Beech Creek Trail and Big Scaly Mountain

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Beech Creek Trail and Big Scaly Mountain

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Tallulah River Basin

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, May 9 2009 8:00 am >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Tue, Apr 21 2009 10:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, May 7 2009 11:55 pm

Event Duration:

All Day

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Trip Leader(s):

Geri Dominguez

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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:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Join us on an adventure through the Tallulah River Basin, where we will tackle a Moderate to Strenuous 9+ mile hike with 2500+ feet elevation gain, and a couple of ankle to mid calf deep water crossings. Wildflowers should be in bloom, and the rain has livened up the creeks and falls that we will encounter.

We will begin our adventure on the Beech Creek Trail and traverse clockwise as we climb from 2350 feet to about 4500 where we can take a side trail to Chimney Rock (it is 120 feet wide at base and 150 feet high with a view from the summit). From there we will go back down to the trail and climb to Case Knife Gap, where we will take the Big Scaly Mountain Nature Trail. This side trail is 1.6 miles round trip, and worth every step. It leads into a lush forest through canopies of rhododendrons, and to the summit of a little over 5000 feet with fantastic views.

After playing in this area we will again head back to the main trail and continue to High Falls (another side trail will take us to the falls which are about 100 feet tall). From there, we will continue our descent (in some places quite steep and rocky) to an old corundum mine ruin. We will then cross the creek several times and we may or may not need water shoes depending on the rocks and how high the water is, but bring them just in case! From there, we will take a side trail back to the main road.  This trail has a short but steep climb and then a short downhill back to the road.

We will stop for dinner in Clayton on the way back (optional).

Notes:

- We will set up a shuttle for the 1.2 miles between the trailheads.  It's a short walk, but trust me it seems super long and boring when you are tired from the hike.
- The second half of the trail has some steep and rocky descents, so please ensure that your knees are in good condition before attempting this hike. Trekking poles are highly recommended for this section.
- Depending on the day, it can be chilly to cold at the high elevation, so don't forget to layer up!

Required Items to Bring:
Lunch
Snacks
At least 2 liters of water
Hiking boots/shoes
A sense of adventure

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

Trekking poles- highly recommended
Water shoes for water crossings toward end of hike
Rain gear
A change of clothes/towel
Plastic bag for muddy boots

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

85 North
985 to Clayton, GA
Left on Hwy 76 West for about 9 miles
Right on Persimmon Road
Left on Tallulah River Road
Travel for about 9 miles thru the scenic city of Tate to the second trailhead (at the end of the road)

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

200Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $80.00 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:

Are Dogs Permitted? Yes, but must be well behaved and able to complete this 10 mile strenuous hike, including water crossings. There is a limit of 3 dogs on this hike so please account for them in your registration.

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, not in severe weather.

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

Cost Includes:

Share gas expense with carpool driver.

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