Len Foote Hike Inn Peak Fall Color Trip: A few spots still available! - Wed, Oct 17 2012

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.



Len Foote Hike Inn Peak Fall Color Trip: A few spots still available!


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: 60 Mi N of Atlanta, just beyond Amicalola Falls   Adventure: Len Foote Hike Inn Peak Fall Color Trip: A few spots still available!  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Oct 17 2012  12:00 pm >> Thu, Oct 18 2012 1:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 10:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Sep 25 2012 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Oct 9 2012 4:00 pm
Event Duration:Wed thru Thu, w/ overnight stay & 2 meals at Inn.
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:5.3 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
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:$71.50/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

EXTRA! EXTRA!  Although our official cutoff was Tue Oct 9, as of this morning (Wed) the Hike Inn still has several rooms available for this "prime-time" overnighter.  Sign up ASAP for our wait list and we likely can still confirm you!   Our special discounted Club rate is just $71.50 including Wed night accommodations and two delicious hot meals.  Your trip leader can facilitate pairing you up with a compatible and friendly roommate if you don't already have one.  -Charlie, Oct 10, 2012

IN A NUTSHELL: If you enjoy wilderness hiking and adventure, great food, a warm bed, and clean restrooms with hot showers—this trip is for you!  There's no prettier time of year in the mountains of North GA than late October when the fall foliage is at its colorful peak.  The Len Foote Hike Inn is situated atop a scenic overlook more than 3000' above sea level in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  Its only guests are hikers, and we can "hike in" via either of two beautiful trails, each about 5 miles long and not difficult esp. if you take your time.  The trailhead & parking lot for both trails adjoins the top of one of America's highest waterfalls in spectacular Amicalola Falls State Park.
  You're sure to enjoy the Hike Inn's meals, refreshments & amenities, lush surrounding forest, mountain vistas, well maintained trails, and friendly staff.  For this special Wed-Thu trip our friend Eric Graves, Exec. Director of the Inn, has offered the Atlanta Outdoor Club a discounted rate.  Our trip fee includes the usual comfortable accommodations (2 twin beds per room), delicious hot dinner and breakfast served in the dining hall, an entertaining evening program, and unlimited use of the Sunrise Room and other amenities.  Your trip leader can facilitate pairing you with a compatible and friendly AOC roommate if you don't find one for yourself.
  By the way, in case you'd like to spend an extra day and night at the Hike Inn, it's likely that you can make reservations for yourself and any others in your party.  Just call their reservations number at 800-581-8032, mention that you're with our AOC Oct 17 group, and it's likely they can offer you a similar discount for an extended stay through Thu night.

TRIP PLAN:
WED OCT 17:  If you prefer, meet us at 10:15 AM for optional "general carpooling" (from GA-400 & Mansell Rd - see below).  At 12:00 Noon our entire AOC group will assemble at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center (directions below) where we'll introduce ourselves and check in formally with the Park rangers for the hike.  The rangers will issue each driver a special Parking Pass good for the duration of your Hike Inn stay ($5 per vehicle, or free if you have a valid GA State Parks Annual Parking Pass).
  At 12:15 PM we'll caravan from the Visitor Center 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 hike to the Inn—usually about 2.5 to 3 hours.  We may divide into two hiking groups, one to take the "Len Foote Hike Inn Trail" and the other to take the "AT Approach Trail," each a bit more than 5 miles.  Both are clearly "blazed," so if you prefer, feel free to hike on your own and take your own pace!  Our walk takes us past several high ridges & overlooks and across lovely mountain glades and streams.  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 (~3:00 to 4:00 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.  Warm blankets are kept in each room and electric heaters are also available if needed.  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.  Each afternoon the friendly staff offers a 5:00 tour of the eco-friendly, award-winning Inn and at 6:00 they ring the dinner bell.  Everyone gathers in the dining hall for a hearty family-style dinner followed by an entertaining and informative evening program—then there's socializing, games & singing in the Sunrise Room and great stargazing, weather permitting.

