Mountain Crossings — Attraction in Dahlonega

I had such high hopes for this place...but it fell short...very short. The "experts" here, really only seem to be experts in trying to talk you into using what they sell, not what you need. Some prices are above MSRP, which employees tell you is because the manufacturers required them to do that. Product knowledge is very limited in certain areas...especially when it comes to stoves, their uses, their function, and their maintenance. They advertise "mail drops" are free, but a $1 donation is appreciated...then tell you you HAVE to pay to get your mail drop (even when spending $$$ in their store). They advertise they have water for those camping behind the facility and pay showers, then shut the water off without an alternative water source available, leaving hikers stranded without water, and tell hikers that planned a shower there based on their advertisements, they don't offer pay showers. I witnessed these issues happen to multiple hikers, all within one visit there!

RESPONSE (to Mountain Crossings' response):

The item my son purchased was actually $5 over MSRP. I double checked on Therm-a-Rest's website and later on my distributor's website.

We WERE told we HAD to pay the $1 (technically they charged us $2 since we had 2 small boxes that arrived the day before we got there). The issue is the store staff would not give my son the boxes without paying the "donation", thereby, it is no longer a donation, by definition! He actually didn't have money on him, so he had to go fetch me at our campsite on the trail to get his debit card. He ended up purchasing the item that was $5 over MSRP and they added the $2 to the total for the boxes.

There were no employees when we arrived, the store was already closed when we came through. We found the water source on the side of the building on the overlook, but the water had been shut off. Based on your website, we had planned that as our next water source, so we were relying on the advertised water for both our drinking water and our camp water. Again, the issue is, your website advertised water was available on the side of the building. We did utilize the water the next morning, once it was turned back on.

I was not there for a shower, several female hikers were there for the shower, but like me, they actually read that showers were available for a fee on your website, not the guidebooks...I even looked it up for them when we were sitting there and it indeed was still being advertised on your website.

After listening to advise given to others by your staff, I can assure you that they were giving out misinformation to hikers. Telling them they were using the wrong equipment, when the equipment they had was perfectly fine for the journey they were on. On the subject of stoves, the male staff member clearly did not have a well rounded knowledge about stoves. Granted, I have stoves older than him, so there is only so much knowledge he could have, but he clearly did not understand the purpose of different stoves!

So, unfortunately, I have to stand by my review. By all means, it's great to have the store there, it would just be nice if the staff were trained better on both product knowledge and the store's SOP/Policies and that the store's website was...

Wow. Whatta store, place to visit - destination! - if you are a camper, hiker, or just love the thrill of exploring. While not the biggest "shop" in the world (it's no Walmart!) this store/destination offers everything you need for camping, hiking, or whatever. There are tents, shoes, boots, sleeping bags, stoves, trail food (survival food as well!) plus some outstanding views and items of interest outside. Don't miss the photo opportunity of shoes & boots in the trees - and if you're a hiker/camper with an old pair you're willing to to 'donate' you might want to bring them & add them to the tree - make a little mark on history for others to see, appreciate, and enjoy. :-D A gathering place for hikers (some doing the Appalachian Trail), this place stays rather busy with folks who, usually, have a story or two to tell if you engage with them. There are a few trails outside which lead to outlooks, or you can enjoy the view through the store's great big bay window. This is also the site of several historical markers - read them! They offer interesting insights into the area & the land, as well as educational and informatiion you may find useful, especially if you are interested in hiking or camping in the area. A definite "must see - must visit" store & location, I highly recommend dropping by if you have the interest and the time. A unique place in a unique location with some very interesting and unique history behind it. I plan on stopping again to see this store & enjoy it, and the location. I would recommend you try to plan & put it in your trip as well. It makes a nice break on the road, offers something interesting to see and do, and might even inspire you to try some of the trail hiking & crowd.

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Very cool place to visit before you start the AP! Check out all the hikers' old boots in the tree out front! If you need any last min gear, then they are very well stocked, but it might not be the brand you want. They carry top of the line gear and the prices match. Very cool place. The lady behind the counter was very knowledgeable, and there was a man in the back helping a father and son get fitted for some ultra light sleeping gear and other misc gear. He was very thorough in helping them get the exact gear they would need for the type of trip they were taking. They would be hiking along the AP for a few days and camping each night where they stopped for the day, and it was very cold. Me and my significant other didn't make it very far after leaving the place and going hiking. We ate some mushroom gummies that seemed to have kicked in pretty fast and hard for my partner. After about a mile or so up the trail, she informed me that her legs didn't work anymore and that she was lying down. That was pretty much the last intelligent response I got out of her that day, and her legs indeed didn't work anymore until the following day... And no, I didn't leave her.. I took each bag back to the vehicle and then any heavy clothing/gear [as many oz's] that I could before finally carrying her over my shoulder. It took a while, but after about 2 hours and carrying her one more time up the ladder to our bed in the loft, I was able to settle in front of a fire at the cabin and let those gummies, that I had been holding back for dear life, pull me...