Mulberry Gap Hike - Bike - Paddle - Swim - Hot Tub - Eat - Multi-Night

Mulberry Gap Hike - Bike - Paddle - Swim - Hot Tub - Eat - Multi-Night

The Basics:

Event Type:

Multi-Sport

Event Location:

Mulberry Gap Mountain Biker Get Away north of Ellijay, GA

Multi-Sport: Mulberry Gap Hike - Bike - Paddle - Swim - Hot Tub - Eat - Multi-Night

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Jun 24 2011 8:00 am >> Sun, Jun 26 2011 6:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:15 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, May 23 2011 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Jun 17 2011 11:00 pm

Event Duration:

2 Days 10 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D2: Easy to Moderate

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Grant Brown

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

$25.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

21 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Hi guys! I have spent an awesome weekend here in the past, and thought it would be great to bring a group back. It makes for a very cool base camp from which we can hike the Cohuttas, ride out and go mountain biking, or drive a bit to do some paddling on the Cartecay River. We will car camp in their campground, but you may choose to stay in one of their nice little cabins too. We will have a nice and clean his and her bathhouse and restroom within a short walk. The breakfast cabin is just a bit further. On Saturday evening we will eat a grand meal in the Barn on top of the hill. The whole place is really pretty, rustic, and off the beaten path - and the staff are very nice and helpful and just want you to relax and enjoy nature!

During the day we can do any number of activities. I have developed a general itinerary below. Within this order form you can indicate your preferences regarding activities. Basically, hiking, biking, and paddling groups can happen all three days. If you wish to do a Cartecay river trip, you will need to set that up individually with Cartecay River Experience and coordinate with other members of our group. I will share the activity spreadsheet so that folks can see who’s doing what when. But, you’re welcome to just relax and do some short local hiking. The staff at Mulberry can help you with that. Note, you may want to meet a group in Ellijay for a river trip prior to coming up to camp as it is on the way. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and just make the times and activities work for you. It’s all about relaxing and having fun.

Mulberry Gap is a private camping facility located about a half hour north of Ellijay off of Hyw. 52 near the southern end of the Cohutta Wilderness Area. It is known to mountain bikers, but is an ideal location for us to enjoy a multi-activity beautiful mountain weekend. An added bonus is the food! They do an awesome job cooking with a ton of local farm to table fresh foods. The sack lunch portions are big too. You will find the food service to be a real bargain for your cost.

You will need to complete this order form for food and accommodations. You are required to pay a minimum of $25 per day for one meal and a campsite stay. But, there are additions to food and accommodations that may interest you. The info is within the order form You will need to register and make payment by Friday, June 17, 2011.

Itinerary

*Note that check in/out times are flexible
Friday, June 24
8:00 meet carpool at Chastain Road Park ‘n Ride
10:15 check in at Mulberry, set up camp, pick up sack lunches
Noon eat picnic lunch at Tearbritches Trail-head in Cohutta before afternoon of hiking
5:00 get off trail and back to camp, shower, hot tub
7:00 cook dinner in camp or dinner at the barn
9:00 hang out together at the campfire, hut tub, game shed: ping pong, foosball, music playing - Grant’s Fun-time Campfire Songbook Now New and Improved w/clickable table of contents! [download it to your smart-phone and sing along!]

Saturday, June 25
8:00 breakfast
9:30 choose an activity group: hike [Chestnut Lead Trail in Cohuttas or a local hike], bike [your choice, several to choose from, ride out of camp], paddle [arrangements made with Cartecay River Experience in Ellijay], or just relax and read
7:00 dinner at the barn [optional, cost $15]
9:00 hang out together at the campfire, hut tub, game shed: ping pong, foosball, music playing

Sunday, June 26
8:00 breakfast
9:30 choose an activity group: hike, bike, swim, paddle, read
Afternoon load out and head back : (

Even after you have registered, feel free to check the Activity Groups Spreadsheet if you want to edit your initial submission or see who is doing what. Folks use this form to coordinate themselves for each day’s activities.

Required Costs:
$15 per person per day for campsite accommodation
$10 per person per day for your choice of all you can eat breakfast OR a sack lunch

Optional Costs:
$15 for dinners. We would like to all eat together on Saturday night.
$10 for an additional meal [breakfast/sack lunch]

FORMS OF PAYMENT: Mulberry Gap takes cash, check, or Visa/MasterCard.

You will book your river trip separately with Cartecay River Experience. We will coordinate who is interested in what activity via our shared activity groups spreadsheet.

Deluxe Package! You have the option to rent a cabin for $85 per person per night instead of car camping. This package includes breakfast, dinner, bed and bath linens and AC or fans.

They have some ice to sell, but it is suggested that you bring as much as possible for your needs.

CANCELLATION: This is the wording from Mulberry Gap website that will apply to us:
Cancellation policy?

