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Backpack the Benton Mackaye Trail - Hwy 64 to Hwy 68 (Sections 12-14b)




The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Thunder Rock Recreation Area(Tennessee)   Backpacking: Backpack the Benton Mackaye Trail - Hwy 64 to Hwy 68 (Sections 12-14b)  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 7 2014  9:00 am >> Sun, Jun 8 2014 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sat, May 31 2014 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jun 6 2014 12:00 am
Event Duration:2 days, 1 night
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:33 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Myra Kincaid
Garrett
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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:3
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

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 is an advanced backpack and requires prior backpacking experience! If you do not have a history of D5 backpacks with the club, I will be contacting you to confirm you experience. In general, you will be a good fit for this trip if you if you meet one of the following criteria: 1. You have a history of multiple D5+. backpacks with the club 2. You can verify that you have recently completed a backpack involving at least one 13+ mile day 3. You are a former thru-hiker of a major trail 4. You are an endurance runner (half-marathon+) who also has done at least one backpack.

 

About the trip:

    This will be a point-to-point backpack on a section of the Benton Mackaye trail. The hike will start at the BMT-trailhead parking in the Thunderhead campground, just off of Hwy 64. About an hour will be required to shuttle at least one car to the end-point of the hike on Hwy 68. The Saturday hike will be ~15 miles to the camping along Lost Creek. There will be a long 1700' climb in the first four miles, with mostly descent the rest of the day.

  We will strive for an early start on Sunday morning in order to complete the remaining 18 miles in good time. The trail descends to the Hiwasee River crossing the river and following along it for several miles. This day will include one 500' climb and one 800' climb near the end. We will finish at Hwy 68, retrieve the cars from thunder rock, and return to Atlanta.

   Note: Garrett will be organizing the carpool at Busbee.

 

About The Trail:

The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) is a footpath of nearly 300 miles through the Appalachian mountains of the southeastern United States. It is designed for foot travel in the tradition of the Appalachian Trail (AT).

Running from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Big Creek Campground on the northern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the Smokies), the BMT passes through some of the most remote backcountry in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, including eight federally designated Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas.

 

 A listing of the BMT sections can be found here: http://www.bmta.org/FreeDownloads.htm). This hike will encompass sections 12-14b of the Benton Mackaye.

 

 


Required Items to Bring:
  • Hiking Boots / Shoes
  • Backpack
  • Tent / Tarp / Hammock 
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleep Pad
  • Food and Snacks (2 days worth)
  • Water and Filtration / Purification device, Drops, or Tablets
  • Headlamp and spare batteries

 

 

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

Use our Event Checkliststo make sure you have everything you need.

  • Camera
  • Hiking Poles
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Stove
  • Matches/Lighter
  • Change of Clothes and Towel for Drive Home
  • Maps/GPS

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

  From Ducktown, TN, take US Rt. 64 west for 7.4 miles to campground sign (TVA
Ocoee Powerhouse #3). Turn left at sign and proceed around powerhouse into the
campground. The trailhead parking is supposed to be near the entrance.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):250Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $100.00 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.