Georgia Adventurers Group

Weekday Mid-Day Moderate Hike Island Ford (new trails) with opt. lunch after

Wed, Sep 9 · 11:00 AM EDT

Island Ford Unit Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 8800 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA, US

Please read all info below if you are new to this hike. This week we'll return to the newly re-opened Island Ford and do a new routing which included some of the "old" trails and many of the new trails just opened. Total distance 4.5 miles. Nice views of the river, and heavily shaded. Optional lunch after will be at Moxie Burger in Roswell:
Moxie Burger - 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 2: 13 Miles Deep Gap-Mooney Gap

Sat, Sep 12 · 6:30 AM EDT

Stanimals Around the Bend Hostel, 7675 US-76, Hiawassee, GA, US

Interested in hiking north of the Georgia Appalachian Trail on the North Carolina Appalachian Trail? Join for a 13 mile southbound hike (with ascent of 2388 feet and descent of 2228 feet) northbound hike from Deep Gap, NC (AT mile 85.2) to Mooney Gap, NC (AT mile 98.2).

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 (navigational tools such as a map/map app, plenty of water, rain gear, layers, food, first aid, etc.)

The pace will be moderate/slow at about 1.25 miles per hour including breaks.
The route skirts the Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area with a few sweeping views including from Standing Indian Mountain. Due to the difficulty of reaching both trailheads, we'll use (a) shuttle driver/s for pick up on both ends.

Participants are welcome to stay at Around the Bend Hostel Friday and/or Saturday night (reserve online) as well as to join for dinner at Hiawasee Brew after the hike. I will stay overnight at the hostel in the semi-private room both Friday and Saturday night; they have cabins, a bunkhouse, private rooms, and semi-private rooms--$45 bunk, $50 semi private space--I’ve arranged for a 6 AM breakfast/$10 for anyone interested. They also have a kitchen if you want to make/bring your own. Carpooling is encouraged (though not mandatory) as parking may be limited at hostel. Feel free to post requests on this page or via message to group.

This is a first pay/first serve meetup. To remain on hike and reserve your spot you will need to prepay shuttle fee of $50. via Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or check. Pay event host directly. Details on how to do so messaged via Meetup by organizer. Reminder: Shuttling fees are based on number of people shuttling. Reimbursements given within 2 days of event. Shuttle fees are nonrefundable with a last minute cancellation

This is a first pay/first serve meetup. To remain on hike and reserve your spot you will need to prepay shuttle fee of $50 directly to me via Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or check. Details messaged via Meetup by organizer. Paid participants listed at bottom of this page. Should you see ‘not paid’ next to your name on Meetup that means you have not donated to the club, NOT that you have not paid for this individual Meetup. Please feel free to donate to Georgia Adventurers Group to help keep this group going. Shuttle fees are refundablable with more than 2 days notice before event.
SHUTTLE FEE (with around $15+ tip): $120 (per vehicle) to Mooney Gap and $75 (per vehicle) pick-up from Deep Gap; Total: $210.
1 person: $210
2 persons: $105
3 persons: $70
4 persons: $52.50
5 persons: $42
6 persons: $35
*************************Closing at 6. Anyone on Waitlist—reach out to me by Meetup message. 7-10 Will require securing a second shuttle driver. Once we establish contact and I have received prepayment, I will reach out to my list of drivers. Should I be unable to secure a driver, I will provide a refund and close the group to 6. Estimate below is for shuttle fees above 7–total shuttle fees will be divided amongst participants.
7 persons: $70
8 persons: $52.50
9 persons: $47
10 persons: $42

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

Itinerary:

• Begin at 6:45 am at Stanimals Around the Bend Hostel, 7675 US-76, Hiawassee, GA
• 6:45 am Shuttle #1: 1 hour, 7 minute/38 mile shuttle to Mooney Gap, NC (AT mile 98.2). The cost for shuttle #1 is $120 per vehicle.
• 8:00 AM: Begin hike at Mooney Gap.
• Lunch/rest option is at Carter Gap Shelter (AT mile 93.7).
• 6:45 PM - Shuttle #2: Pickup from Deep Gap (AT mile 85.2). The shuttle is $75 for a 1 hour/37 mile trek back to Stanimals Around the Bend.
• Dinner option: Hiawasee Brew, 616 S Main St, Hiawassee, 11 minutes/9 miles from Stanimals OR bring your own dinner/eat at hostel. Hiawasee Brew is open until 9 pm and there is live music on Saturday evenings.

*********************************************************************************One guest per hiker will be allowed, per request, with payment for two people.

*************************************************************************************I am dividing up the NC Day-hike sections from the GA/NC State Line to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) into 6 hikes. The first three will include shuttles down long FS Roads (Forest Service Roads). Due to the length of time it would take to retrieve beginning shuttle vehicles (up to 2 hours), it's often much easier to hire shuttle services instead. Shuttle prices are for up to 6 occupants. Stanimals have competitive prices and they can provide up to 2-6 person vehicles. I'll also plan an optional stay at a hostel before and after hike, as these are full days.

NC Day Hikes:
#1 8/29-Blue Ridge Gap, GA-Deep Gap, NC 10 miles SOBO (South Bound)
#2 9/12-Deep Gap-Mooney Gap 13 miles SOBO
Tentative:
#3 10/17-Mooney Gap-Winding Stair Gap 11.4 miles NOBO (North Bound)
#4 11/7-Winding Stair Gap-Wayah Bald 9.9 miles SOBO
#5 12/5 Wayah Bald-Tellico Gap 9.5 miles NOBO
********#6 1/23 (or skip to February or March) Tellico Gap-NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) 8.3 miles NOBO. *****************************************************************************I'll check on accessibility of Tellico Gap during winter.

PAID (Requested $50)
Reimbursements/Requests for additional $ will occur before hike:
Tony $50
Pat $50
Laura $50
Jackie $50
Tammy $50