We are reasonable people. Life happens and sometimes it gets in the way of your vacation plans. We will work with you to reschedule should you need to make a change. A cancellation fee to cover costs of food purchase will be charged if cancellation is less than 48 hours in advance.

You will need to review the cancellation policy of Cartecay River Experience if you make reservations with them.

As for my part, you will not be financially indebted to me or the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any fees for this trip.

Directions
Mulberry suggests using these directions as GPS is often unreliable in their area:
If you need the coordinates they are: 34.798536 N -84.609671

From ELLIJAY downtown square, take GA Hwy 52 W, toward Chatsworth. Go 9.3 miles, (watch for the green Lake Conesauga Recreation Area sign on L) turn R on Conesauga Road, which is also FS 18 and continue 3 miles (the pavement ends after 1.3 miles). Watch for our sign on the left, enter first driveway and follow signs.

From CHATSWORTH – From the intersection of US 411 and GA Hwy 52, a designated scenic byway, go east, following signs to Fort Mountain State Park (about 7 miles) and continue on another 5+ miles. Watch for the green Lake Conesauga Recreation Area sign on R but turn Left on Conesauga Road which is also FS 18 and continue 3 miles (the pavement ends after 1.3 miles). Watch for our sign on the left, enter first driveway and follow signs.

From ETON, (4.2 miles north of Chatsworth) At the stoplight (Shell Gasoline Station & Eton Hardware Store) go east and the road will become CCC Road at a fork in the road. Continue approximately 6 miles until the road turns to gravel. At that point the road is FS 18 or Holly Creek Road, which is a designated scenic by-way. Continue on another 5 miles. When you get to the crossroads, DO NOT make the turn toward Conesauga Lake, but continue straight another ½ mile. Watch for our sign on the right, enter the second gate and follow signs.

From Chattanooga:

(Recommended, shortest route that includes back roads but has 4.5 miles of scenic dirt/gravel mountain roads prior to Mulberry Gap)

I-75 to Exit 336 (Dalton, Rocky Face)

After exiting, turn right on Hwy 76

Proceed 6 miles, turn L on Hwy 52

Proceed 6.2 miles, turn L on Hwy 411 (Walgreen's on corner)

Proceed 4 miles to Eton, turn R on CCC Camp Rd

Proceed 5.8 miles (bearing L at St Clair's gas station) to FS 18

CAUTION – SLOW DOWN: At FS 18, the road turns to gravel/dirt.

The dirt road is not visible from the pavement but makes a fairly sharp

turn to the left so slow down prior to making that transition.

Follow FS 18 4.5 miles to Mulberry Gap which will be on R side of road.

Enter through gate that is past the sign. After entering through gate,

Go straight up hill toward private residence/registration.

Google Map Driving Directions:
Chastain Road Park ‘n Ride to Mulberry Gap Camp
Mulberry Gap to Cartecay River Experience
Mulberry Gap to Lake Conasauga [note Chestnut Lead and Tear Britches Trail Heads are on the way]

Info added after intitial posting:
Email from Mulberry: The only thing I would add is to the optional cabin rental. Tell them that includes breakfast, dinner, bed and bath linens and AC or fans.

I would also stress they print and follow directions from our website to Mulberry Gap because GPS systems often send people way out of their way to get here.

Also, concerning weather predictions - I will very honest with you about what we see. So, so often people cancel due to a prediction and nothing happens. Because of where we are nestled, the prediction doesn't apply. If the weather looks like it will be terrible, I am happy to reschedule the group.

You are not required to purchase a meal for Friday.

Grant’s Fun-time Campfire Songbook Now New and Improved w/clickable table of contents! [download it to your smart-phone and sing along!]

Required Items to Bring:

tent and sleeping gear
food and drinks for all meals, but we may go into town once or twice if we choose
hiking poles and appropriate shoes if going on Conasauga River Trial day hike
day pack or fanny pack for day hikes
bathing suit
sun screen
water bottles

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

musical instruments
singing voice
dancing shoes
byob

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

see description

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

150Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:15 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $60.00 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:

$25.00/Person

Cost Includes:

See descrition. The cost is a minimum of $25 per day for camping, bathhouse, and one meal. There are additional costs for dogs. There are additional optional costs as well.

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.
*Note:

Reservation cancellations are subject to Mulberry Gap policy. This is the wording from Mulberry Gap website that will apply to us:

"Cancellation policy?

We are reasonable people. Life happens and sometimes it gets in the way of your vacation plans. We will work with you to reschedule should you need to make a change. A cancellation fee to cover costs of food purchase will be charged if cancellation is less than 48 hours in advance."

You will need to review the cancellation policy of Cartecay River Experience if you make reservations with them.

Mulberry Gap Hike - Bike - Paddle - Swim - Hot Tub - Eat - Multi-Night - Fri, Jun 24 2011