Len Foote Hike Inn Midweek Trip at Special Club Rate!
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The Basics: |
| Event Type: |  | Adventure | |
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Event Location: | |
60 Mi N of Atlanta, just N of Amicalola Falls State Park
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| Date(s) & Time: | | Wed, Sep 21 2011
12:15 pm >> Thu, Sep 22 2011 12:15 pm (Carpool Departure: 10:30 am *log in for location*)
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| Registration Opens:
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Wed, Jul 27 2011 10:00 pm
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| Registration Cut Off:
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Fri, Aug 26 2011 5:00 pm
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| Event Duration: | | Wed morning thru Thu midday (+ Opt. extra Thu night!) | |
| Difficulty Rating: | | D3: Moderate | |
| Distance: | | 10.6 Miles | |
| Pace: | | Leisurely | |
Trip Leader(s):
| | Charlie Cottingham
Bobby Marie
 Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
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| Member Cost: | | $71.25/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below) |
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| Participant Info: |
| Who's Invited: | |
Members Only, 21 And Older Only
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| Maximum Group Size: | | 18 |
| Minimum Group Size: | | 6 |
| Number Registered So Far: | |
15 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
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| Are Dogs Permitted: | |
No
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| Itinerary: |
IN A NUTSHELL: If you enjoy wilderness hiking and adventure, great food, a comfortable bed, and clean restrooms with hot showers—this trip is for you! The Len Foote Hike Inn is situated atop a scenic overlook more than 3000' above sea level in North GA's Chattahoochee National Forest. Its only guests are hikers, who can access it via two different beautiful 5-mile trails of moderate difficulty. The trailhead & parking lot (for both trails) adjoins the top of one of America's highest waterfalls in spectacular Amicalola Falls State Park.
You're sure to enjoy the Hike Inn's meals, refreshments & amenities, lush surrounding forest, mountain vistas, well maintained trails, and friendly staff. For this special Wed-Thu Fall Equinox trip (with option to extend your stay till Friday) our friend Eric Graves, Exec. Director of the Inn, has offered the Atlanta Outdoor Club a nicely discounted rate. Our trip fee includes the usual comfortable accommodations (2 twin beds per room), delicious hot dinner and breakfast served in the dining hall, an entertaining evening program, and unlimited use of the Sunrise Room and other amenities. Your trip co-leaders can facilitate pairing you with a compatible and friendly AOC roommate if you don't find one for yourself.
EXTRA THURSDAY NIGHT OPTION! If you like, you can arrange to extend your stay and spend Thu night July 22 also. This will give you more time on Thu to relax and enjoy the Inn or to dayhike the AT Approach Trail between the Inn and the official southern end of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain (about 9 miles round-trip). The friendly Dining Hall staff can provide an optional nice bagged "Trail Lunch" for a $6.00 fee. (Note correction about lunch fee since article was first posted.)
Although you pay the AOC Treasurer for your FIRST Night, July 21, the Hike Inn prefers that each AOC confirmee who wishes to spend that 2nd night call the Inn reservations number ASAP and privately reserve your Thu room (800-581-8032 and/or email Reservations@hike-inn.com). If you make a 2nd-night reservation you should arrange independent payment to the Hike Inn (easy by phone with a credit card). If you desire a roommate to share your room expenses for your 2nd night that will be your responsibility, although we AOC co-leaders may be able to facilitate this. Your 20%-discounted room & meals rate for Thu will be $128.80 if two of you share the room (=$64.40 each) or $89.70 (the single-occ rate if you don't find a roommate to join you).
TRIP PLAN:
WED SEP 21: If you prefer, meet us at 10:30 AM for optional "general carpooling" (from GA-400 & Mansell Rd - see below). At 12:00 Noon our entire AOC group will assemble at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center (directions below) where we'll introduce ourselves and check in formally with the Park rangers for the hike. The rangers will issue each driver a special Parking Pass good for the duration of your Hike Inn stay ($5 per vehicle, or free if you have a valid 2011 DNR Annual Parking Pass).
