AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Print-Friendly Version
Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)
Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar


REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Backpack and Dayhikes


The Basics:
Event Type:Overnight
Event Location: Panthertown Valley
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 16 2006  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Sep 14 2006 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bruce
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 13 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Moderate 6-7 mile dayhikes

When we arrive at the Panthertown Valley, we will put on packs (leader will only carry a daypack and ask several people to carry one item each, as I have shoulder surgery the week after-have to watch weight carry on my shoulders). I plan to carry a water filter and camp water bag to share for cooking and lightweight meals and stove and flashlights. We will walk down into the valley about ¾ of a mile to an area past Granny Burrell Falls where there is a shelter, several not wanting to carry tents can stay for the night (like myself) without having to set up tents. There is also plenty of room around the shelter for anyone wanting privacy of their own tent, instead of communal shelter. After setting up camp, we will walk around the backside of Big Green Mountain, which shadows our campground, and up onto Big Green Mtn. Once on top, we will hike east to Greenland Creek Falls (with rock hopping water crossing), and stay there to take pictures, snack, enjoy the scenery. Time allowing we will do extra hiking, where to dependent on several things including how much time we have to get back to camp. Saturday night we will enjoy the beverages of your choice. (Unfortunately none of which I can personally carry in-though I’ll bring some cheese and crackers to share with group). We can have a good time in and around the spacious shelter, and wood finding allowing; have a fire to share at night. Those wanting can go to stargaze, look for shooting stars as its pitch black in the valley with no city lights to dim the sparkling stars, before retiring for the evening. Sunday, we will wake up and have breakfast, and plan our second hike to another one of the mountain overlooks-Little Green or Blackrock Mtn. And Wardens Falls and/or Schoolhouse Falls and back to camp to pack up and leave the valley around 2-3pm. Saltrock overlook on the way into and out of the valley is as stunningly beautiful view of mountain scenery you’re ever likely to see; showing off the mountains that surround this bowl-like valley and lost world of its own. Come join me in this unforgettable and wild place.

NOTE: This valley is an undesignated wilderness, disposition unspecified by state of North Carolina. It is a rugged wilderness at present, with deer, bobcat, raccoons and the occasional timber rattler-have seen one on seven trips led there, and heard several accounts from other people seeing them-no bites though; if you’re careful and keep distance nothing is going to happen. All that in mind, if snakes or untamed wilderness make you uneasy this isn’t the trip for you; but there is untold, indescribable, wild beauty here in the un-blazed trails of the Panthertown Valley, you wont soon forget after experiencing.

There will be a mandatory pre-trip meeting (especially for newbies and rookies to the backpacking experience). Veterans at this meeting will help you with equipment shortages, if possible; and suggest what you may be missing equipment-food wise, etc. Map and trails will shown at the meeting as well.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Two liters/ quarts of water, dependent on how hot; trail food and snacks, one lightweight dinner and breakfast of choice, headlamps and/or flashlights for getting around and going to bathroom at night, trowel and tp for same. Tents are optional for those like me not wanting to carry the extra weight. Bear in mind, if privacy is important to you, (don’t want to listen to others snore, party or other; bring your tent. as this shelter easily holds a dozen people unoccupied. This is a potluck type of thing (first come, first served-I’ve been lucky so far and had the shelter twice; this is dependent on getting there in the morning early and getting down into the valley and claiming it for our own.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Cashiers, NC Park and Ride only (unless you live far away from town-we can work out details) From the park and ride lot we travel up I-85 north all the way to South Carolina, where we’ll get off at the exit 1, immediately over the Lake Hartwell bridge. From the rest stop there we get on Highway 11 north (runs off of the exit) to Walhalla, SC. We turn left there onto highway 28 north to highway 107 north to Cashiers, where we will take a right turn on Highway 64 east for a short while to two local roads which climb up to the top of the mountains surrounding the Panthertown Valley.

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, not in extreme weather conditions!

NOTE: Please be considerate of others. If you sign-up and cannot attend, please e-mail the trip leader, so others that may be on a waiting list may attend.

E-mail the trip 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:Gas sharing costs (easily ten bucks for this long ride, and maybe ten more for the mexican dinner in Walhalla, SC after the hike on Sunday for those who chose to dine after and enjoy the group a little longer.

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