Summit Sunsets: Mount Yonah & Pink Mtn - Fall Color Photo Hike - Sat, Nov 5 2011

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Summit Sunsets: Mount Yonah & Pink Mtn - Fall Color Photo Hike


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cleveland, GA   Hike: Summit Sunsets: Mount Yonah & Pink Mtn - Fall Color Photo Hike  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Nov 5 2011  12:30 pm >> Sat, Nov 5 2011 10:43 pm  (Carpool Departure: 11:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Nov 1 2011 8:35 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Nov 4 2011 7:00 pm
Event Duration:Per Itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:7.7 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
Richard K
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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:5
Number Registered So Far: 14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

This another in the Summit Sunset Series where we will enjoy sunsets from some of the finest scenic viewpoints...all on or near mountain peaks.  If you've never had this experience, you don't know what you're missing, so time to find out...

The fall foliage near Yonah usually peaks around the first week of November.  This year it may be a bit past peak but should be some color left and this is a great hike in any conditions.   This event is classified as a D4 but it will have an extra optional component that would make it a D5, so up to you if you want to do the extra bit at the end and take it to the D5 level.

This is a "photo hike" too, which just means we will probably take extra long breaks to take photos, but a camera is not required.  At the end of the hike, we can copy the pics to my laptop and I will make a group album.

The plan is to head up the main trail and take a detour to "The Boulder" ... then perhaps to the climbing wall if conditions permit (rock is dry enough).

From there we head higher, with a photoshoot break at the rock outcrop (see pic below).  Yonah's little sister, Pink Mtn, is right there in the background.

We will check out the south overlook, visit the actual summit (a peaceful grassy clearing), and then perhaps to the seldom visited eastern overlooks.  You get a whole different view and can even see Rabun Bald in the distance.  This part requires about a tenth of a mile of off trail hiking, but the terrain is fairly open here and won't be any frustrating bushwhacking.

At this point, we will then head back down the mtn about halfway to take the trail out to the summit of Pink Mtn.   Then national forest boundary actually ends just before a road that goes to the top, but we can walk up to the summit and back.

We will head back to the lower overlook and then it is optional if you would like to watch the sunset from there or head back up to the top of Yonah again to watch it.   We will head down not long afterwards so bring a headlamp or flashlight as it will get dark before we reach the bottom.

Sunset is at 6:42 PM. So assuming we head down by 7, we should be back to the carpool by about 9pm (although longer of course if you stop for dinner afterwards...no official plans for that however.

Total distance will be about 7.7 miles and total ascent (elevation gain) about 2400 feet.  If you want to do the 2nd trip up to the top of Yonah, that makes it 8.4 mi and 3000' of ascent.












Required Items to Bring:
  • warm clothing
  • headlamp or flashlight
  • water and enough food to keep your energy level up
  • hiking boots or trail shoes
  • Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • trekking poles
  • camera
  •  


    How to Get There:
    Event Directions:

    will be provided at carpool and via email for those meeting at event.

    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 11:15 am
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 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:

    If rain is forecast, this event will be rescheduled.


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

    Cost Includes:NA

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