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Whiteside Mountain + Scaly Mountain




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: nr Highlands, NC   Hike: Whiteside Mountain + Scaly Mountain  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 17 2015  8:00 am >> Sat, Oct 17 2015 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Oct 14 2015 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Oct 16 2015 7:00 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:12 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Dorothea
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:9
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

For a change, all forecasts agree that Saturday will be cool and sunny with narry a cloud in the sky. Let's make the most of the day and enjoy one of best “great views” hikes in the area. The leaves have started to turn, so the views should be fantastic. 

To maximize the views, I have put together a two-part hike, separated by a short drive. The first part of the hike entails a 45 minute-drive from Clayton through Highlands to the parking area of popular Whiteside Mountain. As we will be early, however, it should not be too crowded. We will ascend a short distance to the top of the plateau and do a loop-hike around its perimeter, enjoying an almost continuous view in all directions. Taking the side trail to the Devil’s Courthouse will make it a 3-mile hike. There is a great lookout at Devil's Courthouse, where we can have lunch. For the second part of the hike, we will drive back the way we came (20 minutes) until we reach the Osage Mountain overlook/parking area, where we will commence the main hike of the day, an in-and-out hike on the Bartram Trail over Scaly Mountain (8.8 miles). A 1.5-hour ascent takes us to the third of the three 180-degree lookouts on the top of Scaly. We then descend the north side of the mountain to Tessentee Creek (about 1.25 hours), where we will turn around. We should be back at the cars by 5:30 or 6:00, depending on how long we tarry at the lookouts. There is a $2 parking fee at Whiteside Mountain.

We will be hiking at a moderate pace, taking time to enjoy the views and to snap pictures. On Whiteside Mtn we need to hike as a group. For the Scaly Mtn hike, faster hikers who know the trail can go ahead, but we will regroup at designated spots.

We'll have dinner in Clayton afterwards. If you cannot stay for dinner, please carpool with other hikers who cannot stay for dinner or drive to Clayton in your own vehicle and join the carpool there.

I am looking for a volunteer to coordinate the carpool at Indian Trail Park&Ride. The group should arrive in Clayton shortly after 9:15. We'll have a comfort stop at the Clayton Ingles, where I and anyone else "meeting at event" will join the group.


Required Items to Bring:

hiking boots; 2 litres water; lunch; a warm layer (it ain't summer any more)

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

bag for dirty boots, if you intend to ride in someone else's vehicle; sunscreen; hiking poles; spare t-shirt


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From the park and ride take I-85 North to I-985 North. I-985 turns into GA 365/US 23/US 441. Continue to the Ingles in Clayton for a comfort stop and for meeting the leader. Once back in the cars, continue north on 441 about seven miles to beyond Dillard, where you make a right on GA 246 in the direction of Highlands, NC. This road turns into NC 106 at the NC line. Travel about 13 miles to Highlands. NC 106 ends at the traffic light where it intersects with US 64 (Main St). Turn right on US 64 and drive through downtown Highlands, about 2 blocks. At the next light, turn left on US 64 (also signed as 4th St). After 5 miles turn right towards Whiteside Mountain parking area.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):225Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $90.00 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:

I will be contacting you if you have not recently done a D5 hike to determine whether this is a suitable hike for you.


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


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