Dockery Lake to Preaching Rock, via Appalachian Trail - Sat, Dec 3 2011

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Dockery Lake to Preaching Rock, via Appalachian Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: North of Dahlonega, GA   Hike: Dockery Lake to Preaching Rock, via Appalachian Trail   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Dec 3 2011  8:50 am >> Sat, Dec 3 2011 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 9:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Nov 15 2011 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Dec 2 2011 9:00 pm
Event Duration:11 Hours 10 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:10 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kristi
Rafiq
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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:3
Number Registered So Far: 14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
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, then there is an increased chance of things not going as planned, and as such, you need to be prepared for such. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.
(I added the note above because the first part of the hike is a section that I've not been on before.  These trails are well defined so I do not expect that we'll have any navigation issues.)

Are you looking to challenge yourself beyond the local Kennesaw and Stone Mountain hikes?  Have you been sitting too much in the cubicle or office?  Need to stretch the legs and challenge the lungs a bit?  We are going to North GA and will enjoy the beauty of the Appalachian mountains in the winter landscape!

We will go at a steady, average to moderate pace, with stops to take breaks and pictures on the trail.  

This is an in and out hike with a total distance of 10.2 miles and vertical rise of 1,550 feet. Overall, the hike offers views of Dockery Lake, scenic creeks, dark hemlock forests, and vistas from Preaching Rock. It is among the closest to Atlanta of any hike in the Blue Ridge.  I have used copy/some words from previous trip leaders here, so thank you Tom J and John W!

This hike starts at Dockery Lake just 12 miles north of Dahlonega, GA. We will go 3.6 miles on the Dockery Lake Trail to reach the Appalachian Trail. We will then make a left on the Appalachian Trail and continue hiking for 1.4 miles until we reach Big Cedar Mountain. A blue-blazed side trail will take us to a scenic overlook called Preaching Rock. Here, at 3,600 feet, we will have a south-easterly view of the mountains, valleys, and Piedmont. From there, it's back down the way we came, back to the lake where we will walk the short but pretty lake trail before leaving in our cars.

On the return, we'll drive to and stop in the mountain town of Dahlonega to stroll the streets and enjoy the holiday lights (if it is dark enough).  Then, we will drive about two miles south and have dinner at http://www.yahoolacreekgrill.com/. If it is full/a long wait, we can stop in Dawsonville at Johnny's Pizza as an alternate.  

Required Items to Bring:
2 liters or more of water
Trail food/lunch
Hiking boots or shoes
Rain gear, just in case		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
You may wish to bring
Camera
Hiking Poles
Change of shoes and clothes for drive back


How to Get There:
Event Directions:North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at the Chevron station make a left onto US-19/GA60 until you reach Dahlonega. We will make a pit stop at the McDonalds there.  It will be on your left on US-19/GA-60 in Dahlonega.  From Dahlonega, take GA 60 north for 12 miles. Turn right at the sign for Dockery Lake on Forest Road 654 for 1 mile. Pass through the campground, then stay right to reach the day-use parking area. The Dockery Lake Trail starts on the right side of the parking area.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):115Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 9:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $46.00 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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