Iron Mine: Bike, Hike, and Swim at Red Top

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Iron Mine: Bike, Hike, and Swim at Red Top

The Basics:

Event Type:

Multi-Sport

Event Location:

Red Top Mtn State Park

Multi-Sport: Iron Mine: Bike, Hike, and Swim at Red Top

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Aug 28 2011 9:00 am >> Sun, Aug 28 2011 1:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Sun, Jul 24 2011 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Aug 26 2011 9:00 pm

Event Duration:

per itinerary

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Distance:

8.9 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Laura V

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

While not an Iron Man, this AOC "tri-athalon" will be held at the site of a former Iron Mine. This is a non-competitive event in a beautiful wooded setting with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery. Some D3 hiking and biking experience is recommended.

We will start off with a fun ride on the Iron Hill Trail. This 3.9 mile loop follows the curves of the Allatoona lake shore. This is a gravel trail, with a few easy uphills, but mostly level or downhill terrain. Hybrid or Mountain Bikes are required for this ride. Please note that road bikes are not suitable for this trail. This is a great ride for anyone who has never tried trail riding and is not even sure they will like it.

After a water break, we will load up our bikes and drive over to the Park Headquarters where we will lace on our hiking boots and head toward the Homestead Trail. We will hike at a moderate pace. Along the way, we will take a detour on the White Trail, a fairly level trail that runs along a small peninsula, ending at a scenic point at the edge of Lake Allatoona.

We will take short break to enjoy the view, and then hike head back to the Sweet Gum Trail which connects to the Homestead Trail loop. This scenic 3.5 mile loop trail winds along the shoreline and past some ruins of an old homestead which lend the trail its name. Note, we will only do the loop portion of this trail, not the 2 mile out and back portion from the Visitor Center.

After approximately four of miles of hiking, we will head down to the water to cool off with a dip in the lake and a break for lunch. We will finish the last mile or so of our hike and head back to the parking lot. The hike will cover a total of 5 miles.

This will be a fun, non-competitve event, but you must be in sufficient physical shape to complete a trail ride and a 5 mile hike with 850 ft elevation gain. Please make sure your bike tires are properly inflated before the ride.

For a trail map with more information about the trails go to
http://www.gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain-Hiking

We will meet at the Park Visitors Center (not the Park Office) at 9:00 a.m. to begin our adventure.

Required Items to Bring:

Hybrid or Mountain Bike (NO road bikes as we will be riding on a gravel trail)
Helmet
Water, at least 2 liters
Sturdy hiking shoes
A sense of adventure!
$5 State Parks parking fee or annual pass

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

Tire pump, spare tube, bike tools
Bike Rack with lock
Bathing suit and small towel
Lunch or trail snacks
Camera
Trekking poles

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Address/Directions
Red Top Mountain State Park
50 Lodge Rd SE
Cartersville , GA 30121

GPS Coordinates:
N 34.142950, W 084.706700

Located 45 minutes north of Atlanta near Cartersville, 1.5 miles east of I-75 exit #285.

Notes:

$5 Parking fee for Georgia State Parks.

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

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