AtlantaOutdoorClub
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.



Dockery Lake to Preaching Rock, via Appalachian Trail CHANGED to Blood Mtn


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Lake Winfield Scot, north of Suches, GA (changed)
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 19 2011  8:30 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 14 2011 9:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Mar 18 2011 9:05 pm
Event Duration:8.5 +/- hrs, hiking and drive time
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Kristi
Doug L
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:16
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:
NOTE added Friday, March 18:  the road to Dockery Lake remains closed for the winter, so the group will go to Plan B and hike Blood Mountain, starting from Lake Winfield Scott instead.  This is a 7.5 mile roundtrip hike, rated D4.  There is a considerable elevation gain to get our hearts pumping.  We'll plan to have lunch at the top of the mountain, where we will linger for a while to soak in the views.

Are you looking to challenge yourself beyond the local Kennesaw and Stone Mountain hikes?  Have you been sitting too much in the cubicle?  Need to stretch the legs and challenge the lungs a bit?   And yet, still, enjoy the beauty of the true Appalachian mountains, take some photos, get a re-newed attitude in the quiet still of the bare winter landscape?!

We will go at a steady, average to moderate pace, with some stops to take breaks and pictures on the trail.  If you're looking for a fast hike or need to get back early, this hike is probably not the hike for you.

This is an in and out hike with a total distance of 10.2 miles and vertical rise of 1,550 feet. Overall, the hike offers views of Dockery Lake, scenic creeks, dark hemlock forests, and vistas from Preaching Rock. It is among the closest to Atlanta of any hike in the Blue Ridge.  I have used copy/some words from previous trip leaders here, so thank you Tom J and John W!

This hike starts at Dockery Lake just 12 miles north of Dahlonega, GA. We will go 3.6 miles on the Dockery Lake Trail to reach the Appalachian Trail. We will then make a left on the Appalachian Trail and continue hiking for 1.4 miles until we reach Big Cedar Mountain. A blue-blazed side trail will take us to a scenic overlook called Preaching Rock. Here, at 3,600 feet, we will have a south-easterly view of the mountains, valleys, and Piedmont. From there, it's back down the way we came, back to our cars.

Group willingness, we will have dinner afterwards on the drive back to the carpool in Dahlonega at http://www.yahoolacreekgrill.com/ or Dawsonville at Johnny's Pizza.    :-)

Required Items to Bring:
2 liters or more of water
Trail food/lunch
Hiking boots or shoes
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
You may wish to bring
Camera
Hiking Poles- for balance
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back
Emergency rain gear

How to Get There:
Event Directions:North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at the Chevron station make a left onto US-19/GA60 until you reach Dahlonega. We will make a pit stop at the McDonalds there.  It will be on your left on US-19/GA-60 in Dahlonega.  From Dahlonega, take GA 60 north for 12 miles. Turn right at the sign for Dockery Lake on Forest Road 654 for 1 mile. Pass through the campground, then stay right to reach the day-use parking area. The Dockery Lake Trail starts on the right side of the parking area.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):115Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $46.00 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.


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