Vineyard Mountain/Red Top - Double Feature **START TIME CHANGE ** - Sat, Jan 20 2024

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Vineyard Mountain/Red Top - Double Feature **START TIME CHANGE **


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Vineyard Mountain Trailhead, Emerson, GA   Hike: Vineyard Mountain/Red Top - Double Feature **START TIME CHANGE **  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jan 20 2024  10:00 am >> Sat, Jan 20 2024 3:00 pm
Registration Opens: Sat, Jan 13 2024 9:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jan 19 2024 5:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:12 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kip
Mahsheed
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

We're combining Vineyard Mountain with a second hike at Red Top Mountain - Homestead Trail in order to add some mileage and additional scenery.

Vineyard Mountain

We will hike all 3 trails on the mountain. We begin at the trailhead on the Yellow Trail, then proceed on to the Red Trail, which takes us to the top of the mountain. After a short break, we descend the Red Trail to the intersection of the Red, Blue and Yellow Trails and then follow the Blue Trail to the base of the mountain. We will ascend the mountain again on the Yellow trail and follow it back to the trailhead. This trail offers beautiful views of Alatoona Lake, the dam, and surrounding landscape.  The views are even more appealing during the winter when the leaves are gone from the trees.

The Vineyard Mountain trail is rugged with steep elevation gains, switchbacks and many obstacles on the hiking paths.  We will hike at approximately 2.7 mph.

Total mileage: 6.2

Then we move our cars across the bridge to the Red Top Mountain Visitor Center.

We will take a 15-20 minute lunch break at the Visitor Center before starting the second leg of the hike.  If you need a park pass, you can buy one at the visitor center during this break.

Red Top Mountain - Homestead Trail

From the Visitor Center, we will hike the Homestead Trail. This trail is 5.8 miles of gently rolling hills.  The second half of the trail offers beautiful views of the Etowah River.

Combined mileage: 12 miles

Previous D4 experience is necessary to attend this hike.  


Required Items to Bring:

Water or hydration liquids

Good hiking shoes or boots

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

Hiking poles

Snacks or lunch for the break between hikes


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Access to the trailhead is off of I-75, exit 285 Red Top Mountain Road.  Head east on Red Top Mountain Rd to the trailhead parking area on the left side of the road.  If you cross the bridge you have gone too far.


Notes:

There is limited parking at the trailhead.  The parking area is a paved cut-out on the left side of the road at the trailhead.  The parking area accommodates about 10-12 cars.  It's recommended that you arrive a little early to ensure that you have a parking space. Traveling with another hiker is also a good idea. 

Red Top is a state park, so an annual pass or $5 day pass is required. 


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


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