs a multi-day, elevation-based endurance series on the Appalachian Trail Approach staircase at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. The event uses a 1.5 mile lap on the Approach Trail that includes 604 stairs up, 604 stairs down, and about 604 feet of elevation gain per lap. The series spans sessions with check-in midweek and events through Sunday in early December 2026.

Events are time‑based endurance efforts rather than races; there are no podiums or age group awards. Participants may take part solo, as a Trail Buddy pair, or as a Trail Family of four. Safety and support include trail marshals from the Cadre who trek alongside participants, medical support on call, and a base camp station with hot beverages and supplied nutrition products. Mountain Athletes receive personalized bibs, summit tokens, finisher medals, and an orange finisher hat. Tent camping near the course is free for Mountain Athletes; the summit lodge and cabins are available for those who prefer a bed and on-site restaurant access.

Key event options and their lap totals and stair counts include:

• Kuwohi - 12 hours, 11 laps, 16.5 miles, 13,288 stairs
• Double Kuwohi - 24 hours, 22 laps, 33 miles, 26,576 stairs
• Answer the Bell Basic - 24 hours, 24 laps, 36 miles, 28,992 stairs
• Denali - 48 hours, 34 laps, 51 miles, 41,072 stairs
• Everest - 72 hours, 49 laps, 73.5 miles, 59,192 stairs
• Answer the Bell Full - 84 hours, 84 laps, 126 miles, 101,472 stairs
• Olympus Mons Ultra - 84 hours, 120 laps, 180 miles, 144,960 stairs

Notes: headlamps and warm layers are required for events 24 hours and longer; drive times from nearby cities and airport access are listed by the organizer. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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