2018-06-16 GSMNP-002 Flame Azalea Hike to Gregory Bald - Sat, Jun 16 2018

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.



2018-06-16 GSMNP-002 Flame Azalea Hike to Gregory Bald


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Twentymile Ranger Station Trailhead
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 16 2018  9:30 am >> Sat, Jun 16 2018 5:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, May 21 2018 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Jun 14 2018 7:00 pm
Event Duration:Approx. 8 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:15.7 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bill Wey
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:2
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

<<< Potential Weather >>>

There may be a chance of rain/shower, but when weather is warm it can be more comfortable and refreshing to go hiking than staying indoors. Bring rain gear if you prefer, even though we’ll be totally sweaty and wet anyway. So bring clean shirt for change is probably even more important for your comfort.

<<< Flame Azalea Hike to Gregory Bald from Twentymile Ranger Station Trailhead >>>

Gregory Bald standing at 4,949 feet elevation in GSMNP has stunning year-round 360-degree mountain views. Yet it is most famous for its brilliant and spectacular azaleas shrub. Thousands of flame azaleas bloom there with white, pink, yellow, orange, and striking orange-red colors in the summer season from mid to late June only! We’re going to be there this year.

We meet and start from the Twentymile Ranger Station trailhead. We go in the clockwise direction to complete our Gregory Bald loop hike.

We’ll go about 0.5 miles on Twentymile trail to the junction of Wolf Ridge Trail. We’ll take the left fork following Wolf Ridge Trail. At about 1.7 miles at the junction of Twentymile Loop trail, we’ll take the left fork again to continue on Wolf Ridge Trail. We’ll pass Dalton Branch Campsite at about 2.5 miles, and continue uphill trekking to reach Parson Bald at about 6.1 miles. We’ll continue on Wolf Ridge Trail and reach Sheep Pen Gap (Campsite 13) at about 6.8 miles. Then it’s a short 0.4 miles on the Gregory Bald Trail to the top of Gregory Bald Summit.

We’ll enjoy our lunch break at the summit with excellent views. After lunch break we’ll go about 0.8 miles on Gregory Bald Trail, and then follow Long Hungry Ridge Trail for about 4.6 miles mostly all downhill. We’ll connect Twentymile Trail to hike about 2.6 miles along the scenic Twentymile creek. Before the junction of Wolf Ridge Trail, we’ll take a side trail to the Twentymile Creek Cascade and snap some great photos, and then continue on this side trail to get back to Twentymile trail. At the junction of Wolf Ridge Trail, we’ll continue on Twentymile Trail for about 0.5 miles to get back to our cars.

The event duration does NOT include our travelling/ driving time. Our duration time is an estimate, and we need to have some flexibility.

This event is physically challenging and rewarding! You can fully enjoy it IF AND ONLY IF you have good fitness and endurance. Please only register if you are comfortable hiking long distance in the real mountain environments, and have recent D5 experience.

If your experience is not from the club, please include it in a note when you register. TL(s) reserves the right to remove registrants without sufficient track record for the safety of everyone. We encourage our members to actively participate with joyful experience, and most importantly to stay healthy and safe at the end of each event!


Required Items to Bring:

If you're in other member’s car: bring extra pair of Clean shoes, bag for changed shoes, towel to sit on. Only enter with clean shoes. Remove all trash and your belongings.

Cash for carpool driver.

Change of clothing for summer season.

Good hiking boots/shoes.

Plenty of water and lunch/snacks for a long day on the road.

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

Hiking poles

Camera

Rain gear if you prefer


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Use Google Map address if meet at the event.

Twenty Mile Ranger Station, Twenty Mile Ranger Station Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

 

If meeting at the event, please arrive before event starting time so we can start on time.

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):300Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:15 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $120.00 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:

1. This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not satisfactory for an enjoyable outing.

2. Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.


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


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