Dark and Dinner: Night Hike at Red Top Mountain State Park - Fri, Jul 29 2016

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.



Dark and Dinner: Night Hike at Red Top Mountain State Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville GA   Hike: Dark and Dinner: Night Hike at Red Top Mountain State Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jul 29 2016  8:00 pm >> Fri, Jul 29 2016 11:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:15 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jul 18 2016 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jul 29 2016 4:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:6.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
DaveO
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 16 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

 

Are you finding the daytime temperatures too hot to handle?  Want to try something different?  How about joining us for a night time hike through the woods at Red Top Mountain!  We have special permission from the park rangers to park in their lot and hike their trails this evening.  How grateful we are for their hospitality!  

Night hikes have a lot to offer - - peace and quiet, different sights and sounds, and a delightful eerieness that is just not available when the sun is shining.  The moon will be waning to almost the new moon state, so we will be totally dependent on our headlamps and flashlights to keep us on the trails.  We'll take a moderate pace so that we keep the risk of tripping and falling to a minimum, though the trails are relatively smooth.  It will be an adventure!

That being said, if you aren't used to hiking 5-6 miles, please do not register for this event.  We can't accommodate stragglers who need to frequently stop and rest, as our group must stay together.  We will call you to discuss the hike if your record of events looks questionable. 

We're allowing 3 hours for the hike to accommodate times that we'll stop, look and listen.  We'll be hiking on three trails during the evening - - the Sweetgum Trail, the Homestead Trail, and the White Tail Trail  (which offers a spectacular view of Lake Allatoona).  The moon will be in its waning phase, almost a new moon, so without the interference of moonlight, the stars (if a clear night) should be breathtaking.

Following the hike, we'll hop into our cars and drive to the 24-hour I-Hop on Main Street in Cartersville, just a couple of minutes west of I-75.  (Those who want to skip dinner and head home are certainly welcome to leave the group after the hike.)

If you don't have a Georgia State Park Pass, there is a $5.00 per car fee. There is a self-service drop-box at a kiosk by our parking lot, where you can pay your fee.  Please make sure you have either $5.00 cash or a check to Red Top Mountain State Park.

We'll start on time, so please be sure you allow ample time for travel.  Since we are being given special permission to hike after hours, we will have to be sure to respect the rangers' cautions to stay together as a group and not wander off alone.  If you are inclined to "do your own thing" on hikes, this is not an appropriate event for you.


Required Items to Bring:

headlamp or flashlight 
fluids
sturdy hiking shoes


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

bug spray
trail snacks
hiking poles

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

The park office will be closed, but we'll park in the office lot.  A physical address to use is:
50 Lodge Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

If you start at Chastain Road:

Get on I-75 N  - - 3 min (0.7 mi)
Follow I-75 N to Red Top Mountain Rd SE in Bartow County. Take exit 285 from I-75 N - - 12 min (13.8 mi)
Continue on Red Top Mountain Rd SE. Drive to Lodge Rd SE - -6 min (2.9 mi)
Drive to the parking lot:   50 Lodge Road Southeast, Cartersville, GA 30121

 
 
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):32Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:15 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $12.80 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:

 

Trail map:   

http://redtopmountainstatepark.org/resources/red-top-mountain-state-park-trail-map.pdf

No bathrooms, but plenty of trees!  (Every tree is a bathroom at night!)


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


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