Ready for a Challenge? Rocky and Tray in the Same Day - Sun, Jun 30 2013

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Ready for a Challenge? Rocky and Tray in the Same Day


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Unicoi Gap near Helen GA   Hike: Ready for a Challenge? Rocky and Tray in the Same Day  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Jun 30 2013  9:15 am >> Sun, Jun 30 2013 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Jun 13 2013 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Jun 29 2013 6:00 pm
Event Duration:Per Itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:11 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Andrea Nunn
Chris H
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Tray Mountain, with an elevation of 4,430 ft, is the seventh highest peak in Georgia and is within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest.  The mountain is referred to by some as the grandstand for viewing the Nantahala Mountains in North Carolina and the rest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia.

We will begin our hike at 9:15 am at Unicoi Gap, which is north of Helen, GA. We will ascend 1,125 feet to the top of Rocky Mountain, descend 975 feet to Indian Grave Gap, and then ascend 1,400 feet to the top of Tray Mountain, where we will stop for a 30-minute lunch and take a detour to one of the best overlooks in Georgia.  We will then descend Tray and ascend Rocky Mountain again.  We should return to the carpool location no later than 5:00 pm.

NOTE:  This event is intended for people who have recent D5 hiking experience.  For beginner hikers, unless you have completed a half marathon, this is NOT the hike for you.


Trail Itinerary:
Ascend 1,125 feet to the top of Rocky Mountain at 1.3 miles
Descend 975 feet to Indian Grave Gap at 2.6 miles
Ascend 1,400 feet to the top of Tray Mountain at 5.1 miles
Total Ascent (round trip): 3,500 feet
Miles 0.0 parking area, trail begins at far end
0.3 right switchback left switchback
0.6 step across small stream
1.0 trail levels off somewhat
1.3 top of Rocky Mountain
1.4 break in foliage offers good view on right (the half dome, south, is Yonah Mt.)
1.5 beginning of frequent views right, begin descent down right side of ridge
1.7 right, then left, switchback
2.6 Indian Grave Gap
3.3 cross dirt road
3.4 trail levels off somewhat
3.6 cross gap
4.1 rock outcropping on right provides good winter view grassy road on left
4.3 Tray Gap, bear right across roads
4.4 first of several switchbacks
4.9 rocky outcropping on left with good view, right switchback
5.1 top of Tray Mountain



Required Items to Bring:

3-4 liters or more of water
Trail food/lunch for the top of Tray Mountain<br

 

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles for stability

Rain gear (even if it is clear day with a 20 percent chance of rain)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at Chevron station. continue on GA 115. Go 4.8 miles where GA 115 meets GA 52. Turn right. Continue on GA 115 for 12.5 miles and turn left on Wilford Ash Parkway.  After 0.4 miles, Wilford Ash Parkway becomes GA-75.  Stay on GA-75 thru Helen.  From Helen it is about six miles to Unicoi Gap, where you will see hiker crossing signs.  This means the AT is coming up. You will see the parking lot on the right.  If you start going much downhill, you have gone too far.

On the way back, you do not want to go thru Helen due to the congestion.  Before Helen take a right on Alt-75 and follow that to US 129.  Take a left there and follow that back to Wilford Ash Parkway and take a right.  This takes you to GA-115 where you take another right.  From there, you can follow the way you came back to Alpharetta.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):140Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $56.00 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:

Rain or shine unless thunderstorms.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Late cancellations, particularly within 24 hours of the event make it difficult for those on the wait list to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.