Please Note: This event is planned for AOC members who wish to spend at least one night Camping with us at the amazing annual TrailFest festival (Fri-Sun, at no charge). Each of our confirmed campers is welcome to arrive and check in with our REI hosts at the Appalachian Outfitters campsite as early 5:00 PM Friday. You then can set up camp with your tent, hammock, etc. as discussed below. We had previously stated in error that "Midday Friday" setup was allowed.. - Updated by Charlie, Tue Sep 5th.
Good News for our ~30 original AOC Camping confirmees: Our REI friends who manage Trailfest camping assure us that we are indeed welcome to use the main Appalachian Outfitters campsite, but they urge us to arrange CARPOOLING with one another if possible, since parking space at the campsite is a bit limited. - Updated by Charlie, Sat Sep 1st.
Gorgeous Clear Skies are expected all weekend throughout North GA! The latest Friday thru Sunday forecasts for Dahlonega expect ideal camping weather, with afternoon highs in the 70s, nightly lows in the 50s, and comfortable low humidity. It's virtually certain that no "spinoff showers" from Hurricane Irma will arrive here in North GA before Monday although it will get a little breezy on Sunday. Let's definitely stick with our plans for this event and the other advertised AOC Trailfest options. - Updated by Charlie, Wed Sep 6th.
A Sat Sep 9th Day Trip has also been posted for members who prefer arriving Sat morning and returning home that afternoon or evening and now even a 3rd option that includes Sat AM Volunteer Trailwork near Amicalola Falls, just west of Dahlonega, with our REI Trailfest hosts. All three events feature festive gatherings at our AOC "Outreach Booth" on the town square, an optional Appalachian Trail Group Hike (Sat 1-4 PM) and the sharing of inexpensive "Trail Magic" items that we each bring for the benefit of fellow hikers. - see below. Special THANKS to our AOC Social Director Stacey Johnson and our Outreach Director DaveO for managing the Outreach Tent! We intend to go ahead with this event Rain or Shine since we can easily find shelter in the event of severe weather.
WHAT IS TRAILFEST? Just 50 miles north of Atlanta, the historic "gold rush" town of Dahlonega is near the southern end of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and is widely known as Georgia's gateway to the legendary 2200-mile-long footpath. Each year this friendly mountain community celebrates hiking, camping and backpacking by hosting on its town square a wonderful free event called "TrailFest," with fascinating outdoor-related presentations, live music, arts & crafts displays, delicious food & refreshments and much more! This will be our 3rd Annual AOC participation, and believe us, the festival is always a blast!
Click here to reach the festival website: http://DahlonegaTrailfest.org/ For activities options & details click keywords on the left side of the home page - e.g., "Camping"..."Activities," etc. Click "Program," etc. for this year's weekend-long schedule of presentations, films, live music performances, etc. (which will continue to have new things added up thru early Sep). Among the scheduled speakers each year are famous AT thru-hikers who began or ended their 2200-mile backpacking quest at nearby Springer Mtn or Amicalola Falls.
AOC WEEKEND PLAN: Trailfest 2017 is again offering up to 2 nights of free Camping in the Appalachian Outfitters' lovely riverfront "primitive" (a.k.a ""pioneer") group campsite beside the Chestatee River, ~2 miles toward Atlanta from the town square. (See Map and more Details & Directions below.) There's no need to bring much in the way of personal food & refreshments for the weekend since there are many excellent restaurants & cafes (+ supermarkets, etc.) there in Dahlonega.
