FDR State Park - Wolfden and Dowdell Knob Loops - Sat, Aug 27 2011

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FDR State Park - Wolfden and Dowdell Knob Loops


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park - Pine Mountain, Ga.   Hike: FDR State Park - Wolfden and Dowdell Knob Loops  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 27 2011  8:30 am >> Sun, Aug 21 2011 4:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Aug 22 2011 12:01 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Aug 26 2011 6:30 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:14.7 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Mark
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
At 9,049 acres, Georgia's largest state park is a hiker's and backpacker's haven. More than 40 miles of trails, including the popular 23- mile Pine Mountain Trail, wind through hardwood and pines, over creeks and past small waterfalls. Many visitors are surprised to find rolling mountains 80 miles southeast of Atlanta. Above King's Gap is Dowdell's Knob where President Franklin D. Roosevelt sometimes picnicked and pondered world affairs. A life-size sculpture of the president now welcomes visitors to the overlook.


Wolf Den Loop:
(7.4 miles) is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of trail in the Southeast and is the most popular section of the PMT (Pine Mountain Trail). The loop is formed with the 2.4 mile White Candle Trail and 5 miles of the main PMT.
The trail begins a slight descent into the moist bottomlands of the forest. An old beaver pond soon becomes visible through short stands of cane and saplings. Falling gently with the forest ridges, the trail soon enters a small boulder field. Black and chestnut oaks along with hickory and short-leaf pines dominate the surrounding slopes. Sightings of wild turkey and white tail deer are frequent. Bobcats, gray fox and coyote are common. Shortly after the rocky slopes, you come to the first of many crossings of the shallow Wolfden Branch. The crossings can be made on well- placed stones. However, use caution, as the stones can be slippery. The trail winds among rhododendron thickets, Piedmont azalea, and mountain laurel. The forests along the creeks are made up of sweet gum, maple and long- leaf pines. The trail climbs in and out of the cool, damp bottomlands onto the drier, sunnier ridges. None of the climbs are excessively tiring, and switchbacks make up the longer ascents. The rewards are the impressive rocky ledges on the ridges and the cascades and waterfalls along the creeks. Before long the trail climbs onto the higher ridges and stays there for nearly the remainder of its length. Only as you close the loop will you pass through the bottomlands again. Once on the ridges, the trail follows the gentle ups and downs of the Appalachian Mountain foothills, through a mature hardwood and pine forest. Look for ‘Ferney', an ancient and huge pine near a bend in the creek. We will close the loop on the White Candle trail which is 2.4 miles from where we parked at the start of our hike. On this trail you will come to Odie Overlook, plan to stay awhile to take in the majestic views of this overlook, it will take your breath away. From Odie Overlook you will travel back to where you first started. This trail is great combination of waterfalls and overlooks to make a perfect day hike. We will stop at several spots along the trail for views, to take photos, dip our feel in the water, and pick one to have our lunch.
After completing the Wolf Den Loop trail, we will get back in our cars and take a short two mile ride to Dowdells Knob to hike the second portion of our trip.

Dowdell Knob Loop: (4.3 miles) This loop is formed with the 1.3 mile Boot Top Trail and 3 miles of the main PMT (Pine Mountain Trail). This trail passes through the Dowdell Knob overlook, the highest point in the county and FDR State Park. It is where president Roosevelt enjoyed picnicking and pondering affairs, while looking at the majestic views from this location.
 

Disclosure: Your TL, who enjoys exploring new places (to them, anyway) has not hiked these trails.  By all accounts these trails are well-marked, I have studied the guide books / maps, and will have these materials in hand as well as a GPS.  Nevertheless, please have a sense of adventure and be in sufficient physical condition to hike a little extra mileage if we miss a turn somewhere.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Water or sports drink - 2 liters minimum
  • Good Hiking Shoes
  • Lunch or snack 
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Hand towel to dry feet in case we want to wade in a pool below one of the waterfalls 

How to Get There:
Event Directions:We will begin the hike from the Rocky Point Parking Lot in the FDR State Park.  From the intersection of Hwy 190 (Pine Mountain Hwy) and US 27 / Ga 85 travel 2.1 miles west on Hwy 190 and the parking lot will be on the left.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):140Mile(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 $56.00 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.

Cost Includes:Share gas costs and parking fee with driver. The parking fee at FDR State Park is $5.00 per car unless you have a Georgia State Park Parking Pass.  If you have a State Park parking pass, please bring it with you whether driving your vehicle or not, so that it may be used by your carpool driver during the event.

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