Tray Mountain Hike - Without The Rush - Sat, Jun 22 2013

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Tray Mountain Hike - Without The Rush


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Appalachain Trail - Near Helen
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 22 2013  8:45 am >> Sat, Jun 22 2013 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jun 10 2013 8:30 am
Registration Cut Off: Sun, Jun 30 2013 9:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours 15 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tom
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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:6
Number Registered So Far: 13 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

This hike starts at Unicoi Gap just north of Helen, GA. We will go 5.1 miles on the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Tray Mountain. Along with Blood Mountain, it is the most panoramic view on the Georgia AT. Here you will have 360-degree view of the surrounding area. This is an excellent training hike for those wanting to become D5 hikers, preparing for long and extensive hiking, backpacking, or climbing trips.

Note: For this hike, endurance, and not speed,  will be the name of the game.  This hike is also intended to be social and fun - racing to the top and back not permitted :)

Trail Itinerary:
Approximate Altitude Changes
Ascend 1,125 feet to the top of Rocky Mountain at 1.3 miles
Descend 975 feet to Indian Grave Gap at 2.6 miles
Ascend 1,400 feet to the top of Tray Mountain at 5.1 miles
Total Ascent (round trip): 3,500 feet
Miles 0.0 parking area, trail begins at far end
0.3 right switchback left switchback
0.6 step across small stream
1.0 trail levels off somewhat
1.3 top of Rocky Mountain
1.4 break in foliage offers good view on right (the half dome, south, is Yonah Mt.)
1.5 beginning of frequent views right, begin descent down right side of ridge
1.7 right, then left, switchback
2.6 Indian Grave Gap
3.3 cross dirt road
3.4 trail levels off somewhat
3.6 cross gap
4.1 rock outcropping on right provides good winter view grassy road on left
4.3 Tray Gap, bear right across roads
4.4 first of several switchbacks
4.9 rocky outcropping on left with good view, right switchback
5.1 top of Tray Mountain

This is an in and out hike. Total distance is 10.2 miles to and from the top of Tray Mountain.   We will spend 10-15 minutes at the top of Tray for a quick snack and view of the surrounding area.  Lastly, there will not be a sweeper for this hike so everyone is expected to keep up with the group.

Previous experience hiking in Georgia Mountains or related is highly recommended. For those that have hiked a trail similar to Blood Mountain with one summit over 1000 feet, this one has three. So you should have been able to complete a less strenuous hike fairly comfortably.

This hike is intended to those in excellent shape and ideal for those preparing to become D5 hikers, long extensive hiking, backpacking trips, or strenuous adventures. For beginners, unless you ran the Peachtree Road Race under an hour, half marathon, etc., or something similar, this is not the hike for you.


Required Items to Bring:

2-3 or more of water
Trail food/lunch
Hiking boots or shoes

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

Camera
Hiking Poles - for balance
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back
Emergency rain gear (even if it is clear day with a 20 percent chance of rain)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at Chevron station. continue on GA 115. Go 4.8 miles where GA 115 meets GA 52. Turn right. Continue on GA 115 until Cleveland GA. At traffic circle in Cleveland go north on US 129.

Continue past GA 75 to Alt GA 75. Take a right on Alt GA 75. Continue until Alt 75 ends at GA 75. Take left away from Helen. Continue on GA 75 until signs you see signs for AT parking lot on right side of highway.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):140Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:15 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $56.00 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:

This trip is for hikers with recent experience of hiking at least 8 or more miles in the mountains. However, we will be going at a D4 pace. Please bring plenty of conversation and a sense of humor :)


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


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

Late cancellations, particularly within 36 hours of the event make it difficult for those on the wait list to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.