Rescheduled: Wednesday at Cloudland Canyon - Wed, Mar 4 2015

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Rescheduled: Wednesday at Cloudland Canyon


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cloudland Canyon - - Rising Fawn, GA
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Mar 4 2015  9:00 am >> Wed, Mar 4 2015 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Feb 16 2015 8:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Mar 3 2015 9:00 am
Event Duration:8 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:10 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Ann
Ralph Howard
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:0
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Ralph and Ann are excited to do this trip to Cloudland, one of the state's most beautiful parks.  We feel confident about staying on the trail using trail maps. 

When determining your plans, be sure you allow 9 total hours for the entire trip - - 5 hours for the event plus driving time.

We'll start our hike by viewing the Cherokee and Hemlock Falls.  From there, we'll descend the stairs (and they are numerous) and travel 2 miles along Sitton's Gulch Trail.  We'll then return along the same trail and climb those same stairs (the most challenging part of our hike).  Having completed this portion of the event, we'll then follow the trail to the West Rim Loop. This part of the hike is through a wooded, beautiful 5 mile lollipop trail.  On a clear day, there are several spectacular scenic vistas from the West Rim.

Cloudland Canyon is one of the 4 Georgia canyons that qualify hikers for the Canyon Climber's Club! (The others are Providence Canyon, Amicalola Falls, and Tallullah Gorge.) At the Visitor's Center, one can buy a Canyon Climber's card for $10.  After completing hikes at each canyon and getting the card stamped at each Visitor's Center, a person can mail in the card for a Canyon Climber's shirt!  It's a nice way to support Georgia's state parks.


Required Items to Bring:

Sturdy hiking shoes

Plenty of water

Lunch to eat during the event

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Layers/warm jacket - - depending on the weather

Hiking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Thanks to Charlie C. for his directions to Cloudland Canyon

DIRECTIONS to CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK MAIN PARKING LOT near the Interpretive Center and restroom building.

122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd., Rising Fawn, GA 30738: GPS 34.83473,-85.47988

  
1.  From the I-75/I-285 Interchange take I-75 North about 60 miles to I-75 Exit #320, [GA   136].
2.  Turn Left onto GA-136 West and carefully follow the GA-136 signs about 48 miles (through several sharp turns) to the Cloudland Canyon State Park entrance on your right.  (The Park entrance is on GA-136 about 0.8 miles beyond its junction with GA-189, the "Lookout Mtn Pkwy.")  

More cautionary notes:  Along GA-136 pass through the towns of Villanow, Lafayette, and Cooper Heights, GA and climb up the steep eastern slope of Lookout Mtn.  Be esp. vigilant for the GA-136 signs when bypassing Lafayette:  There's a hard Right turn onto the Lafayette bypass (concurrent with 4-lane US-27) - then another hard Right followed by a hard Left to stay on GA-136 (leaving US-27) just 3 miles north of Lafayette!


3. Just after entering the Park pay the $5 cash parking fee at the roadway kiosk if you don't already have an annual pass. The Visitor Center is on the road to the right as you enter the park. Free park maps are also available here.
4. Continue on the Park entrance road about 1 more mile (northward) and park in the main visitors' parking lot.  We'll all gather at 10:00 beside the Restroom Building.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):200Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $80.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

If you have a state park pass, please bring it.  Cars without passes must pay a $5 state park entry fee.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.