Backpack the Benton Mackaye Trail - Hwy 68 to Tellico River Rd (Sections 14c-16e) - Fri, Oct 10 2014

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Backpack the Benton Mackaye Trail - Hwy 68 to Tellico River Rd (Sections 14c-16e)


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Tellico Plains (Tennessee)   Backpacking: Backpack the Benton Mackaye Trail - Hwy 68 to Tellico River Rd (Sections 14c-16e)  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Oct 10 2014  5:00 pm >> Sun, Oct 12 2014 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 5:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Sep 22 2014 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Oct 9 2014 12:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Days 3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:26 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Myra Kincaid
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

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, you will be contacted to confirm you experience. Trip leadership reserves the right to remove anyone that they feel may not be able to complete the trip.

 About the trip:

    This will be a point-to-point backpack on a section of the Benton Mackaye trail. The hike will run from the crossing at Tellico River Road to the crossing at Hwy 68.

   Friday Evening: We will try to get most of the shuttle process completed on Friday evening, spending the night near our start on Tellico River road. We will drop at least one car at the BMT Hwy 68 crossing on the way up. The parking on 68 is marginal, so we will plan to leave most of the cars in Tellico plains. I am working to arrange a shuttle from Tellico plains. This will reduce shuttle time on Sunday, speeding our return to Atlanta.

   Saturday: We will start early on Saturday and plan to hike about 14 miles, camping at just past half-way on the hike. The trail goes up and over Sugar mountain, before descending and crossing Bald River. Then ascending once more to the top of Rocky Top. The trail will continue at high elevations for a few miles, crossing several water sources, before descending to Sandy Gap, where we will camp Saturday night.

 

   Sunday: We will start early, and complete the remaining 13 miles. The trail ascends to Cantrell top, before gradually working its way back down to lower elevations. A mile before reaching our finish at Hwy 68, we will pass Buck Bald, which is reputed to have great 360 views. We will retrieve the cars from Tellico plains and return to Atlanta.

 

Please plan on bringing an additional $10 to help pay our shuttle drivers. This is in addition to gas money for the carpool.

 

 

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.

 


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
  • Harmonicas, flutes, cards, etc.

How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):250Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 5:00 pm
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.