Georgia Adventurers Group

Weekday Mid-Day Moderate Hike Jones Bridge with optional lunch after

Wed, Oct 14 · 11:00 AM EDT

Jones Bridge Unit, Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, 8615 Barnwell Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022, Jones Bridge Unit, Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, 8615 Barnwell Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30022,, Johns creek, GA, US

Please read all info below if you are new to this hike. This week we'll return to the Jones Bridge trail in Johns Creek and do our usual 5 mile route. Optional lunch after will be at a new venue for us: Zama (Mexican) nearby on Holcomb Bridge road:
Zama Mexican - Google Maps

Key Hike info and Policies:

Prompt Departure Policy: Out of respect for the majority of people who arrive on time, we will leave promptly at the designated time, allowing 1-2 minutes of "grace period". If you arrive late, please text or call me at 770-875-4493 and I will let you know where we are on the trail so you can catch up to the group.

What: A moderate-pace hike of about 4 to 5.5 miles, in about 2 hours, with 2-4 short (2-3 mins) rest stops.

When: Every Wednesday at 11AM.

Where: We semi-rotate around to various locations within about 1 hour of Atlanta. Current venues include Red Top Mountain state park (Homestead and Iron Hill trails); Jones Bridge (Johns Creek); Bowman's Island (Buford), Laurel Ridge (Buford), Sawnee Preserve (Cumming), Vickery Creek (Roswell), and Kennesaw Mountain park (a couple of different trails) (Marietta). Additional venues may be added in the future.

Who: Usually about 15-20 people attend each hike, though we've had as many as 30+. We are a friendly group and do our best to make newcomers feel welcome.

Difficulty/Fitness-level: First of all, If you are looking for a fast-paced workout hike, THIS IS NOT THE HIKE FOR YOU. When hiking our pace is generally 2.7mph, though on some flat stretches we might be going as much as 2.9mph. Second, most of our hikes have at least some hill climbing involved, so these are NOT Easy or Beginner hikes.

Please be prepared to abide by these Polices:

1: You need to keep up with the group, meaning if you are hiking in the back you need to keep in sight of the main group. No individually stopping for 5 minutes to take pictures or sight see. We hike as a group.

2: If for any reason you have to leave the group, you need to let me know in advance (in person or via phone/text), and then message me when you are back to the parking lot so we know you are safe.

3: We leave on time (see policy details above)

4: Meetup is not a pickup dating site. Continually bothering/harassing people for dates, phone numbers, etc. will not be tolerated (it's also illegal).

5: This group is friendly and social, and lots of good conversations take place, which is great and encouraged. However, I would ask you to please be careful about sensitive subjects (politics, religion, etc) as not everyone agrees with you and wants to hear that stuff on the trail. Be considerate of people with whom you are conversing, and also those within earshot.

6: Dogs are welcome everywhere we hike except Sawnee Preserve and Laurel Ridge, but are required to be on a leash, and under control, at all times.

7: Please keep your event RSVP up to date. I do not have limits on attendee numbers, so you can add or remove your name from the attendee list as you wish without needing to be concerned about getting or keeping a spot. You can add your name at the last minute if necessary, or remove it the morning of the hike if your plans change. But please don't leave your name on the list and then be a no show - this is inconsiderate and unnecessary on this hike, and against GAG policy.

Please remember to contribute to the funding of GAG :
https://www.meetup.com/georgiaadventurersgroup/events/297772095/

North Carolina AT Section 3: 11.4 Miles Mooney Gap-Winding Stair Gap

Sat, Oct 17 · 7:45 AM EDT

The Grove Hostel, 130 Hayes Cir, Franklin, NC 28734, USA, Franklin, NC, US

Interested in hiking north of the Georgia Appalachian Trail on the North Carolina Appalachian Trail? Join for a 11.4 mile north bound hike (with ascent of 1948 feet and descent of 2268 feet) from Mooney Gap, NC (AT mile 98.2) to Winding Stair Gap, NC (AT mile 109.6).

This trail is rated difficult so please join only if in good health, physically conditioned for hiking steep climbs/descents over long distances, and knowledgeable about what to bring to hike independently in the wilderness (navigational tools such as a map/map app, plenty of water, rain gear/hiking in inclement weather--rain, cold, etc., ability to keep dry and warm, food, first aid, headlamp, etc.) The pace will be moderate/slow at about 1.25 miles per hour including breaks. Everyone is expected to be together at the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and end point/shuttle pickup intervals (details below as well as in photos).

The route treks through the Nantahala Mountains including Albert Mountain standing at 5200' famous for its fire tower, sweeping views, and being the 100 mile mark for the Appalachian Trail northbound.

