Return to Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Ga ! - Tue, Dec 18 2012

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Return to Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Ga !


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Athens, GA   Hike: Return to Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Ga !  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Dec 18 2012  11:00 am >> Tue, Dec 18 2012 5:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 10:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sat, Dec 15 2012 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Dec 17 2012 10:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:11 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
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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:2
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Sandy Creek is a bit far from Atlanta, but it's worth the drive!  The trails are for hikers only, so it's a peaceful place to hike.  The setting is gorgeous.  It's time to do it again!

There are several trails that circle the Nature Center (where we start), so we might explore a couple of them before we finish our hike.  We'll start with Cook's Trail, an out-and-back trail of 4.1 miles each way which ends at Sandy Creek Park. We'll pause there for lunch/snacks before retracing our route back to the Nature Center.  (There are bathrooms at both ends of the trail.) Once back to the parking lot, we'll hike another mile to see the audobon blind, the remains of the brick works, and the the 1810 log cabin.  Then we'll make our way back to the parking lot via the Pine Ridge Trail or one of the other trails in the area.  There are several shorter trails we can hike depending on how we feel and how much time we have.  The entire area is really worth seeing.

After the hike, if you haven't eaten too much for lunch,  we can enjoy an early dinner at a local Chinese buffet - - the China Star.  Those who ate there after our last hike really enjoyed the food, and the price was reasonable.  We'll have to decide who stays for dinner and who returns to the Park n' Ride when we form the carpools.  Keep the buffet in mind when you consider bringing your dog. (Oh, that didn't come out right!  I was thinking of the dogs having to remain in the cars while you ate dinner!)

This is a D4 hike mainly for the distance.  Much of the area is relatively flat but there are some upgrades and descents that will provide a nice little workout - - certainly nothing terribly steep.  Plus, the trails are easy on the feet - - not much in the way of rocks or roots.  This is NOT a hike for beginners, however!  It would be a nice introduction to a longer hike for those who have not yet done this distance, but are in shape for hikes of 7 - 8 miles.

The hike will finish around 3 PM.  Allow time for dinner (an hour and a half at most) and the 1 hour drive back to Indian Trail when you plan your day.  We should be back at the carpool no later than 5:30 PM.  (Those leaving Athens after the hike should get back by 4 PM.)

If carpooling, plan to arrive at Indian Trail Park and Ride no later than 9:50 AM!  We will leave PROMPLTY by 10 AM so as to get to the Sandy Creek Nature Center by 11:00 AM.  If you're running late, you'll have to make the drive to Athens alone - - so be sure to copy the directions and have them with you.


Required Items to Bring:

Plenty of water

Lunch and/or snacks - - the amount depends on your dinner plans.

Cash for your carpool driver and money for dinner if you choose to eat at the Chinese buffet.

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

No parking fees!  Poles are totally up to you, but unnecessary on most of the trails.

Bring your camera if you like photos.  Lots of opportunities.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

GPS COORDINATES:  

33.987857, -83.382091

Directions from I-85 at 285:

Go North on I-85 from 285 for 9.4 miles

Take Exit 106 - - Merge onto GA 316 East toward Lawrenceville/Athens.  Go 39.7 miles

Take the US-78 E/GA-10 Loop S ramp to US-29 S/Lexington/Hartwell/University of Georgia.  Go .03 miles

Merge onto GA-10 Loop E/US-29 N/US-78 E

Continue to follow GA-10 Loop E/US-29 N for 9.1 miles

Merge onto GA-10 Loop N/US-129 N/NW U.S. 441 N via the ramp to Commerce/Jefferson  for 1.5 miles
 
Take exit 12 to merge onto NW U.S. 441 N/Commerce Rd toward Commerce for .9 miles
 
Turn left onto Nature Center Rd for .2 miles to arrive at 
 
205 Old Commerce Rd
Athens, GA 30607
 
 
CHINA STAR SUPER-BUFFET
3567 Atlanta Highway  Athens, GA 30606
(706) 316-3382

 
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):110Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 10:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $44.00 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:

CHINA STAR SUPER BUFFET

3567 Atlanta Highway  Athens, GA 30606
(706) 316-3382

Please keep Joyce's  phone number with you in case you need to call:  404-788-4089


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


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