At 12:15 PM we'll caravan from the Visitor Center up to the convenient parking lot for the Len Foote Trail trailhead near the top of Amicalola Falls. After a short stroll over to the top of the Falls and a group shot or two, we'll begin our hike to the Inn—usually about 2.5 to 3 hours. (We may divide into two hiking groups, one to take the "Len Foote Hike Inn Trail" and the other to take the "AT Approach Trail," each a bit more than 5 miles. The trails both take us past several high ridges and overlooks, and over a few rocky streams. Suddenly we're there.
The Hike Inn is surrounded by a lush forest of mountain laurel, rhododendron, and majestic hardwoods, and in its yard is a fertile organic garden and enough open space for great stargazing on clear dark nights. Upon arrival (about 3:00 PM) we'll enjoy complimentary drinks and goodies in the dining hall and check into our bedrooms. Each guest is issued a set of fresh linens, including sheets, pillowcase, towel, and washcloth. Warm blankets are kept in each room and electric heaters are also available if needed. The centralized men's and women's bathrooms are spacious and clean, with hot showers, sinks, and toilets.
After settling in we can hang out in the spacious "Sunrise Room" with its wide assortment of board games, cards, puzzles and books. We can relax on its porch overlooking the mountains, play a game of horseshoes, or explore the Inn's special self-guiding Nature Trail. At 5:00 each afternoon the friendly staff offers a tour of the eco-friendly, award-winning Inn and at 6:00 rings the dinner bell. Everyone gathers in the dining hall for a hearty family-style dinner followed by an entertaining evening program—then there's socializing, games & singing in the Sunrise Room and great stargazing, weather permitting.
THU SEP 22: If the weather cooperates, morning will reward early risers with a spectacular sunrise (~7:15 AM EDT) viewable from the Stonehenge-like "Starbase," whose cave and pointer stones are aligned with the rising sun on the fall & spring equinoxes. Other stones point to sunrise on the summer & winter solstices. This trip has been carefully planned to coincide almost exactly with the FALL EQUINOX when the sun is directly above the equator and will shine at dawn through a hole in the Starbase stones to the back of the Starbase cave. Think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!
Delicious hot coffee and tea are available as early as 6:00 AM. At 8:00 AM we'll gather once more in the dining hall for a hot hearty breakfast.
Most of us (except for those of us who have arranged to spend the extra night) will plan to check out and depart the Inn at about 9:30 for our return hike back to Amicalola Falls. We suggest that each party hike back via a different trail than you hiked in on, but feel free to "do your own thing" if you prefer hiking independently - the trails are very well marked. For most of us our "ETA" back at the cars will be about 12:15 PM Thursday, which should give our carpool groups plenty of time to arrive back in Metro Atlanta before rush hour traffic gets too bad.
OPTIONAL EASY FALLS-VIEW HIKE! Before departing the Park feel free to join Charlie and Bobby for an easy hike to a beautiful view of Amicalola Falls. This 20-minute-roundtrip hike begins and ends at the "West Ridge" parking lot that's about halfway down the mountain from our overnight Parking Lot atop the Falls.
RAIN OR SHINE EVENT: All Hike Inn trips are considered "rain or shine" events. The Inn's policy is not to issue refunds or credits for late cancellations except for unusually extreme weather such as hurricanes or ice storms. If rain is expected we suggest keeping handy in the top of your pack a compact umbrella (and/or other lightweight raingear). The Inn itself provides great weather protection and we've always enjoyed trips there even when it's been stormy.
OR MORE on the LEN FOOTE HIKE INN, go to their excellent website: http://Hike-Inn.com/
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Required Items to Bring:
WEAR:
• Well-broken-in Hiking Boots or Athletic Shoes,
• Synthetic or Wool-Blend Socks (avoid cotton),
• Comfortable lightweight Clothing Layers appropriate for weather, including Raingear if the forecast so indicates.
