Sun, Oct 19 2003 - Apple Tour and Hiking/Mountain Biking (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Patrick Barry Participants: Patrick Barry, Felix Marcet, Stacey Opaska, Nickolaus Padgett, Michelle Gildore, Susan Elizabeth Powell, Jason Yi, Sarah C Punshon, Lysle Stinocher, Circe Tsui

Write Up:
On a cool Sunday morning nine members made their way across HWY 52 to enjoy a scenic drive and to stop at a few apple orchards and to buy anything you could imagine made with apples. The most common purchases were fresh apples of various varietals, cider, fritters and bread. The warm, tasty fritters didn’t make it past the parking lot as we loaded up on pre-hike/bike snacks and washed them down with cider.

Once at Unicoi State Park the group split into five hikers and four mountain bikers. With the temperature in the 70s, the hikers began their trek through the woods and towards Helen, enjoying the bright colors of the leaves and the surrounding scenery. The biking group started the seven-mile trail with a progressive climb that made us wish we went hiking instead. The reward after the climb was an exhilarating downhill that had switchbacks and woop-de-doos. The biking group probably was about ½ way into the ride when the hiking group stopped in Helen and had a few beers taking in the sights and sounds of Oktoberfest. As the bikers passed near Helen we heard the music and again wished we were on the hiking trail. Both groups made it back to the parking lot on time for the trip home. Both the hiking and biking trails are well marked and in great shape
Written By: Patrick Barry
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