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Summit Sunset Series #6 - Blood Mountain Fourth of July picnic and fireworks




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Jul 4 2010  4:00 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 4:15 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jun 21 2010 9:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Jul 3 2010 11:00 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
Steven R
Al Z.
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:5
Number Registered So Far: 15 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

This is sixth in the Summit Sunset Series where we will enjoy sunsets from some of the finest scenic viewpoints in GA...all on or near mountain peaks.  If you've never had this experience, you don't know what you're missing, so time to find out...

Ok that pic above is perhaps a slight exaggeration, but here's the deal... a friend if mine told me about an experience she had a few years ago when she was camping on the top of Blood Mountain.   It was July 4th and she says could see two or three fireworks displays far below in the distance in various spots around metro ATL.  This year some of those may have their fireworks on Sat, the 3rd instead, but others are still doing some on the 4th.  But I figure any excuse for a sunset hike is a good one, so we will give it a shot and see what we can see. 

Blood Mountain stands 4458' above sea level with 1516' feet of clean prominence.  It is the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail.  There are various theories on the origin of the mountain's name. Some believe that the name of the mountain comes from a bloody battle between the Cherokee and Creek Indians. Others believe that the name is based on the color of the lichen and Catawba rhododendron growing near the rocky summit.

It is about a 2.2 mile hike up and gains about 1450'.  This is usually done as a D4 hike, but pace is everything.  So we are just going to go slower and transform it into a D3 on this occasion.

On the summit, we will take in the views and indulge in a self-catered picnic buffet (Be sure to bring something to share).  Weather permitting, we will have a sweet sunset to enjoy at 8:52 PM.  Then we will hopefully see some fireworks and perhaps do a little stargazing too.

We'll head down sometime between 10:30 - 11:00 PM...another hour get down to the trailhead and then the drive back...will be a late night but should be well worth it.



This photo was is from the first sunset hike I ever went on myself: AOC Blood Mountain on 10/29/06 led by Steven Koonce.


Required Items to Bring:
  • some food to contribute to picnic...doesn't need to be anything fancy
  • at least 2 quart/liters of water 
  • hiking boots or trail shoes

    •  

    		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:

    From Dahlonega, take Hwy 60 north. At Stonepile gap, bear right, staying on 19/129. Proceed 13.6 miles and turn left into the Byron Herbert Reece parking area.

    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 4:15 pm
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 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:NA

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
    *Note: This event will be cancelled and rescheduled in the case of bad weather.