As they did last year our Dahlonega hosts have again offered the AOC free TrailFest booth space on the town square where we'll set up our own AOC "Trail Magic and Outreach" Tent. We hope you can pitch in there from time to time over the weekend and add your own personal touch to our volunteer efforts. We can enjoy the jovial atmosphere of the festival and "spread the gospel" about what a fine Club we have (alongside like-minded partners such as the Len Foote Hike Inn and GA Appalachian Trail Club). Both at our AOC booth and at nearby "Woody Gap" on the AT we intend to build on our Club's fine tradition of being "good-samaritan volunteers" and spreading what hikers and backpackers call "Trail Magic." Each AOC member is encouraged to bring and share a few tasty goodies, small outdoor items, etc. with other hiking enthusiasts - esp. those whom we'd like to become AOC members and supporters. A list of some specific suggested "Trail Magic" items appears below in "Recommended Items to Bring."
SAT 1:00 PM GROUP HIKING OPTION: As worked out well in 2015 & 2016, on Saturday afternoon we'll offer an optional scenic AT Group Hike, from the GA-60 trailhead at Woody Gap to the spectacular "Preacher's Rock" lookout and back - about a 3-hour total excursion from Dahlonega, with about 2 miles of relatively easy hiking. If you'd like to join us for this, meet me (Charlie) at 1:00 PM at the AOC Outreach Tent. We'll "carpool-caravan " to the parking lot/ trailhead at Woody Gap (about 10 miles north of Dahlonega via GA-60). During the hike we'll share "real-time Trail Magic" with other hikers & backpackers whom we meet, as we enjoyed doing in 2015 & '16. For those who may prefer a longer and more strenuous hike, we may arrange a guided optional extension beyond Preacher's Rock about 6 more miles to lovely Dockery Lake (at a leisurely pace, via the AT and the Dockery Lake Trail). It's easy to set up a vehicle shuttle for this if you're interested in the extended hike (2 to 3 extra hours, in lieu of returning from Preacher's Rock to Woody Gap with our main hiking group).
CAMPING DETAILS: Our friends at Appalachian Outfitters again this year have graciously invited our AOC "subgroup" and other TrailFest attendees to set up our tents, hammocks, etc. and camp all weekend on their shady grassy Chestatee River waterfront property. The campsite is conveniently located at the "Tubing Launch Site" just off GA-60, 2 miles toward Atlanta from Dahlonega, but is "PRIMITIVE," with NO electricity or running water, so bring your own water in jugs, etc. Click the square blue & green "Event Location" icon above for a zoomable map and satellite view of of the campsite location - also see below easy precise Directions from metro Atlanta.
Feel free to park and check in with our REI hosts at the Campsite as early as 5:00 PM Friday. (We had previously stated "midday" or 12:00 noon in error.) Then feel free to set up your tent or hammock anywhere in the large grassy campsite. (Our AOC "group area" will likely again be mostly in the shady left rear corner of the site.) Each confirmed camper is welcome to pack up and depart as late as Sunday afternoon. Porta-toilets for campers will be available nearby. (It's best to bring any water you expect to need in jugs, etc.) More details will be emailed to all AOC registrants, and for TrailFest's official "Camping" webpage click here: http://dahlonegatrailfest.org/camping.html
We intend to leave the group campsite in even better condition when we depart than when we arrive - also let's be sure to observe "quiet hours" late at night to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all TrailFest campers.
By the way, on Sat Sep 9th Appalachian Outfitters (at their HQ shop beside the camping area) will be having their big 1-day ANNUAL FALL SALE of used kayaks, canoes and paddling gear beginning promptly at 9:00 AM and likely selling out in a few minutes. Ideally be there and get in line by 7:30 AM for the best deals. I feel sure that many of us will want to check this out! For more details click here for their website and feel free to call them: http://www.canoegeorgia.com/
A FEW MORE CAMPING DETAILS including escerpts from FESTIVAL WEBSITE: Trail Fest camping is available at no cost at our shady campsite on the bank of the Chestatee River, about 1-3/4 mile south of the Dahlonega town square where the festival events will take place. This official campground of the festival is sponsored and managed by REI. Share backpacking stories around the fire pit or cook your food on camp cooking equipment provided by REI. This year REI volunteers will serve free prepared samples of their hottest-selling freeze-dried backpacking foods and host on Saturday night a big campfire with S'mores.
