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Dicks Creek, Blood Mountain Creek, and Blood Mountain Cove




The Basics:
Event Type:Explorer
Event Location: 15 miles north of Dahlonega   Explorer: Dicks Creek, Blood Mountain Creek, and Blood Mountain Cove  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Mar 7 2012  9:30 am >> Wed, Mar 7 2012 5:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 5 2012 1:08 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Mar 6 2012 7:40 pm
Event Duration:8 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
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:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

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:
This will start at roughly the confluence of Dicks Creek and Blood Mountain Creek - about 5 miles south of Blood Mountain as the crow flies.


The intention is to hike up Blood Mountain Creek about 4 - 4.5 miles until we hit Freeman Trail (elevation ~3,650 ft). Then we would go west on Freeman Trail appoximately 1/2 mile until we hit the AT at Bird Gap. Then south/west on the AT for about 1.5 miles to Jarrad Gap. Then from Jarrad Gap down a trail (possibly old logging road) back to Dicks/Blood Creeks on which we will return to the car(s). I'm expecting the entire hike to be about 11 miles, but could be from 9 - 12 depending on what we encounter. And a total ascent of probably about 2,000, but possibly as much as 3,000.

There are several waterfalls along Blood Mountain Creek plus a large one on Dicks Creek.  So we should see 3 - 4 waterfalls and possibly more as it's common to stumble across some others on these types of hikes.  The whole hike is a bit of an unknown.... there is a trail up Blood Mountain Creek (not officially maintained) for about 4 miles, but I'm not sure about the last 3/4 mile from there to Freeman Trail.  The last 1/2 - 3/4 miles along BM Creek to Freeman Trail is very likely off-trail, and if it's either too steep or not reasonably passable, there is supposedly another trail that runs west over to the Dicks Creek Spring located just below Jarrad Gap. And then we would head back from there down a trail/old road bed along Dicks Creek to the car(s).

The pace of this hike is listed as "N/A" as it will depend on the trail conditions.  It will probably vary from the quick side of moderate on any well maintained trails to somewhat slow on ones that are not well maintained.

If you are into adventure, going to new places, seeing some stuff that is less common, you'll love this.  If you have to have an exact route and agenda then it's probably not for you... this is all about fun, flexibility, adventure, and exploration.


Required Items to Bring:
  • - Good hiking shoes
  • - A flexible mindset with a big smile and sense of adventure
  • - Lunch and some snacks
  • - Plenty of water (2 - 3 quarts)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • - Hiking poles if you are inclined to use those things
  • - A flexible attitude (yes, I'm saying it twice)

How to Get There:
Event Directions:This will be a carpool only event unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case you will need to contact the TL for directions.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):120Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $48.00 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:
Dogs are allowed on the hike as long as they can be trusted off leash. This is because with the types of unmaintained trails (possibly no trails) we will be hiking it's impossible to keep a dog on a leash.  And your dog must be able to complete a hike of this nature.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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