Photo by Mark Zemmin Start off the New Year with a choice of three exciting hikes.
Enjoy beautiful views, cool weather, and good friends. After our hikes we will all gather at Leah Lake to share our day's experiences, chocolate and other goodies!
Please see hike descriptions below for times, and difficulty. Leaders: Brooks Franklin, Brenda Smith, Mark Zemmin and others
Meeting Time, Place, and Directions:
Hike A 9:00am, Hike B 9:30am, and Hike C 10:00am.
All hikes start at 4811 Mulberry Rd, Otto N.C. Take your road of chance to Clayton, GA and get on Hwy 441 north out of Clayton. After approximately 5 miles Rabun Gap Nacoochee School will be on your left. Cross a bridge over Betty's Creek and go one tenth of a mile and turn left on Betty Creek Rd. After approximately 5 miles Betty Creek Rd becomes Mulberry Rd as it enters NC. Go two tenths of a mile and you will see parking on the right in a field.
Outing Location:
Chattahoochee National Forest and Southern Nantahala Wilderness in Georgia and North Carolina.
USGS Quadrangle:
Dillard and Prentiss
Distance and Difficulty:Hike A - Distance: Approximately 11 miles. Difficulty: Strenuous. 4000 ft of elevation climb. Description: We will hike through the Southern Nantahala Wilderness up to Ridgepole Mountain. We will travel from Patterson Gap up Grassy Ridge Trail to the AT at Carter's Gap, then continue along the AT to Mooney's Gap, and later, to Pickens Nose. The hike concludes by following a steep ridge down to Leah's Lake. Picture Perfect: The views from the AT and Pickens Nose of the surrounding mountains and valleys will literally knock your cap off!
Hike B - Distance: Approximately 5 miles. Difficulty: Moderate. 1500 ft of elevation climb, with a quarter mile strenuous climb, moderate but steady pace. Description: We will be hiking in both the Nantahala and Chattahoochee National Forests. Leaving Leah's Lake and meandering between NC and GA through Owens Gap we will travel up to Hog Mountain and then descend below and around Owens Mountain back to Leah's Lake.
Hike C - Distance: Approximately 3 miles. Difficulty: Moderately easy with short, moderate hills and leisurely pace. Description: Leaving Leahs Lake on winding trails below Owens Mountain, we will hike to Nomoho rock on the Hambridge Center, a 600 acre natural preserve, and then return to Leah's Lake.
Picture Perfect: Hikes B & C are winter wonderlands of historic logging roads turned into paths that weave through valleys and over small ridges with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains of the Nantahala National Forest.
What to Bring and Wear: Lunch, water, rain gear if showers are expected, appropriate clothing and footwear, walking stick if needed, and if you are allergic to bees/wasps, remember your meds/epi-pen.
It can be windy and much colder at higher elevations, please come prepared!
Participant Limit:
12 per hike. Anyone over 12 years old is welcome.
Family Safety Policy: Outings are smoke, alcohol, and drug free.
Pet Policy: Social dogs requiring little or no attention are invited on hikes B and C.
Post Hike Gathering: After your hike, everyone is invited back to Leah Lake Farm to share black eye peas for good luck, greens for prosperity, apple cider because we love the mountains, and chocolate because we are good. Come with a resolution to support GFW and help protect our National Forests. Reservations required! This outing is free of charge, and open to everyone on a "first come, first served" basis up to the limit. Please provide your name, e-mail address, and phone number (preferably cell if you'll have one with you on outing day) and your preferred route to reserve your space.
Cancellation:
Hike will go on snow or shine, but if raining the outing will be postponed until the 2nd.
To sign up contact Brooks at brooksandmo@gmail.com (Questions? Call Brooks at 706-746-4440.)
WHEN YOU SIGN UP: PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR ROUTE - HIKE A, B, OR C. |
