Fort Mountain Pioneer Camping and Gahuti Trail - Fri, Apr 10 2015

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Fort Mountain Pioneer Camping and Gahuti Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Camping
Event Location: Chatsworth, GA   Camping: Fort Mountain Pioneer Camping and Gahuti Trail  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Apr 10 2015  12:00 pm >> Sun, Apr 12 2015 3:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 1:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 26 2015 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Apr 9 2015 12:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Days 3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:10.2 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Jaime
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Member Cost:$12.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:15
Minimum Group Size:10
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

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:

Fort Mountain derives its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall which stands on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious wall is thought to have been built by Indians as fortification against other more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area, this park offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in northern Georgia. Most wind through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, occasionally crossing streams and providing spectacular vistas. During the summer, children will enjoy the sand beach located on a clear mountain lake.

This is a primitive, rugged site for groups only. Site is off to itself, 520 feet from parking area. Shelter is a 10x14 Adirondack shelter with no water or electricity. Outhouse on site. Tents are permitted in the immediate shelter area. Only one fire is permitted and it must be in the existing fire ring.

* Friday we will arrive and setup camp. WE CAN CHECK IN ANYTIME AFTER 1PM BUT  THERE IS NO ACCESS AFTER 10PM SO PLEASE ARRIVE EARLIER. You are also welcome to join us early Saturday morning if you can't make it friday evening. We can spend the evening making our dinner and hanging out around the camp fire cutting up.  Everyone is on their own regarding food for the weekend but I will pick up some things for s'mores or campfire dessert!

* Saturday we will get up early, have breakfast and get ready to hike the Gahuti Trail. 
The Gahuti Trail travels around the edge of the park, passing just below the summits of Cohutta and Fort mountains. Ever changing, the trail is both beautiful and challenging in all seasons. This is a very scenic trail that features great views and water features.  We'll take it at a fairly moderate pace and stop for lunch at a good vista. Because of distance this trail is rated as a D4.

Trail Map: http://www.gastateparks.org/content/Georgia/parks/trail_maps/FortMountain.pdf

You are are free to relax at camp or check out the campground if you are not up for hiking.
There is also an Scavenger Hunt for all ages in the morning from 9am - 10:30a that starts at the Naturalist Area for a $1 fee. Close toed shoes are required.

* Sunday we will have breakfast, pack up camp and check-out by 1p.  We can check out the area and stop for lunch on the way out if anyone is interested in that.

 


Required Items to Bring:

1 Bag of Firewood (IMPORTANT IF WE WANT A FIRE!!!) 
Tent / Hammocks are allowed
Sleeping Bag
Air Mattress / Sleeping Pad
Clothing for cool or warm weather
Rain Jacket
Flashlight or headlamp
Camp Chair
2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners, Snacks, Water/Drinks
State Parking Pass or $5 cash to park for the weekend per vehicle

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

Bug Spray
Camelback & Plenty of Water
Good Hiking Boots/Shoes
Camera
Snack to Share (optional)
Camp Stove
Cooler 


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From Atlanta: Take I-75 to Exit 293 to Hwy 411 North to Chatsworth. Park is located 8 miles east of Chatsworth on Highway 52.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):144Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 1:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $57.60 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:

Dogs are Permitted and are the repsonibility of the owner. Owner is responsible for dogs behavior. If the dog can not be controlled, trip leader may ask that the dog be removed from the event.  State parks require that pets be on a leach no longer than 6ft.


Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

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

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$12.00/Person
Cost Includes:

Campground fees for 2 nights. Any extra will go toward covering the cost for s'mores/campfire dessert and maybe some bottle water for the group. 

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Thu, Apr 9 2015.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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

If you cancel on or before April 2nd, full payment is refundable less a $5 administrative fee. No refund after April 2nd unless someone from the waitlist replaces you and pays in full.  In that case, you are eligible for a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. 

Event is rain or shine, however the trip leader may cancel if extreme weather conditions are forecast. If the event is cancelled because of extreme weather conditions, you will receive a full refund.