THU OCT 18: If the weather cooperates, morning will reward early risers with a spectacular sunrise (~7:44 AM EDT) viewable from the Stonehenge-like "Starbase," whose cave and middle pointer stones are aligned with the rising sun on the fall & spring equinoxes.  Other stones point to sunrise on the summer & winter solstices and trustworthy Polaris is always there in the same spot, night or day just above the Sunrise Room. Think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!  
  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 hearty hot breakfast.
  Most of us (except for any of us who may have arranged to spend an extra night) will plan to check out and depart the Inn at about 9:30 for our return hike back to Amicalola Falls.  We suggest that each party hike back via a different trail than you hiked in on, but feel free to "do your own thing" if you prefer hiking independently - the trails are very well marked.  For most of us our "ETA" back at the cars will be about 12:15 PM Thursday, which should give our carpool groups plenty of time to arrive back in Metro Atlanta before rush hour traffic gets too bad.

OPTIONAL POST-HIKE FALLS-VIEW STROLL! Before departing the Park feel free to join Charlie for an easy hike to a beautiful view of Amicalola Falls.  This 20-minute-roundtrip "stroll" begins and ends at the "West Ridge" parking lot that's about halfway down the mountain from our overnight Parking Lot atop the Falls.

RAIN OR SHINE EVENT:  All Hike Inn trips are considered "rain or shine" events.  The Inn's policy is not to issue refunds or credits for late cancellations except for unusually extreme weather such as hurricanes or ice storms.  If rain is expected we suggest keeping handy in the top of your pack a compact umbrella (and/or other lightweight raingear). The Inn itself provides great weather protection and we've always enjoyed trips there even when it's been stormy.

OR MORE on the LEN FOOTE HIKE INN, go to their excellent website:  http://Hike-Inn.com/

 

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Required Items to Bring:


WEAR:
• Well-broken-in Hiking Boots or Athletic Shoes.
• Synthetic or Wool-Blend Socks (Avoid cotton.)
• Comfortable lightweight Clothing Layers appropriate for weather. including Raingear if the forecast so indicates.
• Sunscreen and Cap.

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

CARRY a LIGHTWEIGHT DAYPACK containing:
• Liter of Water (or "Camelbak hydration system)
 + perhaps a couple of Snack Items.
• Mini-Toiletry Kit w/ Toothbrush & Paste. (Soap/Shampoo provided at Inn.)
• Mini-Wallet with ID Cards and a little Cash for Parking, T-Shirts, etc.
• Small Headlamp or Flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Consider also bringing in your pack your Camera, a change of dry Socks & Underwear, and a compact Umbrella if showers are expected.

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


A sunny disposition, a can-do attitude, and 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. North on GA-400/US-19 N about42 miles. (En route,about 10 miles N of GA-400, you'll pass our optional Mansell Rd Exit 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 our special overnight parking passes, then caravan to the top-of-the-falls parking lot to begin the hike.  The State Park Visitor Center phone number is 706-265-4703 and the Hike Inn number is 706-864-4020.

FOR A CUSTOMIZED MAP AND DIRECTIONS from your point of origin to our meetup spot at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center, go to Google.com/maps and input the following address or Lat/Lon coordinates as your destination.  You can also click on the above rectangular blue & green "Event Location" icon for a zoomable online map or satellite view.
  240 Amicalola State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA
  34.5581,-84.2493

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):104Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:15 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:$71.50/Person
Cost Includes:


• Wed Oct 17 overnight Lodging at Len Foote Hike
 Inn (double-occ, 2 twin beds per room — roommates facilitated by Trip Leaders).
• Wed hot Dinner & Thu hot Breakfast in Dining Hall + 24-hr beverages.
• Wed 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 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 Tue, Oct 9 2012.
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 Oct 9, full payment is refundable less a $5 AOC administrative fee. NO refunds after Oct 9 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. 
 
• Event is rain or shine, however the trip co-leaders may cancel if unusually extreme weather conditions, etc. are forecast, in which case full refunds would normally be issued.  No refunds or further-discounted rates for partial attendance.