Arkaquah and Wagon Train Trails - A Brasstown Bald Two-Fer

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Arkaquah and Wagon Train Trails - A Brasstown Bald Two-Fer

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Young Harris, Georgia

Hike: Arkaquah and Wagon Train Trails - A Brasstown Bald Two-Fer

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 8 2014 8:30 am >> Sat, Feb 8 2014 8:28 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Feb 6 2014 9:57 am

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Feb 8 2014 7:15 am

Event Duration:

11 Hours 58 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

13.2 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Clay White
Dorothea

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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:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

The Arkaquah and Wagon Train Trails are two of the "Big 3" trails to reach Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia. Using a short shuttle, we will have time to hike both trails.

We will start with the Arkaquah Trail. Beginning at Track Rock Gap, a former Cherokee village, we will climb to Buzzard Roost Ridge, enduring the most difficult part of the hike, gaining 1435 feet in elevation in only 1.7 miles. Thereafter, much of the Arkaquah Trail rolls and meanders along a ridge line and offers many beautiful open vistas of the north Georgia mountains.We will pass through Low Gap and to the summit of Chimney Top Mountain. After reaching the end of the Arkaquah Trail (at the Brasstown Bald parking lot), we will climb an additional 1000 feet to the top of Brasstown Bald and have a snack.

We will next take the Wagon Train Trail to the Young Harris College campus. Because we will be starting from Brasstown Bald, this portion of the hike will be mostly downhill! The trail is an old road bed from Brasstown Bald to Young Harris, built by convict labor in the 1930s. The trail, noted for excellent winter views of the surrounding mountains, passes through hardwood forests populated with yellow poplars, birches, maples, oaks, hickories, black gums and numerous other species. This trail has reputedly been hiked many times by former Georgia Governor, Zell Miller.

This is a fairly strenuous hike, covering approximately 13.2 miles and at least 2500 feet in elevation gain. Only advanced hikers with D5 experience (or with significant D4 experience) should register. If you do not have such experience on your AOC resume, the TL may contact you to discuss whether it is in your best interest to remain on the hike.

Following the hike, we will have dinner together and revel in our accomplishment while ingesting ibuprofen.

The time estimate is only an estimate. It could be shorter or longer, depending on the abilities of our participants, the weather, and the length of dinner. If you cannot stay for dinner, or need to be back in Atlanta by a specific time, you should consider driving separately to the event.

Required Items to Bring:

Water
Snacks
Hiking boots
Cash for carpool
Great attitude
Milk chocolate for trip leader

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

Hiking poles
Camera
Gear appropriate for weather

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

To be provided at carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

160Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 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:

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

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