Cloudland Canyon - Sitton’s Gulch Trail and Bear Creek Backcountry Loop | |||||||
| The Basics: | |||||||
| Event Type: |  | Hike | | ||||
| Event Location: | | Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738 | | ||||
| Date(s) & Time: | | Thu, May 1 2025 9:00 am >> Thu, May 1 2025 3:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:15 am *log in for location*) | | ||||
| Registration Opens: | | Thu, Apr 24 2025 7:00 pm | | ||||
| Registration Cut Off: | | Wed, Apr 30 2025 5:00 pm | | ||||
| Event Duration: | | 6 Hours 30 Minutes | | ||||
| Difficulty Rating: | | D5: Difficult | | ||||
| Distance: | | 13 Miles | | ||||
| Pace: | | Moderate | | ||||
| Trip Leader(s): | | Leigh B Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information. | | ||||
| Member Cost: | | None | |||||
| Participant Info: | |||||||
| Who's Invited: | | Members Only, 21 And Older Only | | ||||
| Maximum Group Size: | | 10 | |||||
| Minimum Group Size: | | 3 | |||||
| Number Registered So Far: | | 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area) | |||||
| Are Dogs Permitted: | | No | |||||
| Itinerary: | |||||||
We will start the day on the Sitton's Gulch trail at beautiful Cloudland Canyon State Park. Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia's most scenic state parks. This trail has us descending steep stairs from the canyon's rim down to the canyon floor. We will see two large waterfalls, Cherokee and Hemlock Falls. (which I hope will be as pretty as I remember them but all dependent upon recent rainfall). We then reach the rocky canyon floor and hike along a very pretty creek for a total of 3 miles and then retrace our steps which requires us to climb back up 900 ft on the stairs to our starting place. After our first adventure, the real fun begins. We will regroup and head down towards the Bear Creek Backcountry Trail. This trail meanders down to a beautiful creek and yes, you will have to take off your boots, put on some water shoes and cross it as it comes at least up to the knees! I have done this before in very cold weather and it was hilariously invigorating but for a few seconds completely frigid. However, I am hoping that as its May it might not be quite so freezing. Best advice is get across quick. After our creek crossing adventure we will complete the gorgeous loop and then guess what? You get to cross the frigid creek again, but this time you know what you are in for. Water shoes and poles are a must for this hike please. This will be my first water crossing since recovering from some bone-breaks so I will be taking it very carefully indeed. I have led this hike before but it has been a while and even though ALLTRAILS is our friend, honesty makes me inform you I will be studying the route at intersections etc. I am anticipating a pace of about 2.5mph overall. Not crazy fast. We will stop and eat a quick lunch at some point during the day and there will be time for photos. Only hikers with recent D5 experience and able to cross a deep river should sign up for this hike. | |||||||
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| How to Get There: | |||||||
| Event Directions: | |
We will start at the Interpretive Center parking | | ||||
| Carpool to Event Distance (round trip): | | 180Mile(s) | |||||
| Carpool Departure Time: | | 7:15 am | |||||
| Carpool Location: | | Log in for location | |||||
| Carpool Directions: | | Log in for directions | |||||
| Carpool Cost: | | Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $72.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances. | |||||
| Notes: | |||||||
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* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events. | |||||||
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy. | |||||||