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Camping & Hiking


The Basics:
Event Type:Camping
Event Location: Snowbird Mountains
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 2 2006  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Aug 30 2006 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Bruce
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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: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
11-mile moderate with 1 short strenuous climb, 1 cold water crossing and swimming hole

We will drive up in afternoon on Saturday and after the 3 hour drive, find a good site on Big Snowbird Creek to set up camp-and get ready for a night of fun, food sharing. I will cook dinner for everyone-a goulash or stew with plenty of good vegetables and meat. Everyone else is asked to bring something to share with group (someone brought homemade wine once, brownies, side salad (we’ll communicate about what everyone’s bringing to not duplicate too much). We can also play cards (I’ll teach anyone who wishes a new, fun easy card game) or just talk laugh, have fun in general. Sunday morning we wake up early, break down tents, bedding and put back in our vehicles. Then we’ll get started on our hike about 9-9:30 to have plenty of time to do it in a leisurely manner. The first 3 miles are on a fairly easy, level roadbed which follows Big Snowbird Creek the whole way, then we rock hop across Sassafras Creek and in about another mile we have our first waterfall viewing break.

The most strenuous portion of the hike is about ½ mile further up Burntrock Ridge, (a good solid 1/4mile up steep hill and back down the ridge to a cold, wide, but relatively shallow water crossing of Big Snowbird Creek (which should feel nice this time of year). Then we will visit the nearby Middle Falls and large dipping, wading pool in front of the falls, where we will break again for snack/lunch and a brief and guaranteed cold swim in the gorgeous swimming hole below Middle Falls. From here it is another four miles out-time allowing, we can stop at one more waterfall on the way out. Hike should be finished anywhere from 4 to 5 o’clock, depending on when we start, and how long are breaks are.

Those wishing to can stop and enjoy the group a little longer by dining at a nice Chinese restaurant in Andrews, NC on the way back.

NOTE: The Snowbirds are a beautiful, enchanted place that is among my favorites for an absolutely, pristine and serene wilderness environment. The Cherokee Indians used these rugged mountains to hide from the ‘trail of tears’ and this also implies, however, the primitive conditions a wilderness entails. No restrooms-except what nature provides. (Bring trowel, toilet paper).

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Swim suits, towel to dry off-change of clothes for when we return to car. Bring some sort of water crossing shoes (Tevas, water shoes, sneakers and bag or daypack to put them in after water crossing), two large containers of water - liters or quarts.
(I will bring a water filter to replenish water. There is also a spring 2 ½ miles in to top off water). As always bring appropriate clothing for the temperatures (usually at least 10 degrees cooler in these mountains) as well as properly rated sleeping bag.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Robbinsville, NC Park and ride lot only From the park and ride lot we will travel to I-575 and take it up past Blue Ridge. This is where will travel briefly on Hwy.60 north to Hwy-spur 60 which goes northeast out of Mineral Bluff, GA and ends up just south of Murphy, NC. From There we continue traveling north until we near the Nantahala Gorge, and turn west to Robbinsville, NC where we will stop to coordinate at the local Ingles grocery store, before heading to the trailhead.

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No.

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, not in terribly inclement or threatening weather .

NOTE: Please be considerate of others. If you sign-up and cannot attend, please e-mail the event leader, so others that may be on a waiting list may attend. E-mail the event leader to be put on a waiting list if the trip is at the max number of attendees.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:Your personal cost for shared dinner and trail food, cost for inexpensive dinner on Sunday, and shared gas costs for our drivers.

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