Ford the Chattahoochee: CRNRA Jones Bridge + Jones Bridge Park - Sat, Aug 17 2019

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Ford the Chattahoochee: CRNRA Jones Bridge + Jones Bridge Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Johns Creek, GA   Hike: Ford the Chattahoochee: CRNRA Jones Bridge + Jones Bridge Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 17 2019  12:00 pm >> Sat, Aug 17 2019 3:00 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Aug 15 2019 8:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Aug 17 2019 11:40 am
Event Duration:Approx 3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:6.8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join me for an adventurous hike, covering two different parks, and including a double fording of the Chattachoochee River. 

This is entirely a hike and not a combo event of hiking & swimming.  We should be able to walk across the river, with the water never getting very deep.  There are a few steps where it may come up to your lower chest (depending on how tall you are) but it is usually below waist deep and often only up to your ankles.  The current is not strong here, and there are always people out in the middle of the river, fishing and playing.

We will start by hiking about 3.6 miles in the Jones Bridge unit of the CNRNA, long enough to get in a good workout and feel the summer heat... so the water will feel even more refreshing.  We will make a quick stop by the cars, to adjust our gear and then head out into the Chattahoochee. 

First we will make our way out to the middle of the river, and hike around the little island there.   We can spash around and take a snack break.  It is a nice place to hang out and relax. 

Then will head the rest of the way across, hiking north not far from the shore, until we hit dry land again and up onto a trail at Jones Bridge Park. 

This is a Gwinett County Park, and while there aren’t a lot of trails here, we should be able to get about 2 1/2 miles in.  There is even a little waterfall on the route, although it could be dry in the summer.  But after that, we will head back about the same way across the river and to our cars. 

Of course it is always safety first on AOC events, so I will check to see the water release schedule from Buford Dam, and we will be sure to not be out there during or after a release.  They don’t often have them on Saturdays, but I will double check. 

(If by some unforeseen circumstances the river did rise dramatically while we were on the other side, I would Uber a few drivers back over to get some cars and shuttle everyone back.  However, this would be very unlikely.) 

And this event is extra weather dependent, because we don’t want to be out there in the middle of the river during a lightning storm.  However the forecast says Sunny and 10% chance of rain on Saturday, so we should be good. 

Trekking poles are required for the crossing, just to give you added balance and stability.  We will stop by the cars before we get wet, so you can leave some items in there or put them in a dry bag or swim buoy for the river hiking.

Totals:

CRNRA Jones Bridge – 3.6 mi

Chatt River – 0.7 mi

Jones Bridge Park – 2.4 mi

Total- 6.8 mi, 510’ ascent

Here is our route, and you can download the GPX file if you wish from the CalTopo site:


Required Items to Bring:

Trekking poles

Trail food

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

Trail snacks

Camera

Water


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

There is a $5 parking fee if you don't have an annual parking pass. 

From GA 400, take exit 7a, and head East 4.1 miles through the intersection of Holcomb Bridge and Nesbitt Ferry Road to the junction of Barnwell Road. Turn left on Barnwell Rd, and travel approx 1.6 miles (be sure not to turn into the first gate, but go to the second entrance) to Jones Bridge Branch which will be on the right. Turn in and go to end of the road where there is a large parking lot ad kiosk if you need to purchase a parking pass.

GPS coordinates:  34.001270, -84.236756

Google Map:  https://goo.gl/ma ps/wHjAFtSvw4B2


Notes:

There is a $5 parking fee if you don't have an annual parking pass. 

Trail Map:  https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/T railMapJones.pdf


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


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