SHUTTLE FEE (with $5 tip): $75 (for up to 8) to Mooney Gap. The pick-up from Winding Stair Gap at hikes end is free with hostel stay. A shuttle fee deposit of $15 is required to remain on hike. If you do not pay in a timely manner you will be moved to 'Not Going." Once paid, your name will appear with amount you paid at bottom of this Meetup description.

Participants are welcome to stay at The Grove Hostel Friday and/or Saturday night (no need to reserve a bunk--just let me know; text to reserve one of 2 queen rooms with shared half bath). I will stay overnight at the hostel in the bunkhouse both Friday and Saturday night; $45 bunk, $120 queen room with private entrance/shared 1/2 bath. Bring your own Saturday morning breakfast to make/eat in hostel kitchen/dining area. Please let me know when you'll meet group and if you'll be staying at the hostel. I will note this with payment information at bottom.

For anyone interested in carpooling up, feel free to post requests on this page or via message to group. Everyone is welcome Friday night at Lazy Hiker Brewing Company as well as to join for Saturday after-hike dinner at any one of many restaurants in Franklin.

All participants are expected to check for updates weekly and more frequently the week before hike.

Itinerary:
(Optional) Friday evening

• 6:30 pm - Food truck dinner/beverages at The Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, 188 W Main St, Franklin, NC

Saturday

• Begin at 6:45 am at The Grove Hostel 130 Hayes Circle, Franklin, NC
• 7:00 am Shuttle #1: 41 minute/14 mile shuttle to Mooney Gap, NC (AT mile 98.2)
• 8:00 AM: Begin hike at Mooney Gap mile 98.2
• Shelters w/picnic table & privy:
  1) Long Branch Shelter mile 102.4
  2) Rock Gap Shelter mile 105.8
• Viewpoints:
  1) Albert Mountain mile 99.9
  2) Franklin Overlook; campsites with views 1 mile past Glassmine Gap apx. mile 104.3
  3) View mile 106.2
• Checkpoints (approximate w/ 1/4 of miles being 2.8 miles):
  1/4 way - 10:30 am, mile 102.4 Long Branch Shelter (good place for snack or lunch)
  1/2 way - 1:00 pm, mile 104.3 Franklin Overlook (good place for lunch but no picnic table)
  3/4 way: 3:30 pm, mile 105.8 Rock Gap Shelter (we will have more than 1/4 of the way from this point with 3.8 miles remaining including 1-682', over 3 miles, ascent. We'll decide as a group on pickup time at Winding Stair Gap. With cellular connectivity we can confirm pickup time with shuttle driver)
• 5:00 PM - Shuttle #2: Pickup from Winding Stair Gap (AT mile 109.6) at parking lot on US Route 64 for a 15 minute/11.6 mile shuttle back to hostel (free for anyone staying at hostel--there may be a fee if not)
• Dinner option: any of many restaurants in Franklin, NC

I am dividing up the NC Day-hike sections from the GA/NC State Line to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) into 6 hikes then from NOC to Fontana Dam Visitors Center/entry to The Great Smoky Mountains into 3 hikes (with the last 2 joined together across 2 days). Many of these hikes will include shuttles down long FS Roads (Forest Service Roads). Due to the length of time it would take to retrieve beginning shuttle vehicles and for convenience, it's easiest to hire shuttle services to transport to and front trailheads..

NC Day Hikes:
#3 10/17 Mooney Gap-Winding Stair Gap 11.4 miles NOBO (North Bound)
#4 11/7 Wayah Bald-Winding Stair Gap 9.9 miles SOBO (South Bound)
#5 12/5 Wayah Bald-Tellico Gap 9.5 miles NOBO
#6 1/16 Tellico Gap-NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) 8.3 miles NOBO *This hike is weather dependent. Should there be severe snow/ice the rain date is 1/23.**************************
#7 Feb date TBD Stecoah Gap-NOC 13.8 miles SOBO
#8 March date TBD Day 1 - Stecoah Gap-Fontana Dam Road 13.8 miles NOBO; Day 2 - Fontana Dam Road-Fontana Dam Visitors Center 2.1 miles NOBO

PAID ($50--old fee) ($15 - new fee):
Pat $15/staying at hostel Fri-Sat (bunk)
Jackie $15//staying at hostel (bunk)
Tonya $15/staying at hostel (bunk)
Laura $15/staying at hostel Fri-Sat (bunk)
Tammy $15/staying at hostel Fri-Sat (bunk)
Tony $15/hostel Friday