Cumberland Island Backpacking

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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 through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.

Cumberland Island Backpacking

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Backpacking: Cumberland Island Backpacking

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Oct 22 2011 8:15 am >> Sun, Oct 23 2011 5:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 5:00 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Aug 8 2011 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Sep 15 2011 10:00 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 9 Hours 15 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Scott
Laura

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:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island, and it is our favorite place in Georgia to go backpacking. Pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, wide marshes, wild horses, and historic sites are just a few of the reasons that make Cumberland Island special.

Saturday 10/22

We will meet at the dock in St. Mary's at 8:15 AM on Saturday morning to check-in and board the 9:00 AM ferry to Cumberland Island. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes to reach the island, and from there we will meet with the rangers for a short orientation, pay our camping fee, and receive our campsite assignment.

Backcountry campsites at Cumberland Island are not assigned until arrival, so the distance from the Sea Camp dock to our site could vary between 3.5 and 10.5 miles. Our plan is to camp at Stafford Campground which is located 3.5 miles from the dock. Stafford is the most developed of the backcountry sites with restrooms, showers, and fire rings, and it is also the closest site to the beach.

The other backcountry sites that we could be assigned instead include:
- Hickory Hill: 5.5 miles from Sea Camp, in the heart of the island, offers a fascinating close encounter with an intriguing interior freshwater wetland and its wildlife. Due to being located in a wetland area, bugs are often prevalent.
- Yankee Paradise: 7.5 miles from Sea Camp, also in the center of the island and a half days walk to and from the Plum Orchard Mansion.
- Brickhill Bluff: 10.5 miles from Sea Camp, located on the Brickhill River. A favorite place for seeing dolphins and manatees.

The terrain at Cumberland Island is pretty flat, and we intend to backpack to the closest site available; however, please be prepared to backpack the entire 10.5 miles.

After setting up camp, you will have a chance to explore the island by joining us on a day hike or just relaxing at the beach.

Sunday 10/23

On Sunday after breakfast, you have the option to join us on a ranger-led tour of Plum Orchard Mansion. We will hike back to the Sea Camp dock in order to catch the 12:30 PM ferry to Plum Orchard. It is roughly an 8 mile (45 minutes by ferry) trip to the mansion where we will spend up to 2 hours touring the house and grounds with National Park Service staff. Plum Orchard is an 1898 Georgian Revival mansion building by Lucy Carnegie for her son, George and his wife, Margaret Thaw. The ferry returns to the Sea Camp Dock promptly at 4:15 PM, and from there we will return to St. Mary's. The cost of this optional tour is $6.

If you choose to explore the island on your own on Sunday, please be sure to allow ample time to hike back to the Sea Camp dock by 4:15 PM to board the ferry to return to St. Mary's.

We will arrive in St. Mary's at 5:30 PM and then head back to Atlanta.

Required Items to Bring:
Hiking Boots
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleep Pad
Food (2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1-2 Dinners, and Snacks)
Cookware and Utensils
Water
Flashlight
Extra Clothes

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Hiking Poles
Stove
Water Filter (Trip Leaders will have one as well)
Bug Spray
Sunscreen
Matches/Lighter
Towel
Rope
Trash Bag

Flyer of Cumberland Island Important Backcountry Facts and Suggestions

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take Exit 3 from Interstate 95. The exit ends at a stop light. Turn onto Highway 40 going East. Follow Highway 40 East into St. Marys. Once you reach the historic district, turn right at the stop sign onto St Marys Street. The NPS visitor Center is in the blue building and the Ferry dock are both located on the left.

Day and overnight parking is located behind the NPS administrative building, the Bachlot House located across the street from the St. Marys Waterfront Park.

Map

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

0Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

5:00 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Notes:

Island Map - http://www.nps.gov/cuis/upload/IslandMap.pdf

This event is rain or shine.

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.

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$25.00/Person

Cost Includes:

Ferry ride to Cumberand Island from St. Mary's

In addition to the $25 paid to the AOC for the ferry reservation, upon arrival to Cumberland Island, the following fees will be collected by park rangers:
- $4.00 Entrance Fee (unless you have a National Park Pass)
- $2.00 Camping Fee
- $6.00 Plum Orchard Mansion Tour/Ferry Fee (Optional)

If you are on the registration list and miss the payment deadline, you will be removed from the trip. It will be your responsibility to add yourself back onto the trip or wait list if you desire.

Payment Cut Off:

Payment must be received by the AOC on Thu, Sep 15 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: This event is rain or shine.

If you cancel on or before September 15th, full payment is refundable less a $5 administrative fee. No refund after September 15th unless someone from the waitlist replaces you and pays in full. In that case, you are eligible for a full refund less the $5 administrative fee.

Please allow two days for processing a PayPal transaction, and allow seven days (from mailing date) for a check to be processed. So both should be sent well in advance of the payment cut off date.