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Gregory Bald - Advanced hikers only


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Gregory Bald, near Fontana Dam
Date(s) & Time:Sat, May 31 2008  10:00 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 7:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, May 19 2008 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Thu, May 29 2008 11:59 pm
Event Duration:13-17 hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Pam
John Weatherman
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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:4
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Join John Weatherman & I for this killer 15.7 mile hike! Gregory Bald is famous for the unique hybridization of the Flame Azaleas, and if you have only so far seen the orange ones, you are in for a real treat! Native Azaleas in every shade of orange, yellow, pink and white… DO bring your cameras! Just an FYI... the typical peak time for these azaleas is actually in June, but hopefully we'll get to see at least some of them!

We will be hiking a rather strenuous 15.6 miles. This is NOT a beginner hike. In fact, this one is so strenuous, we are limiting participants to those we KNOW (or have heard) are capable of long, hard hikes. If you're new and would like to join us, please email us your hiking resume. I’m sorry if that offends some, but this hike is for experienced and very fit hikers ONLY. This is for your own safety and the enjoyment of the group. We will enjoy a moderate to fast pace, but we will be stopping periodically to take pictures.

Gregory Bald is kinda far away, and while it would be nice to spend a whole weekend I’ve personally hiked this as a day hike twice. As long as you are fit and prepared, this is a totally doable dayhike.

We will park at the ranger station at Twentymile. Our lollipop loop hike begins here. We will have an easy .5 mile where we will turn left on Wolf Ridge Trail. This trail will gain over 3000' the next 5 miles to Parsons Bald. From Parsons Bald it will be an easy hike to Gregory Bald Trail (GBT) which will eventually lead us to Gregory Bald. We will enjoy lunch on Gregory Bald while enjoying the amazing 360-degree views, including Cades Cove below us. (Hopefully the weather will cooperate!!!!) It would not hurt my feelings one bit if someone brings a Frisbee to toss around at lunchtime!

After lunch, we will continue on the GBT to Long Hungry Ridge Trail. The trail will quickly drop 2000' in 2.5 mi and then it will be level hiking for a mile to rejoin Twentymile Trail. We’ll eventually come to a 3-way intersection where we’ll be sure to take Twentymile Trail to return and not Twentymile Loop Trail… unless we’re feeling a little crazy and want to extend our hike by another 4 miles. After 2.6 miles, we’ll turn left and enjoy the sound of the river to finish out our hike. If we have time, we’ll take a brief detour to enjoy the cascades and play in the water before returning to our cars.

We will likely have some folks who will want to stop and have dinner on the way back, but I know some of us will have pets we’ll need to get home to.

For more information, please see:
http://www.tjhsst.edu/~dhyatt/gregory4.html

Required Items to Bring:
Minimum, 2-3 liters of water and/or filter. There should be water at the beginning and end of the hike, but once we are up there we may NOT be able to find any water
Electrolyte replacement
Lunch/trail snacks
Hiking boots, good wool or Wrightsocks. NO COTTON!
Headlamp (just in case!)
Daypack to hold all your stuff
Towel/change of clothes for ride back (if you’re sweaty, smelly and wet, sorry, but you can’t ride with me!)
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Trekking poles
Camera
Moleskin
GPS
Bug spray

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Take the ramp onto GA-5 N/I-575 N,Continue to follow GA-5 N 64.9 mi. Continue on Appalachian Hwy 3.8 mi. Slight left toward GA-60/Lakewood Hwy 0.2 mi. Turn left at GA-60/Lakewood Hwy 1.8 mi. Turn right at GA-60-SPUR/Murphy Hwy. Entering North Carolina 7.5 mi. Continue on NC-60 5.0 mi. Slight right at US-64 E/US-74 E Continue to follow US-74 E 30.3 mi. Turn left at US-129 11.5 mi. Turn right at NC-43/ Sweetwater Rd 8.8 mi. Turn left at Fontana Rd/NC-28. Take NC-28 West for 5 miles to Twentymile Ranger Station
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):330Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:15 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $132.00 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.