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Unicoi Gap to Brasstown Bald


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: North GA
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 10 2012  9:00 am >> Sat, Mar 10 2012 4:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Dec 5 2011 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Mar 5 2012 12:00 pm
Event Duration:7 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Distance:20 Miles
Pace:Fast
Trip Leader(s):
Stefan
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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:4
Number Registered So Far: 14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Are you ready for a truly challenging hike? This ~20 miler from Unicoi Gap to the summit of Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain in GA, and back might be for you.

We will start at Unicoi Gap and hike approx 4.4 miles on the AT (Appalachian Trail) to Chattahoochee Gap.  From Chattahoochee Gap we will turn north (hang a right) leaving the AT and onto the Jacks Knob Trail. This will take us 4.5 miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot and will involve approx. 2000 feet of total ascent.

From the parking lot, we will take the Brasstown Bald paved trail .6 miles and 400 feet up to the summit and the observation platform which will hopefully give us great views if the weather cooperates. We'll have lunch here while viewing how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.

After lunch, we will return the same way we came.

We can refill our water at Brasstown Bald and/or at Chattahoochee Gap (trip leader will bring a filter).  Also, if you have never seen the spring at Chattahoochee Gap, you have to check it out.  Just .15 mi/160 feet down from the Gap, which is little more than a trickle of water at 3200 feet, this spring is widely regarded as the origin/headwaters of the Chattahoochee River.

We'll decide as a group whether or not we will stop for dinner on the way home.

Recap:
Unicoi Gap to Chattahoochee Gap - 4.4 miles, ~1600 feet total ascent
Chattahoochee Gap to Brasstown Bald parking- 4.5 miles, ~2000 feet total ascent
Brasstown Bald trail .6 miles to Brasstown Bald -.6 miles, ~400 feet ascent
Brasstown Bald to Brasstown Bald parking lot - .6 miles
Brasstown Bald parking lot to Chattahoochee Gap- 4.5 miles, ~1000 feet total ascent
Chattahoochee Gap to Unicoi Gap - 4.4 miles, ~900 feet total ascent

Total: ~20 miles, ~6000 feet of ascent

This is a strenuous hike and only for advanced hikers with recent experience of hiking 15 or more miles in the mountains.  We will be trying to maintain at least a 3 mph pace while hiking. However, it should all be well worth it and should prove to be an adventurous day on the trail for those who are up to the challenge and would like to join us...

Required Items to Bring:
At least 4 liters of water
Snacks/lunch (extremely tough hike so bring lots of food)
Hiking boots/shoes
Headlamp in case the sun sets prior to return to Unicoi Gap
Emergency rain gear (even if it is clear day with a 20 percent chance of rain)		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Trekking poles
Extra change of socks to change into at the half-way point
Ibuprofen for the pain
Camera
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back

How to Get There:
Event Directions:North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at Chevron station. continue on GA 115. Go 4.8 miles where GA 115 meets GA 52. Turn right. Continue on GA 115 until Cleveland GA. At the traffic circle in Cleveland go right which is south US 129, and take a bio-break at the McDonald's on the left.  After that proceed north on US 129 (hang a right coming out of the McDonald's) going around the traffic circle.

Continue past GA 75 to Alt GA 75. Take a right on Alt GA 75. Continue until Alt GA 75 ends at GA 75. Take left away from Helen. Continue on GA 75 until signs you see signs for AT parking lot on right side of highway.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):140Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:30 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:
Do i need to mention that unless the forecast is just plain miserable, this event will go on?
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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