10K Hike (6.2 miles) at Columns aka Cochran Shoals to Sope Creek Hike - Starting at Columns Drive

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10K Hike (6.2 miles) at Columns aka Cochran Shoals to Sope Creek Hike - Starting at Columns Drive

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Columns Drive Entrance: Cochran Shoals parking area on Columns Drive

Date(s) & Time:

Wed, Sep 11 2013 6:00 pm >> Wed, Sep 11 2013 8:10 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Sep 5 2013 7:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Sep 11 2013 2:00 pm

Event Duration:

2 Hours 10 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Distance:

6.2 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Libby G

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

13 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

The pace will be rather fast, in that we will be doing 6.2 miles in under 2 hours (typically 1 hour and 50 minutes). However, this is not a fitness hike...just a moderately fast paced hike.

READ DIRECTIONS WELL TO ARRIVE AT THE CORRECT STARTING POINT...PLEASE. This is off Johnson Ferry Road and NOT at one of the other entrances.

We will meet at the satellite parking area on Columns Drive (off Johnson Ferry Road) at the north end of the Cochran Shoals unit. There are restrooms available. We will meet by the gate entrance to the gravel path just to the right-ish of the restrooms.

10K Hike for 6.2 miles. Beginning from the Cochran Shoals parking lot, we will pass the information board and walk along the wide, gravel Fitness Trail, then head into the woods, going from Cochran Shoals up to Sope Creek pond, circle around the pond and return back the way we came, then walk to the bridge, touch it, and finish on the fitness trail completing our 6.2 miles. We will be going at a moderate to fast pace, depending on the speed of the group.

Elevation gain / loss is 117 feet. We will be walking over fine gravel, wooden boardwalks, compact dirt, and sandy floodplain. Some of the trails we will be taking will be shared with bikers.

Required Items to Bring:

Flashlight or headlamp (since starting to get darker earlier).

Good hiking shoes/boots and wool socks to avoid blisters.

Water! Water! Water!

Snacks, if you need a bit to eat.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Bug spray. Mosiqutos are "out and about" due to all the rain we have had.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take I-285 to Riverside Drive - Exit 24.

Travel north for 2.4 miles to Johnson Ferry Road.

Turn left (north), crossing the Chattahoochee River past the CRNRA Johnson Ferry Unit.

Turn left (south) on Columns Drive just past the river (at the street light).

The road winds through the Johnson Ferry Unit before reaching a parking area for Cochran Shoals at 2.6 miles. NOTE: You will go through some neighborhoods as you drive down Columns Drive, passing houses along the way. Be careful of your speed, as it gets down to 25 mph. Keep going until you reach the dead end, which is where you will park and where the trail starts.

Notes:

$3 parking daily pass is needed, unless you have an annual Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area.

www.nps.gov/chat

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

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