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Hike - Swim and Play




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Near Cheaha State Park   Hike: Hike - Swim and Play  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jul 5 2014  8:30 am >> Sat, Jul 5 2014 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Jun 26 2014 8:15 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jul 4 2014 6:00 pm
Event Duration:Per Itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:7 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Beth H
John Stirman
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
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: Yes

Itinerary:

Hope you’ll join us for a wonderful Chinnabee Silent Trail Hike - Swim and Play in the beautiful Talladega National Forest.  First we will make a trip to the bluffs by the lodge, where we can rock hop & take in beautiful views. Please bring $3 for the park entrance fee.

Then it is just a short drive  to the trailhead. After just 1 mile, we’ll enjoy exploring Cheaha Falls and the surrounding rapids.  After we've spent a decent amount of time we'll then hike another 2 1/2 miles over to the larger waterfall at Devil's Den.  We'll have lunch at the 2nd waterfall and plan on spending a full 90 minutes enjoying the falls and pool (very suitable for swimming).  This will be an "in and out" hike of around 7 miles total distance. A maximum of three dogs will be allowed on this hike.

** Weather permitting there will be an optional after-hike picnic on the bluffs inside the park. Eat & enjoy the views. Bring a small cooler (you will have to carry it 1/2 mile) with picnic supplies. Please be respectful of the park by packing everything out that you pack in. **

The trail is named for Creek Indian Chief Chinnabee, an ally of Andrew Jackson during the Creek War.  The designation of “Silent Trail” comes from the trail’s builders.  Between 1973 and 1976, Boy Scout Troop 29 from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind created the trail with the help of the USDA Forest Service.  The hike is considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable in the state. 

* If you are meeting us at the event, we'll see you at 9:00 Central time at the Cheaha State Park Headquarters.  

** We'll have one creek to cross at the first falls, but I'll allow folks to change out shoes for this.  Once we reach our lunch spot you may change into Quick-dry clothing or a bathing suit. River shoes or an old pair of sneakers should be fine unless you prefer boots for some reason.  No flip-flops though.  If you want to change into your favorite skimpy bikini or Speed-O at lunch, that's fine!

*** If weather does not allow us to picnic after the hike we'll stop at Johnny's New York Style Pizza for a tasty, well-earned meal.  Johnny's is conveniently located at our carpool location -so if you need to head home when we return to the carpool location, you'll have that as an option - but you'll miss out on some great pizza, subs and fellowship!


Required Items to Bring:

Plenty of Water

Hiking Shoes or Boots

Snack or Lunch

Sunscreen

Dry Clothes for the ride home

Money for gas and your meal

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

Waterproof Camera


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From Atlanta area take I-20 WEST into Alabama

Take exit # 191 & Turn LEFT on U.S. Highway 431

Drive  3.7 miles & Turn RIGHT onto County Rd 131

Turn LEFT onto Highway 281 

Go south on 281 for 12.5  miles & Turn RIGHT into the Cheaha Resort State Park Headquarters.  

There is a store with restrooms to the left when you enter. We will meet there before we continue driving to the trailhead.  *The trailhead is located approx 3 miles south of the park headquarters on the left.  The trailhead we are using is directly across the road, NOT the one by the parking lot*

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):132Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.80 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 will allow three dogs on this hike, but they must be on 6' leads at all times.


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


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