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Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Release, Panther Creek Falls, w/ Fall Foliage




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Tallulah Falls, Georgia   Hike: Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Release, Panther Creek Falls, w/ Fall Foliage  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Oct 30 2011  8:45 am >> Sun, Oct 30 2011 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:45 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Fri, Oct 28 2011 12:19 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Oct 29 2011 10:00 pm
Event Duration:8 Hours 15 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:8.5 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:14
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Come join us on a trip to Tallulah Gorge to view an Aesthetic Water Release, walk the rim trails, and take in the beautiful fall foliage colors. We will view water flows of 5 times the normal level through the gorge and over various falls.  We will hike the North Rim trail, Inspiration Trail, down across the suspension bridge, down to Hurricane Falls platform near the base of the gorge, up to the South Rim Trail, and loop back around to the visitor center.

We will then leave Tallulah Gorge SP and drive about 5 miles south to Panther Creek Recreation Area. From the parking area, we will then hike the scenic Panther Creek trail about 3.1 miles (6.2 round trip) to beautiful Panther Creek Falls.

The weather forecast for Tallulah Falls on Sunday is for Sunny skies with a high of 62 degrees! And I was just at the Gorge a few days ago and the foliage is about at its peak color.


These aesthetic water releases only happen on a limited number of dates each year. Tallulah Gorge is one of Georgia's most dramatic and scenic natural features, but since 1912 a hydroelectric dam has tamed the historic power and beauty that made the area falls famous. Now the water flows through the gorge at a highly reduced level of only 35-50 cfs (Cubic Feet per Second). Lucky for visitors, recent revisions to the dam operation policy in the 1990s have helped to restore the gorge and its falls to their full thundering glory. Visiting the gorge during one of these release events you will quickly understand why the falls were given names like Tempesta and Hurricane. The aesthetic release restores the gorge's historic brilliance by increasing the water flow to 200 cfs, over 5 times it's current normal flow. By bringing the water flow back to more historic and natural levels visitors get a rare chance to experience the park's sites and sounds as visitors once did. Due to the increased water levels, there are no gorge floor access permits issued during aesthetic releases.

Note: This hike is rated a D4 difficult level. It will be on the easier side of a D4, but if you have not recently hiked D4 (or above) hikes, the trip leader may be contacting you to determine if this hike is appropriate for you.


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking shoes
Lunch
Water (1.5 liters minimum, 2 liters recommended)
Clothes appropriate for weather conditions. (cooler in AM, high of 62 deg) 

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Camera

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):156Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:45 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $62.40 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:
There is a $5 State Park parking fee per vehicle at Tallulah Falls SP unless you have an annual pass, and a $3 fee at Panther Creek recreation area. This cost should be split by all members in the carpool.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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