(Top) Plaque commemorating the Appalachian Trail at Amicalola State Park visitors' center, where the 8-mile approach trail leads to Springer Mountain and the head of the AT itself. (Middle) Highlighted driving route from the visitors' center to the AT head, accented by a feather the blogger found on the trail. (Bottom) The start of the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail. About 17 percent of the hikers who start at the southern terminus determined to hike through to the northern terminus in Maine make it.