Ample parking adjoins the tentsites. Portajohn toilets are provided. Limited free drinking water is available at the nearby Appalachian Outfitters main facility, but not at the campsite (as discussed above). There are changing rooms, but no showers - swimming is fine in the adjoining river. Tubing will be available during the day on Saturday. The site will be supervised by REI staff who will be camping here too.
MAP of DAHLONEGA showing our CAMPING LOCATION, MAIN SQUARE LOCATION of AOC OUTREACH TENT, etc.
LOCAL DAHLONEGA AREA HIKING: In additions to the Saturday afternoon Woody Gap AT hike options discussed above campers can also make time over the weekend to explore one or more of the pretty trail networks that directly adjoin the town. I (Charlie) enjoyed this personally last year. Here are links to writeups for three such areas that have scenic trails, and each webpage has a link to lots of nice photos:
1. YAHOOLA CREEK PARK (2 mi. E of town): http://www.tripleblaze.com/hiking-trails/Georgia/Yahoola-Creek-Park_2348
2. YAHOOLA CREEK RESERVOIR (2 mi. NE of town): http://www.tripleblaze.com/hiking-trails/Georgia/Yahoola-Creek-Reservoir_1334
3. UNIV. of NORTH GA CAMPUS TRAIL (1 mi. W of town): http://www.tripleblaze.com/hiking-trails/Georgia/NGCSU-Athletic-Complex_2592
SPECIAL THANKS to our friend Tom Lamb and his family, the chief organizers of Dahlonega TrailFest, who have invited us again to enjoy this excitingly different AOC event. |
Required Items to Bring:
- Comfortable Clothing and Footwear appropriate for the weather forecast.
- WATER: Important! Each camper should bring in your vehicle about 2 GALLONS of WATER for EACH night that you plan to spend at the Campsite (in jugs, tappers, etc. - for drinking, cooking, washing, etc. ) There is NO potable water or running water available at the campsite.
- Camping Gear of your choice including your Tent (or Hammock System), Sleeping Bag, Camp Chair, etc. (A few of our chairs may also be useful at our AOC "Outreach Tent" on the Town Square over the weekend.)
- Food, Refreshments & Supplies of your choice (keeping in mind that numerous excellent restaurants, cafes, etc. are within about a 10-minute drive from the campsite). REI volunteers will be managing the campsite this year and are providing demo camp stoves and cooking gear - available to use at no charge in lieu of bringing our own. |  | Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- FOOD & DRINK COOLER with your favorite beverages, pre-prepared snacks, plenty of ice, etc.
- LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDING CAMP TABLE, if you have one and can conveniently bring it. The campsite has several picnic tables, but they're available on a "first-come" basls.
- "TRAIL MAGIC" ITEMS: Small lightweight donated snacks, refreshments and gifts (of your choice) to share with AT Hikers and other Trailfest attendees. This is totally up to you to decide, but below are some suggestions based on what has been popular and appreciated in in past years. Since each of us will presumably bring several things to share there's no need for any one volunteer to bring more than perhaps $5 to $10 worth of stuff. Below are a few specific suggestions, but feel free to be creative and to bring "extras" of anything you may already have on hand at home and consider appropriate (including perhaps a few "gently used" small gear items that you no longer need). Please make sure that anything you bring is PACKAGED APPROPRIATELY. ZipLoc Bags of various sizes are a great idea with the advantage of being resealable and that what's inside can be easily seen! Ideally bring things that you personally enjoy and find useful so you can "sell others on them" etc. Let's all feel free to sample or otherwise share some of the items that we or other AOCers bring - esp. if there's an excess of certain things. Here are a few ideas:
TRAIL MAGIC SNACK SUGGESTIONS:
- Homemade Brownies
- Homemade "GORP" (or your favorite commercial brand of Trail Mix) in small ZipLoc Snack bags. It's easy to make "Good Ole Raisins & Peanuts" by combining roasted peanuts, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate morsels, etc.
