^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #16 - Horsetrough Mountain (4040’) ^^ - Sat, Apr 6 2013

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^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #16 - Horsetrough Mountain (4040’) ^^


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, near Blairsville, GA   Hike: ^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #16 - Horsetrough Mountain (4040’) ^^  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 6 2013  10:00 am >> Sat, Apr 6 2013 5:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 21 2013 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 5 2013 6:00 pm
Event Duration:7 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Aaron
Laura V
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:14
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 13 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

The North Georgia mountains may not be the Himalayas or the Rockies, but do offer many opportunties for challenging and exciting hikes to outstanding scenic views.  For this series, we are summiting the 20 highest peaks in Georgia.  (For more info on the criteria used, click here.)

#16 - Horsetrough Mtn

 
Standing 4040' above sea level with 1008' of clean prominence, Horsetrough Mountain is just off the AT about 4 miles south of Jacks Gap.
 
We will start at Jacks Gap on Hwy 180 and hike south on the Jacks Knob Trail.  Along the way, we will make a short loop to find the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and then pick up the AT heading toward Cold Springs Gap. From there we will head off trail in a southwesterly direction to summit Horsetrough. On our descent, we will hike due east down the mountain to the AT. From there, we will hike back to Jacks Gap.  
 
The hike involves leaving the AT and bushwhacking for about a mile up to the summit of Horsetrough.  The terrain is easy with sparse ground vegetation, with the exception of about a quarter of a mile of blackberry briars on a portion of the ascent. We will try to avoid the briars as much as possible but goggles, gators, and gardening gloves are the recommended fashion accessories for this portion of the hike, as well as kevlar pants and snag resistant long sleeves. 

Weather permitting, we will see Brasstown Bald during our ascent, but the view at the top of Horsetrough is less than spectacular, as the summit is surrounded by trees.  We will spend some time at the summit for a break.


Required Items to Bring:
  • Emergency rain gear (even if chance of rain is minimal)
  • Water or Sports drink, at least 2 liters
  • Enough food to keep your energy level up on a 6 or 7 hour hike
  • Hiking boots or shoes
  • Clothing appropriate for the weather
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Gators

Heavy gloves to push through the briars

Camera

Bacon


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Directions to trailhead will be given at carpool (or via email if "meeting at event").

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):160Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for 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:

Because this a D5 event, if you have not recently completed some tough AOC hikes, we may be contacting you to determine your level of fitness and experience to make sure this is the right hike for you.




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


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