• Sunscreen, Insect Repellant & Cap.
BRING:
• Trekking Poles or Hiking Stick if you have and like to use.
CARRY a LIGHTWEIGHT DAYPACK containing:
• Liter of Water (or "Camelbak hydration system)
+ perhaps a couple of Snack Items
• Mini-Toiletry Kit w/ Toothbrush & Paste, Shampoo packet, etc.
• Mini-Wallet with ID Cards and a little Cash for Parking, T-Shirts, etc.
• Small Headlamp or Flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Consider also bringing in your pack your Camera (w/extra Battery/Memory stick), a change of dry Socks & Underwear, and a compact Umbrella if showers are expected. | | Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
A sunny disposition, a can-do attitude, and vim, vigor & vitality!
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| How to Get There: |
| Event Directions: | |
DIRECTIONS from GA-400/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in N ATLANTA (Sandy Springs) to AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK (about 60 miles or 90 minutes):
1) Go North on GA-400/US-19 N about 42 miles. (En route, pass at about the 10-mile point our optional GA-400/ Mansell Rd carpool meeting place near Roswell.)
2) Turn Left onto GA-136 (This turn is about 3 mi. beyond the busy built-up GA-53 intersection which is south of Dahlonega. GA-136 is also called Harmony Church Rd.)
3) Follow GA-136 westward for about 17.3 miles.
4) Bear Right off GA-136 onto GA-183 (a.k.a. Elliott Pkwy) and go about 1.1 miles.
5) Bear Right onto GA-52 East and go 1.6 miles.
6) Turn Left onto Amicalola Falls State Park Rd and go only about 1/4 mile to the State Park Visitor Center on your right. As discussed above we'll meet here to check in with the Park rangers, get out 2-day special parking passes and assemble for the hike. The State Park phone number here is 706-265-4703.
FOR A CUSTOMIZED MAP AND DIRECTIONS from your point of origin to the Park Visitor Center, go to Google.com/maps and input the following address as your destination. This address may also be useful as a destination for your vehicle's GPS navigation system.
240 Amicalola State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA
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| Carpool to Event Distance (round trip): | | 104Mile(s) |
| Carpool Departure Time: | |
10:30 am
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| Carpool Location: | |
Log in for location
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| Carpool Directions: | |
Log in for directions
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| Carpool Cost: | |
Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $41.60 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.
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| Notes: |
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC: - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.
- Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.
- Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.
- No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.
- Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events. |
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| Cost & Payment: |
| Member Cost: | | $71.25/Person |
| Cost Includes: | |
• Wed Sep 21 overnight Lodging at Len Foote Hike
Inn (double-occ, 2 twin beds per room—roommates facilitated by Trip Leaders).
• Wed. Dinner & Thu. hot Breakfast in Dining Hall,
• Wed evening Program & Entertainment.
• Use of Sunrise Room, Hot Showers, and other amenities.
Payment may be made via PayPal, PC Banking or Check. It is your responsibility to make sure the AOC Treasurer (Treasurer@atlantaoutdoorclub.com) receives your payment by the Aug 26 due date—otherwise your registration may be deleted and someone from the wait list invited to replace you. Allow at least two days processing for PayPal or PC banking and at least a full week for a mailed-in check.
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| Payment Cut Off: | | Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, Aug 26 2011. |
| Make a Payment: | | Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW. |
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: • If you cancel on or before Aug 26, full payment is refundable less a $5 AOC administrative fee. NO refunds after Aug 26 unless someone from the event's official wait list replaces you and pays in full, in which case you would be eligible for a full refund less the $5 administrative fee.
• Event is rain or shine, however the trip co-leaders may cancel if unusually extreme weather conditions, etc. are forecast, in which case full refunds would normally be issued. No refunds or further-discounted rates for partial attendance.
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