Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #4 - Hightower Bald (4568’)

sponsor

Print-Friendly Version

Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)

Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar

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.

Summit GA's Highest Peaks: #4 - Hightower Bald (4568')

The Basics:

Event Type:

Explorer

Event Location:

Chattahoochee National Forest

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 27 2010 7:00 am >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 7:15 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Jan 11 2010 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Feb 24 2010 1:00 am

Event Duration:

per itinerary

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Advanced

Trip Leader(s):

Tony C
Scott Looper

Email Trip Leader(s)
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:

8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

The North Georgia mountains may not be the Rockies (or the Himalayas), but they include many peaks that make for superb hiking and offer incredible views. For this series, we are counting down the tallest mountains in GA.

For details on the other events in the series, visit the AOC forums...

Summit GA's Highest Peaks thread

#4 - Hightower Bald

Standing 4568' above sea level with 808 feet of clean prominence, Hightower Bald is within the boundaries of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest. There are cliffs on the south face of the mtn. Montgomery Corner and 30 Mile Post are also both located not far from the summit and mark the point where there is a north/south offset of the state line between Georgia and North Carolina.

This should be a very interesting and tough dayhike. Our plan is to drive to near Blue Ridge Gap and then hike north on the AT to near Bly Gap...at that point, we will leave the trail and bushwhack along the northern flanks of Rich Knob...then down into Hightower Gap and up and along the ridge to the Hightower Bald summit.

If you've ever been bushwhacking through dense foliage, you know it can be SLOW going at times...and rather frustrating. You need to have true summit fever to tackle this hike.

The road to Blue Ridge Gap is not great, so most likely we will park near the start of it and avoid the rough part. But we will only have to drive on the gravel part for maybe 1/10 of a mile, if that. However, that will add another 1.2 mi to to the hike....that first roadwalk part is steep, gaining 500 feet in .6 mi, so we'll take it slow starting out.

It is difficult to tell how long the hike will take but most likely all day. We will definitely keep the group close together the entire time (at least within earshot) and just proceed with caution...but this should be an exciting hike for sure.

This is an "Explorer" trip (hence the max group size of 8) because we have not scouted out the route up Hightower However there is info online that it is very doable. We will have maps, compass, plus GPS,...should be a fun adventure...

Summary:
Roadwalk to - 1.2 mi
AT Hiking: ~6.0 mi
buswhacking: ~2.8 mi

Total distance: ~10.3 mi
Total ascent: ~2600'

Click on elevation profile for larger version:

PLEASE NOTE:

If chance of precip is 30% or higher, the hike will be rescheduled for a later date.

Because this a D6 Explorer event, it is only open to those who have recently completed some tough AOC D5 hikes or backpacking trips,

Required Items to Bring:

emergency rain gear (even if chance of rain is minimal)

water

enough food to keep your energy level up

hiking boots or trail shoes

compass

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

trekking poles

camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Directions to trailhead will be given at carpool (or via email if "meeting at event").

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

190Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:15 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $76.00 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:

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

Cost Includes:

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