Weeknight Len Foote Hike Inn Adventure, at Discounted Rate! - Thu, Jul 8 2010

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Weeknight Len Foote Hike Inn Adventure, at Discounted Rate!


The Basics:
Event Type:Overnight
Event Location: 60 Mi N of Atlanta near Amicalola Falls State Park
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Jul 8 2010  12:15 pm >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 10:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, May 6 2010 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, May 26 2010 5:00 pm
Event Duration:Thu Mid-morning thru Fri Midday
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Bobby Marie
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:$63.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:25
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 26 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

SPECIAL NOTE, JUNE 2:  Although the official sign-up and cancellation date has passed, we've been authorized by the Hike Inn Manager to sell a few more spots for AOCers at the same discounted rate.  If you'd like to join us, sign up for the wait list and email Charlie at Cott4Treks@aol.com.  He'll notify you quickly whether he can confirm you, and if so you'll have 2 or 3 more days to authorize payment of your $63 member fee to the AOC Treasurer - otherwise we'll delete your registration and accept someone below you on the wait list.
SPECIAL NOTE #2, JUNE 8:  We've postponed our meeting time for optional carpooling to 10:30 AM (30 min later than originally announced). This should still give carpoolers adequate time to stop for an early lunch along GA-400 and arrive at the Park Visitor Center by our scheduled 12:15 "check-in" time.

 OVERVIEW: If you enjoy wilderness hiking and adventure, great food, a comfortable bed, and clean restrooms with hot showers—this trip is for you!  The Len Foote Hike Inn sprawls atop a high scenic overlook in North GA's Chattahoochee National Forest.  Its only guests are hikers, who can access it via a beautiful 5-mile trail of moderate difficulty.  Its trailhead adjoins the top of one of America's highest waterfalls in GA's spectacular Amicalola Falls State Park.
  You're sure to enjoy the Hike Inn's food, refreshments & amenities, lush surrounding forest, mountain vistas, well maintained trails, and friendly staff.  For this special Thu-Fri trip our friend Eric Graves, General Mgr of the Inn, has kindly offered the Atlanta Outdoor Club a greatly discounted rate.  Our trip fee includes the usual comfortable double-occupancy accommodations, delicious hot dinner and breakfast served in the dining hall, entertaining evening program, and unlimited use of the Sunrise Room and other amenities.  Your AOC trip leader can facilitate pairing you with a compatible roommate if you don't have one at sign-up time.

TRIP PLAN:
  Thursday:  If you prefer, meet us at 10:30 AM (now 30 min. later than first announced) for "general carpooling" (from GA-400 & Mansell Rd-see below).  At 12:15 PM our entire AOC group will assemble at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center (directions below) where we'll introduce ourselves, finish signing our AOC waiver form and check in formally with the Park rangers for the hike.  For $5 the rangers will issue each driver a special Parking Pass good for both days, Thu-Fri (free if you have a valid 2010 DNR Annual Parking Pass).
  At about 12:45 we'll caravan up to the convenient parking lot for the Len Foote Trail trailhead near the top of Amicalola Falls.  After a short stroll over to the top of the Falls and a group shot or two, we'll begin our 5-mile hike to the Inn—usually about 2 to 2.5 hours.  The trail takes us past several high ridges and overlooks, dips down over a few rocky streams, and suddenly we're there.  The Hike Inn is surrounded by a lush forest of mountain laurel, rhododendron, and majestic hardwoods, and in its yard is a fertile organic garden and enough open space for great stargazing on clear dark nights.
  Upon arrival (about 3:30 PM) we'll enjoy complimentary drinks and goodies in the dining hall and check into our bedrooms.  Each guest is issued a set of fresh linens, including sheets, pillowcase, towel, and washcloth.  The centralized men's and women's bathrooms are spacious and clean, with hot showers, sinks, and toilets.
  After settling in we can hang out in the spacious "Sunrise Room" with its wide assortment of board games, cards, puzzles and books.  We can relax on its porch overlooking the mountains, play a game of horseshoes, or explore the Inn's special self-guiding Nature Trail.  At 5:00 each afternoon the friendly staff offers a tour of the eco-friendly, award-winning Inn and at 6:00 rings the dinner bell.  Everyone gathers in the dining hall for a hearty family-style dinner followed by an entertaining evening program—then there's socializing, games & singing in the Sunrise Room and great stargazing, weather permitting.
  Friday:  Friday morning will likely reward early risers with a beautiful sunrise viewable from the Stonehenge-like "Starbase", whose east-facing cave and pointer stones are aligned with the rising sun on the spring/fall equinoxes and summer/winter solstices.  Delicious hot coffee and tea are available as early as 6:00 AM.  At 8:00 AM we'll gather once more in the dining hall for a hot hearty breakfast.
  Our group will check out and depart the Inn at about 9:30 for our return hike back to Amicalola Falls.  Our main group will hike back along a different route via the beautiful Appalachian Trail "Approach Trail" (slightly longer than the Len Foote Trail) but feel free to hike back the same well-marked way we hiked in if you prefer.  Our "ETA" back at the cars is about 12:00 Noon Friday, which should give carpool groups plenty of time to arrive back in Metro Atlanta before Friday afternoon rush hour.
  Before departing Amicalola Falls join Charlie if you like for an optional hike about halfway down the lovely stairway/boardwalk that descends the cliff by the the Falls, and back up.  It affords fantastic photo ops and views of the Falls! 

