Dockery Lake Trail to Preacher's Rock via AT

Sean hosted this last year. Most of the details you see below are copied from his post. Dockery Lake is not too far away for most of us (12 miles north of Dahlonega),

Temp should be right around 66 degrees in the afternoon. This is an Out & Back hike. We will be on the Dockery Lake Trail and then on the AT, to Preacher's Rock.

Hike Distance: Approx. 11 miles
Elevation Gain: Approx 2,400'

Here's the AllTrails link for what we did last time:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/dockery-lake-trail-to-preachers-rock?u=i

We try to maintain an average hiking speed of about 2.5 mph to 3mph. Not fast, but not slow either. This is not a difficult hike, but it is NOT A BEGINNERS' HIKE. Those who go a little faster should wait at the junctions. We usually have a faster group and a slower group. Try to stay within one of these two sub-groups.

I always have my AllTrails app running (the free version works just fine) and I encourage all of you to do the same. Let me know if you hear or observe anything that might be a concern. Each of us exercising a little due diligence helps ensure that nobody gets lost and everyone finishes the hike, injury free.

There are some shallow water crossings, but probably nothing we can't hop across. I recommend bringing hiking poles unless you've tried them and they just don't work for you. We will take a short lunch break, at or around Preacher's Rock.

There is a waterfall near the lake, right at the beginning of the hike. It may not be easily accessible, but we will try to check it out.

Related link to waterfalls:
https://www.gawaterfalls.com/dockery-lake-falls.html

There is lots of parking and no parking fee, since we're day tripping, not camping.

Bring electrolytes, fluids and a light lunch and/or some snacks.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
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Hike Georgia assumes no liability for Meetup events.
Dogs are welcome on this hike, but should be kept on a leash.
Please don't sign up if you don't fully intend to join the hike.