Anna Ruby Falls via Smith Creek Trail

Anna Ruby Falls via Smith Creek Trail

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Unicoi State Park

Hike: Anna Ruby Falls via Smith Creek Trail

Date(s) & Time:

Wed, Jan 29 2025 10:00 am >> Wed, Jan 29 2025 2:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Fri, Jan 17 2025 6:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Tue, Jan 28 2025 6:00 pm

Event Duration:

4 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)

Distance:

8.7 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Chuck M

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

9 / 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:

Come join me in an exploratory hike to Anna Ruby Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Georgia. We will start at the Smith Creek Trail trailhead in Unicoi State Park. We will hike about 4.5 miles along the Smith Creek trail to the Falls. We'll stop to eat lunch at the Falls and then head back the way we came. This is a moderate 9 mile hike with 2,250 feet of climbing, so if you're in decent shape and have a recent D3 or comparable activity, come join us! I will aim for a pace of 2.6 to 2.8 mph (21 to 23 min/mile). Note that the time estimate includes stopping for lunch, but like all exploratory events, it is just an estimate. But we may not stop very long if it is very cold.

Up to two well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome.

There are restrooms at the park lodge, but they are across the street from the trailhead. Allow an extra 15 minutes to visit the restroom and get to the trailhead (see below for directions) at least by 9:50 to allow for introductions before we start hiking at 10.

Here is the route:

Required Items to Bring:

Clothing appropriate to the weather

Water

Rain gear (regardless of the forecast)

Lunch

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

Snacks

Hiking poles

Camera

Binoculars

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

From Helen, go north on GA 356. You will cross Unicoi Lake Dam. Make the first left after you cross the dam. The parking area for Smith Creek trail is .5 miles on your right, across from the Little Brook campground. (NOTE there are bathrooms at the lodge. To use them turn right just over the dam. Then cross the highway to the Smith Creek Trail trailhead.)

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

160Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 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:

There is a $5.00 parking fee per car if you don't have a State Park Annual Pass.

Thanks to Bob Bunner for the original description.

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

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

Anna Ruby Falls via Smith Creek Trail - Wed, Jan 29 2025

Anna Ruby Falls via Smith Creek Trail