- Fresh (or dried) Apples, Oranges, Bananas, etc.
TRAIL MAGIC BEVERAGE SUGGESTIONS:
- Small Juice Boxes
- Hot Chocolate (in a large thermos, etc. AOC will provide cups.)
- Lemonade (AOC will provide some in a big iced-down cooler + cups.)
TRAIL MAGIC GEAR/ SUPPLIES SUGGESTIONS:
- Small Carabiners
- Small Directional Compasses
- Lip Balm, Small tubes of Sunscreen, etc.
- Assortment of clear ZipLoc Bags (inserted inside one another in various sizes. Useful to hikers for consolidating and waterproofing items in their daypacks, backpacks, etc.) | |
| Event Directions: | | DIRECTIONS to DAHLONEGA TRAILFEST GROUP CAMPING AREA from the GA-400 / I-285 INTERCHANGE on ATLANTA'S NORTH SIDE:
1. From the GA-400/ I-285 Interchange take GA-400 North for about 47 miles to its official end at the GA-60 junction near Dahlonega. (En route note that a convenient meetup spot for "custom carpooling" is the Park & Ride lot at the GA-400 Mansell Rd exit in Roswell/Alpharetta - about 9 miles north of I-285.)
2. Turn Left at the traffic light onto GA-60 toward Dahlonega, stay on it about 4 miles and look for the "Appalachian Outfitters" headquarters facility on your left. (Feel free to stop here and inquire if you have any special needs for camping, etc.)
3 Continue another 0.2 mile beyond the Outfitters HQ on GA-60 and turn Left at the "Appalachian Outfitters Tubing" sign (onto "Golden Ave," just beyond the GA-60 bridge over the Yahoola Creek).
4. Turn Left again (almost immediately) and bear leftward about 1/4 mile down the gravel road to the "Tubing" parking area and group campsite that adjoins the Chestatee River and Yahoola Creek.
5. Please Check In with our REI campsite hosts who manage the site and don't hesitate to ask for help with parking, setting up your tent, etc. Stacey and I (Charlie) will be assisting our REI friends and will be glad to advise and assist you if we're there when you arrive. We'll likely again target the shady and grassy left side of the campground as our main AOC group area. Please do your part to keep the campsite neat & clean, and properly dispose of trash, etc. per the Trailfest guidelines.
FOR a ZOOMABLE MAP or SATELLITE VIEW of the CAMPING AREA click on the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.
GPS and MAPS.GOOGLE.com USERS: Feel free to augment the above written directions by entering the following Lat/Lon coordinates as your "Destination Address" for the TrailFest group camping area: 34.509,-83.976
DRIVING DIRECTIONS from GROUP CAMPING AREA to RECOMMENDED DAHLONEGA TRAILFEST VISITOR PARKING at the UNIV. of NORTH GA:
1. Turn Right out of the Camping Area onto Golden Avenue and go only about 0.1 mile to GA-60.
2. Turn Left onto GA-60 and go about 1.4 mile to the traffic light just beyond the McDonald's Restaurant on your left.
3. Continue straight ahead at the light onto S Chestatee Street and continue about 0.2 mile to the big Univ. of North GA entrance gate on your left.
4. Turn Left through the entrance gate (onto "Georgia Circle") and then turn Right (northward) at your first opportunity into the large parking lot. Ideally park as far northward as possible so as to have the shortest walking distance to the town square. (Here are the approx Lat/Lon coordinates of a suggested ideal parking spot in that lot: 34.5301,-83.9833 ) If no University parking spaces are available you should be able to find a curbside space on one of the nearby city streets.
5. To reach the town square and our AOC Trailfest Outreach Tent, etc. walk about 0.2 mile northward up Chestatee Street (past the Starbucks coffee shop).
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