Macon Outdoors

Ground sleepers it’s time to hit the trail with our packs , experience the sights & sounds of the unfolding Fall season & cast our cares into the firepit . 🥾🍂🏕️ 🔥🌲
In my opinion , this trip will highlight the best of FDR State Park. We will visit Dowdell’s Knob , the ridge line on the White Candle trail, Odie Overlook and the Cascade Falls and alot of the lesser Falls .
Expect to hike approx 5 miles each day with your weighted pack ( with optional 2-3 miles) slack packing to some other sites . Approx 15 miles over 2 days . The trails will have rocks , roots and some fallen logs , but for the most part the Pine Mtn Trail association does a great job of maintaining & marking the trails .
I don’t usually disclose the exact location of our campsites for safety reasons .. but I have reserved ( 2) campsites for each of our overnights — besides a fire ring , there are no amenities !! Isn’t that great ?! 😉🤣 They both have nearby water sources - so bring your water filters & your flavor drops.

Once everyone is signed up , you will receive a “ private message” to the group participants only with more details. This is where we can discuss staging the vehicles so we have a car waiting at the end , etc etc
** So please , address those particulars in private comments **
Considering the skill level of this trip I will assume everyone has previous experience carrying a fully loaded backpack & the ability or fitness level to carry a 30 lb /+ back pack 5 miles or more at a reasonable pace of 2 mph .
This is important because we will hike as a GROUP and we will stick together. Hence the pace of the GROUP is determined by the slowest hiker ( who knows that could be me ) 🤪
You don’t need to be FAST —just STEADFAST ! 😉
Preparation is a must!! Get some practice ( if you are a beginner ), fill your pack & hike 3-4 miles with it - this is called“ rucking”.
This will condition you for the hike .

Some quick tips :
What to pack ? vs What to leave at home ?
There are no bears at FDR regardless of what rumors you’ve heard . But the raccoons, mice , opossums , a brazen coyote or (?) will be more than happy to gnaw your food to shreds at the 24hr drive up campsite . 🤣😫 So yes bear bag or micro -mini bear can .
Ear Buds: No !! and yes .
We are a GROUP- so group
dynamics will prevail. Backpackers are sometimes “ quiet “ people and introverts ,ahhhh I get you ! 😉
So don’t feel like you have to “ engage “ in gabby conversation .. but do engage in nature . Save the earbuds for at night in the privacy of your own cocoon .
No smoking ! 🚭
Required : list of all medications & any allergies with your emergency contact info “ taped”
on the inside upper most compartment of your back pack , ie “ the brain “. Just in case of an emergency ‼️
Please bring about 6- 12 inches of duct tape, 2-4 Benadryl ( for yellow jacket stings) 🐝, hiking poles or atleast 1 hiking stick ( it will take the load off your knees & serve as a crutch incase of calamity ) and rain cover for your pack & rain jacket ( we go rain or shine and nobody likes a soggy sack ). 😊
We will practice leave no trace !
Pack it in , pack it out . Bring a mini trowel to dig your toilet hole . 🤷‍♀️ 🙄
Whether you jet boil or not is up to you (but bring enough food & a little xtra for your meals & snacks ).
You will need an annual park pass or a daily park pass $10 (for the duration of the trip ).
Also $10 for your portion of the (2) campsite reservations . I will take cash . Bring exact amount.
The park office will take debit/credit/cash $.
Feel free to contact me thru comments with any questions or concerns . 😊
This event is open to Macon Outdoor members , 18 yrs old & above , who meet the criteria above for fitness . You must have attended atleast 1 hike with our group. Or private messaged me for clearance.
** If I don’t recognize you , have never hiked with you , your no show rate for events is higher than 50% , or this is your 1st event with Macon Outdoors ( for the safety of the GROUP ) expect a private message from me . In most cases I “ wait list “ everyone so by allowing you to sign up directly we are expediting the process.
Let’s do this ! 💪🥾🏕️😊

7.5 miles, Moderate trail hike around the reservoir. Pack your sunscreen, snacks, hydration, hat, walking sticks if you prefer, but it's pretty flat Trail.
Arrive early because you need to sign in on their tablet portal which is outside the office door by the picnic tables.

Restrooms available. No fee for parking. Dogs allowed.
Address is showing 100 Collins Rd on Google maps. Park sign shows 100 Collins Drive. Follow the App Map.

Our last mid-week evening hike of this season before the time change. We'll start at 6p and go until it starts to get dark. We should be able to get in 2-3 miles and be out of the park before closing time. This will be a "family friendly" pace. Afterwards we will look for a place to eat for those that are hungry. Please bring the usual including hydration, bug spray, hiking sticks if needed, etc.

Parking is by the playground in front of the bathrooms. If you follow the pin from this event on google maps it will take you right to the parking lot where we will be. See you Tuesday!

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**This will be a 2-day tent sleeping, leaf peeping, elevation seeking adventure . We should be able to experiece the season’s grand display of Fall foliage . 🍂The Cherokee translation of Gahuti is “Mother Mountain “. We will be exploring Fort Mountain State park to include the Fire tower , the ancient rock wall ,some low mileage hikes and lookouts & the Gahuti Trail Loop. Basically we will hike everything the park has to offer . 🥾
The Gahuti Trail Loop:
*Rated as moderately challenging
*Elevation gain of approx 1600 feet
*8.5 miles
*Rocky terrain, stream crossings, waterfall & long range views .
Day 1 : Arrive at basecamp, set up camp. Explore low mileage hikes & look outs , as time permits .
Day 2 : Up early for the Gahuti Trail Loop. The fast hikers will clear the spider webs for the slower but steady . For the most part we will stick together , as a group & group dynamics will prevail . Nobody will be left behind — for that reason I need you to honestly assess your fitness level & endurance . If you’re willing to put forth the effort , you will be rewarded with an amazing hike experience . 😊
This hike could take 5-6hrs with a lunch break & picture taking .

We are pioneer camping , there is an outhouse, 2 picnic tables and a fire ring . Please do not bring any tent larger than a 2-man .
No smoking 🚭
No loud music
No blue tooth on the trail Earbuds in the privacy of your own cocoon, please.
We are here to experience nature , engage in the sights & sounds of the outdoors.
Bears may be present in the park . Bear spray is permitted.
It gets cold up there on the mountain , bring appropriate layers .
The campsite is 160 yards from the parking lot . You will carry in all your camping gear , including your drinking water. You do not have to be a backpacker( but you will need something to consolidate your camping gear in —even a large duffle bag would work ). Don’t bring anything you can’t carry yourself in 1-2 trips .
All food items & scented items must be kept in a bear canister or bear bag . There will be a bear locker at the campsite. Bring only a small personal cooler —if we run out of room you will have to store your food in the trunk of your car.
A small camp chair would be a good “luxury” item.
Jet Boils or hot food prep are recommended .
Cost for 2- nights camping and 1 group dinner = $15 ( payable to me - cash only ).
Park fees will be your Annual parking pass or a $10 daily pass good for the duration of the event ( purchased at park office ).
You will need to plan your food ration & snacks for the duration of the trip.
If you can arrange yourselves in carpools , that would be best ( but not required ) .
** More info to come , just needed to get this out so you can save the dates **
If you have questions feel free to reach out in the comments section.
For the safety of the group - if I have not hiked with you previously, don’t recognize you or your no show / cancellation rate is higher than 50% you may receive a “ private message “ from me so make sure your notifications are on .
This event is open to adult Macon outdoor members .
Check back later for more info .
Let’s do this !! **💪🏕️🍂🥾