SASSAFRAS 11 - MILER (PART OF A PLANNED 25 HIKE SERIES) - Sat, Dec 28 2019

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



SASSAFRAS 11 - MILER (PART OF A PLANNED 25 HIKE SERIES)


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Suches, GA
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Dec 28 2019  7:00 am >> Sat, Dec 28 2019 3:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Dec 18 2019 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Dec 27 2019 7:00 pm
Event Duration:8 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:11.4 Miles
Pace:Fast
Trip Leader(s):
Gary 'L'
RonnyJ (Call me Ron)
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
The 25 Hike Series 

This "in and out" is one in a planned series of 25 weekend "in and outs" that will run in an ongoing rotation over a long number of months.  I am not saying an AT "in and out" will happen every weekend or every month but I will work these treks into the AOC schedule when I can.  The rotation affords one the opportunity to cover the entire 175 miles of the Appalachian trail south end from the AT south gate of Smoky Mountains National Park to the AT archway of Amicalola State Park.  That's a total of 350 miles of "in and outs".  This series gives a hiker yet another goal to set.  Come enjoy!  

These hikes also offer the option of staying in low-cost hiker hostels (just ask Gary about his experiences with them) at the end of the day and make the weekend into two day hikes.

This Hike 

For the Sassafras hike, we will climb 1347 feet  during the 5.7 mile first half and then turnaround at Justus Creek and climb 1637 feet during the 5.7 mile second half.  With total climbing of 2984 feet and hiking 11.4 miles, these measures make this a D5 trek, hikes which are characterized as difficult, a challenging climb, and a faster pace.

As a D5, we will require recent Difficult (at least D4) experience for your enjoyment as well as the crew's pleasure of hiking together at a faster pace.  The crew will be supported by one Team Leader taking point and the other taking sweeper in alternation.

While this hike may be characterized as a ridgewalk, we will climb two mountains, Sassafras Mountain and Justus Mountain.  Be sure to bring your lunch for a quick mountaintop picnic.  The trail will pass a large old growth oak, take a nearly unrelenting climb of Sassafras, and will pass several towering rock outcrops as it winds through sharp switchbacks.

 

 


Required Items to Bring:

2-3 liters of water

layered synthetic clothing 

rain jacket for wind and because you never know about mountain weather

lunch and trail snacks

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

treking poles for a little help up and down mountains and over streams

sunglasses

compact umbrella

hat and gloves

shoes that already have miles on them


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

If you are not taking the car pool option, please meet us at the trail access at 8:30am.

There is no privy nor water at the trail access so we suggest a stop in Dahlonega at the McDonald's (or the convenience store across the street from the McDonald's may have larger restrooms and save you time)

Following the GPS directions will lead you past parking and trail

access at Cooper Gap and Horse Gap.  We are going to the 3rd

access which is Hightower Gap and will park there.

Here is a link to Google Maps that will take you to Hightower Gap:

https://goo.gl/maps/WQBiqL3aHYfyzirH7

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):103Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $41.20 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:

There is no cost for parking at the park and ride nor at the trailhead.


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