WATERFALLS & SUNSETS Series - Sat, Oct 6 2012

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.



WATERFALLS & SUNSETS Series


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cochran Falls   Hike: WATERFALLS & SUNSETS Series  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 6 2012  10:00 am >> Sat, Oct 6 2012 9:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 10:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Oct 3 2012 9:45 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Oct 5 2012 10:00 pm
Event Duration:11 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:13.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
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: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:

Cochran Falls with Sunset from State Park Lodge

"Waterfalls and Sunsets" is a new series that I've come up with to highlight two of my favorite things in nature to admire.  Each event in the series will highlight anywhere from one to five waterfalls and then will polish off the day with a sunset viewing from a great location.  To make the most of the series requires coordination with mother nature's plans, so don't expect any of these to be posted more than 4 or 5 days in advance.

 

This event will highlight Cochran Falls, which is the second highest waterfall in Georgia.  We will begin the hike on the LFHI trail and after a few miles take a trail to Cochran Falls.  We will then hike to the bottom of the falls, admire the falls, take some photos, hike back to the top, have lunch, and then return to the LFHI trail.  From this point we will continue towards the AT connector trail, making a short stop at the LFHI for a view of the mountains to the east.  We will return to Amicalola via the AT Connector Trail.

After the hike, we will eat dinner at the Amicalola Lodge.  The Lodge sits on top of a cliff and has a dining area with huge windows that face directly west for our sunset viewing pleasure.  The buffet dinner is very reasonably priced at $12.95.

This hike will be approximately 13.5 miles long and have about 3,500 feet of ascent.  That's about the equivalent of climbing Stone Mountain 5 times and about 1,000 feet more ascent than the normal "Amicalola Loop" hike that is often posted.  It will also have some extremely steep sections that require a bit of scrambling.  One section of trail has a 600 foot ascent/descent in approximately 1/4 mile - in scientific terms that means it's RFS.  So if you are not comfortable on that kind of terrain, then you should refrain from signing up for this event or plan to wait while the rest of us visit the lower part of the falls.  The pace on this hike is listed as moderate, but it will vary on different sections.  We will take our time on the exceptionally steep portions, but will probably move along at the upper end of the moderate range on other parts.  But I will adjust the pace either up or down to ensure that we arrive back at the lodge in time... so if you don't have the ability to be flexible with your pace, then you may be hiking alone.

You should have recent D5 hiking experience with the AOC before signing up for this event, or you may be put on the waiting list until I can verify your experience level.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Good hiking shoes/boots
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Water or sports drink (2.5 to 3 liters)
  • Change of clothes for after the hike
  • Cash for your carpool driver
  • A flexible mindset, good attitute, big smile, and sense of adventure
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Camera
  • State Park Parking pass if you happen to have one

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):105Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $42.00 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:

There is a $5 State Park parking fee required unless you have a pass.  If you do have a pass, please bring it with you even if you aren't driving, so that your carpool can take advantage of it.


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


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