AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Print-Friendly Version
Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)
Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar


REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Camping and Hiking - Grandfather Mountain, NC


The Basics:
Event Type:Camping
Event Location: Grandfather Mountain - Linville, NC
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jun 10 2011  5:30 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 6:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Apr 11 2011 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Jun 9 2011 6:00 pm
Event Duration:2 days 2 nights
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Trip Leader(s):
Jason Kotz
EB
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$10.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us as we hike our favorite Mountain... and our adventure will be the equivalent to outdoor caving :)

This is a D6 Hiking Event
 Total Miles = 14 miles (in one day)

A long section of the Grandfather Mountain Backcountry Trail has ladders that go up and down the side of the mountain, sections where you'll be scrambling on exposed rock, and areas where you'll use both hands to hold on to guide wires to move across slanted rock surfaces. We recommend that you be in excellent physical shape and that you not have an immobilizing fear of heights. Also, if you are not confident and comfortable with rock scrambling this is NOT the trip for you. You will be rock scrambling, as well as climbing up and down ladders, with your daypack on.

 



"Towering 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina, Grandfather Mountain is operated as a scenic travel attraction by the state of North Carolina and is designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve."

We'll leave the carpool and drive up to Banner Elk, NC where we'll throw up a couple of tents at the Grandfather Campground for about 8 hours of sleep. We'll get up super early Saturday morning, have breakfast and drive down the street to drop off our exit vehicles at the Profile Trail parking area.  Then we'll shuttle the remaining cars to the East end of the park along the Blue Ridge Parkway where we'll start our hiking adventure through the back country of Grandfather Mountain.

It's a slow climb 3 miles up the Daniel Boone Scout Trail with a couple stops at Flat Rock View and Top Crag View to take pictures.  We'll spend the next couple of hours slowly playing our game of Chutes and Ladders as we climb up and down ladders, scramble over and under rocks, and climb down metal guide wires as we follow the little blue arrows up, over, and around Grandfather Mountain.

Trekking poles are worthless on this section and will only impede your progress unless they can be securely stowed to a day pack.

We finish at the Grandfather Mountain Mile-High Swinging Bridge and gift shop. We'll stop and have lunch and if we have enough time we can take the extra mile round-trip to Grandmother View.

We'll head back up the mountain along the easier Underwood Trail, where we'll turn left on to the Profile Trail (There is also a place to stop and filter water near the trail junction) going down the North side of the mountain with a couple of nice views to stop at along the way back down to our exit cars. 

We'll shuttle over to retrieve our cars and then we we'll head back to the campground where we can cleanup and then we can drive to Blowing Rock or Banner Elk where we'll find a place to grab dinner and look around for a little bit.

Sunday morning we'll have breakfast and pack up camp and start our 5 hour drive back to Atlanta.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Hiking Boots/Hiking Shoes
  • Daypack
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Thermarest/Sleeping Pad
  • Camping Stove for breakfast
  • Water, either in camel back or nalgene carriers
  • Meals Needed:
    Dinner Friday - pickup on the way
    Breakfast Sat - Cook/prepare at campground
    Lunch Sat - eat on trail
    Dinner Sat - eat somewhere in Banner Elk or at campground
    Breakfast Sun - campground or on the road back to Atlanta. 

    Whatever trail snacks you would like.

Please see the AOC Camping Checklist for other required and recommended items.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • We highly Recommend Trekking Poles as we'll be doing a lot of elevation changes and sections will be over technical rocky terrain. During large sections of Grandfather Mountain, your trekking poles become a hindrance so you'll also want a way to stow your poles on your backpack.
  • Water filter or water purification tablets (we will have one water filter, but it is not recommended for a group of this size)
  • Lighter or matches
  • Semi-warm clothes--Even though it's mid-June, the wind is very heavy on top of the mountain and it can get down to upper 40's at night.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

View Larger Map
Grandfather Mountain Campground
125 Riverside Dr
Banner Elk, NC 28604
1-828-963-7275

  1. Merge onto I-85 N - 156 mi
  2. Take exit 78 toward Chesnee - 0.3 mi
  3. Continue straight - 43 ft
  4. Turn left at US-221 Entering North Carolina - 50.5 mi
  5. Turn left at NC-226/US-221 Continue to follow US-221 - 36.3 mi
  6. Turn right at Newland Hwy - 0.6 mi
  7. Turn left at NC-105 - 2.3 mi
  8. Continue on Woodchuck Rd - 0.3 mi
  9. Continue on NC-105 - 7.0 mi
  10. Turn right at Riverside Rd - 46 ft

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):520Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $208.00 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.

Member Cost:$10.00/Person
Cost Includes:

Campground fees for both nights of camping. Your trip leaders will collect your payments at the carpool (or at campground if you meet at event). Be sure to pay before you set up your tent.

Bring extra money and we'll go somewhere to eat Saturday night in Blowing Rock or Banner Elk, NC.
You may also want to bring a little extra cash for the Grandfather Mountain Gift Shop.  

 Be sure to bring additional cash for your drivers.

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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