Bag Four 5000 ft Balds on the Rim Trail

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Bag Four 5000 ft Balds on the Rim Trail

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Fires Creek Recreation Area near Hayesville, NC

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Sep 11 2011 7:30 am >> Sun, Sep 11 2011 7:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Wed, Sep 7 2011 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Sep 10 2011 8:00 pm

Event Duration:

All Day

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Distance:

9 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Scott Bennett
Scott Kozlowski

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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:

5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Want to enjoy 4 Appalachian Balds over 5000 feet in 1 day? Temperature in the high 60’s? This Sunday is the day for some early fall Bald Bagging along the seldom trod Rim Trail within the Nantahala National Forest.

Take the time to enjoy this prime section of a high ridgeline trail within the surprisingly remote Fires Creek Recreation Area. For the most part this is a loop trail with approximately 9 miles roundtrip hiking.

We’ll start the adventure with a 10 mile ride up Forest Service Rd 340 (4x4 recommended) to the trail head at the end of the road. From here we will hike just over 2 miles up (UP!!) the Sassafras Trail (elevation gain +/-1300 ft) to its junction with the Rim Trail. We’ll turn east on the Rim Trail and quickly approach Weatherman Bald (4960 ft) pass through County Corners (5149 ft) and continue on to Signal Bald (5240 ft) and then to Tusquitee Bald (5240 ft). Apparently Tusquitee has been recently cleared affording spectacular views of the surrounding area including Lake Chatuge and over to Brasstown Bald. We’ll stop here to take in the views and enjoy lunch.

Continuing on down from Tusquitee on a short section of the Chunky Gal trail we quickly rejoin the Rim Trail and gradually climb to the summit of Potrock Bald (5215 ft) named for the rock along the trail that appears to have a carved hole attributed to Native Americans.

After enjoying the 180 degree view from Potrock Bald we'll turn around and head back a short distance on the Rim Trail to the intersection with Far Bald Springs trail for a rapid 2 mile (1400+ elevation loss) decent back to the trailhead.

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Required Items to Bring:
• 2+ liters of water
• Trail snacks
• Lunch
• Good hiking boots/shoes (No Tennis Shoes or Sneakers !)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
• Hiking Poles/Stick would be very helpful
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Jacket /light sweater for cooler weather

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Directions Given at Carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

250Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $100.00 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:

•This is NOT a beginner hike.
•This hike is rated in the higher range of a D4, which is a moderately difficult hike. The terrain is diverse, so please make sure you are in good physical condition. We'll be keeping a good moderate pace, but also taking time to explore because there is a lot to see on this trail.
•Please make sure you are in good physical condition and have hiked an 8 to 10 mile moderately difficult hike in the past month or so.
•If you have bad knees or issues hiking downhill, then this is not the hike for you.

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

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