Winter backpacking Chunky Gal Trail - Fri, Mar 25 2022

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Winter backpacking Chunky Gal Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Nantahala National Forest   Backpacking: Winter backpacking Chunky Gal Trail  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Mar 25 2022  4:00 pm >> Sun, Mar 27 2022 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 4:00 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 14 2022 7:01 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Mar 23 2022 3:30 pm
Event Duration:2 Days 1 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D7: Extreme (Exploratory)
Distance:28 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Steve H
Jasmine
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 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:

This will be a complete end-to-end thru hike of the 21.6 mile Chunky Gal Trail which will involve two nights and a shuttle. Here is a GPS track of the entire trail. 

https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7062627/chunky-gal-trail

 

We begin on Friday at Deep Gap Parking lot. We will park here and set up camp nearby Deep Gap Campground, eat dinner and enjoy fellowship.

Saturday morning after breakfast, we will break camp and leave by 8am and drive to the Chunky Gal Trailhead, off Tuni Gap Road. We will leave our backpacks in our cars, don daypacks, and hike 3.4 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain west to the summits of Signal Bald and Tusquitee Bald, while enjoying the views near the intersection with the Fires Creek Rim Trail. Here, we turn around and descend back down 3.4 miles to our cars. Here we will have lunch and pick up our backbacks head east on the Chunky Gal trail. Somewhere near Tusquitee Gap (mile 14.2) or Tate Gap (mile 11.5) or Perry Gap (mile 10.3), we will decide to pitch our tents and have dinner. This will be a game day decision, based on how we feel and conditions. Rain or other inclement weather could factor in to the decision when and where to stop.

Sunday morning, we will have breakfast and break camp. Head east on the CGT over Boeteler Peak (mile 7.9), crossing over route 64 at Glade Gap (mile 5.1), Grassy Gap (mile 2.2)  and eventually reaching the AT (mile 0.0). From here, we take a short walk to the Deep Gap trail and back down to our cars at the trailhead. We will have to work out which drivers need to shuttle back to Tuni Gap to pick up vehicles.

On the way home, we will stop for much needed sustenance at a restaurant near Hiawassee or Cleveland. 

Be aware, the trip leaders have not hiked this trail so this is exploratory. However, we have good trail information about the hike and good recent experience hiking in this area, Fires Creek Rim, AT, Deep Gap, etc. There are aspects to this hike that are unknown and we will need to be flexible and using our GPS to stay on track, with blowdowns, etc. Don't sign up if you expect an easy and trouble free walk. 


PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER BACKPACK *** You must be in good physical condition and be able to hike long distances and keep a moderate pace. ***



Required Items to Bring:

Backpack

Tent/Shelter

Sleeping Bag/Sleeping pad

Appropriate clothing for winter camping conditions

Water filter

At least 2 L of water and/or sports drink per day for hiking

Good hiking boots/shoes

Meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, snacks)

Cash for the carpool (if carpooling, change of clothes and shoes)

Rain gear, just in case

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

Hiking pole or poles


How to Get There:
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):280Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 4:00 pm
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $112.00 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:



 


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