For more on the Len Foote Hike Inn, go to:  http://Hike-Inn.com/


Required Items to Bring:


WEAR:
• Well-broken-in Hiking Boots or Athletic Shoes,
• Synthetic or Wool-Blend Socks (avoid cotton),
• Comfortable Hiking Shorts & Shirt
• Sunscreen, Insect Repellant & Cap.

BRING:
• Hiking Stick or Trekking Poles if you have and like to use.

CARRY a LIGHTWEIGHT DAYPACK containing:
• Liter or two of Water (or "Camelbak hydration system) + perhaps a couple of Snack Items or pieces of Fruit,
• Extra layers of light Clothing & Raingear and extra dry Socks,
• Mini-Toiletry Kit w/ Toothbrush & Paste, Shampoo packet, etc.
• Mini-Wallet with ID Cards and a little Cash for Parking, T-Shirts, etc.
• Small Flashlight or Headlamp with fresh batteries
• Camera w/extra Battery/Memory stick: lots of photo-ops!
• Lightweight Binoculars if you like, for stargazing & birdwatching

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

A sunny disposition, a can-do attitude, and lots of vim, vigor & vitality!


How to Get There:
Event Directions:


DIRECTIONS from GA-400/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in N ATLANTA (Sandy Springs) to AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK (about 60 miles or 90 minutes): 

1) Go North on GA-400/US-19 N about 42 miles. (En route, pass at about the 10-mile point our optional GA-400/ Mansell Rd carpool meeting place near Roswell.)
2) Turn Left onto GA-136 (This turn is about 3 mi. beyond the busy built-up GA-53 intersection which is south of Dahlonega. GA-136 is also called Harmony Church Rd.)
3)  Follow GA-136 westward for about 17.3 miles.
4) Bear Right off GA-136 onto GA-183 (a.k.a. Elliott Pkwy) and go about 1.1 miles.
5) Bear Right onto GA-52 East and go 1.6 miles.
6) Turn Left onto Amicalola Falls State Park Rd and go only about 1/4 mile to the State Park Visitor Center on your right.  As discussed above we'll meet here to check in with the Park rangers, get out 2-day special parking passes and assemble for the hike.  The State Park phone number here is 706-265-4703.

FOR A CUSTOMIZED MAP AND DIRECTIONS from your point of origin to the Park Visitor Center, go to Google.com/maps and input this address as your destination:
  240 Amicalola State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):104Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $41.60 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:
Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

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

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$63.00/Person
Non-Member Cost:$68.00/Person
Cost Includes:


• Thu July 8 overnight Lodging at Len Foote Hike
 Inn (double occupancy—roommates facilitated by Trip Leader).
• Thursday Dinner & Friday hot Breakfast in Dining Hall,
• Thu evening Program & Entertainment.
• Use of Sunrise Room, hot Showers, and other amenities.

Payment may be made via PayPal, PC Banking or Check. It is your responsibility to make sure the AOC Treasurer (Treasurer@atlantaoutdoorclub.com) receives your payment by the May 26 due date—otherwise your registration may be deleted and someone from the wait list invited to replace you. Allow at least two days processing for PayPal or PC banking and at least a full week for a mailed-in check.

Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Wed, May 26 2010.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

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

• If you cancel on or before May 26, full payment is refundable less a $5 AOC administrative fee. NO refunds after May 26 unless someone from the event's official wait list replaces you and pays in full, in which case you would be eligible for a full refund less the $5 administrative fee. Any refund requests should be sent to: Treasurer@atlantaoutdoorclub.com
 
• Event is rain or shine, however the trip leader may cancel if extreme weather conditions, etc. are forecast, in which case full refunds would normally be issued.  No refunds or discounted rates for partial attendance.