Fall Color Photo Hike - Tallulah Gorge State Park

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Fall Color Photo Hike - Tallulah Gorge State Park

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Tallulah Falls, GA

Hike: Fall Color Photo Hike - Tallulah Gorge State Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Nov 6 2011 7:30 am >> Sun, Nov 6 2011 6:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Sep 22 2011 8:30 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Nov 5 2011 4:00 pm

Event Duration:

10 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)

Distance:

8 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

John Christopher

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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:

9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

The fall color season is here again! Join me for a fall color photo hike in the North Georgia Mountains. Along with an invigorating hike, we'll take time to photograph the 1000 foot gorge, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. This weekend will be the first asthetic release of water through the dam during the fall. Not only will we see fall colors, we'll see the river and waterfalls at full flow. The water releases occur only twice a year. So this is a special treat.

Photo Hike: This hike will be geared toward the hiker that wants to balance exercise with the chance to enjoy the scenery. We'll take a moderate pace and allow for breaks at scenic spots. Photographers of all levels and abilities are welcome. Please bring your point and shoot camera, SLR, or other favorite camera. Click the following links for information on why leaves change colors in the fall and on general tips for photographing fall colors. For general info on photography, see photo.net.

Tallulah Gorge Mountain State Park:
One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks that provide spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Exhibits in the park’s Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center highlight the rich history of thisVictorian resort town, as well as the rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem of the area. Additionally, an award-winning film takes viewers on a dramatic journey through the gorge.

The Hike - Our plan is to take a moderate pace around the North and South Rim Trails while taking ample photographs of the scenery. Then we'll pick up the pace a bit for a brisk walk through the high bluffs trail. The water release is held only on the first three weekends in November. The scenery should be spectacular.

North and South Rim Trails - 3 miles, round-trip. Mulched surface with exposed roots. Rated moderate.The North and South Rim Trails consist of 3 miles round-trip which will take approximately 2 hours to hike. It is a mulched trail with exposed roots that is a leisurely walk.

North Rim Trail - This trail has five Scenic Overlooks described below:
1. Best southern view into the gorge. Oceana Falls is below, with Bridal Veil Falls at the far end of the gorge.
2. View of L’Eau d’Or (pronounced Ladore) Falls, top of Tempesta Falls, and Hawthorne Cascade and Pool. Gorge depth is 350 feet.
3. View of L’Eau d’Or Falls, Hawthorne Pool, and remains of a water compressor plant used in building Tallulah Falls Dam.
4. Good view of Tallulah Falls Dam (completed in 1913) and upper portions of the gorge.
5. View of upper gorge and southern view to Hawthorne Pool and Overlooks 2 and 3. Gorge depth is 250 feet.

South Rim Trail – Approximately 3/4-mile one-way, moderate with inclines. This trail has five Scenic Overlooks described below:
6. View of Hawthorne Pool, North Rim Trail Overlooks 2 and 3, top of Tempesta Falls and down gorge towards Hurricane Falls.
7. View of Hawthorne Pool, Tempesta Falls and Pool. Gorge depth is 400 feet.
8. View of Hurricane Falls and Pool, “Devil’s Pulpit” outcrop below, and the Interpretive Center is across the gorge. Gorge depth is 500 feet.
9. View of Hurricane Falls, Oceana Falls, Caledonia Cascade (600 feet), and North Rim Overlook 1. Gorge depth is 650 feet.
10. View of Caledonia Cascade and the Wallenda north tower area. Bluff to far right is approximately 1,000 feet high.

High Bluff Trail - 4 miles, round-trip. Compacted red dirt. Rated moderate.

NOTE: Since I have not been on all the trails before, this will be an exploritory trip. However, this is a well marked state park trail, we'll have good maps from park officials, and there will be other hikers along the way to help if needed. With this in mind, please have a sense of adventure and openness to experience.

Free Downloadable Trail Map! Use the following link for the State Park's beautiful color topo map that clearly shows all of the trails. (Free copies of these nice maps are available now in most of the GA State Park Visitor Centers upon request, so don't forget to stop by and ask for one!)

http://www.gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge-Hiking

If constant rain or severe thunderstorms are forecast, I may decide to postpone the event, in which case I'll try to notify everyone no later than Saturday Morning, Nov 5.

Required Items to Bring:
• Camera
• Wear comfortable well-broken-in hiking boots or shoes.
• Hydrate in advance and carry least 2 liters of water or sports drink.
• Bring a picnic lunch and/or trail snacks.
• Bring cash for your share of the $5 state park parking fee and carpooling expenses.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Trekking Poles or Hiking Stick

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr
Tallulah Falls , GA 30573

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

160Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 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.

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