Wednesday at Bear Hair Gap and Byron Reece Nature Trail - Wed, Aug 6 2014

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Wednesday at Bear Hair Gap and Byron Reece Nature Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Vogel State Park, Blairsville, GA
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Aug 6 2014  8:30 am >> Wed, Aug 6 2014 4:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Jul 24 2014 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Aug 5 2014 8:00 pm
Event Duration:8 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:6 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
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Member Cost:$3.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:0
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Have you yearned to do a real mountain hike but aren't up to the extreme distances or severe elevation challenges that most mountain events present?  If you are a consistent D3 hiker, this is a perfect hike for you!

We'll carpool from Mansell Park and Ride to Vogel State Park, a beautiful state park in North Georgia.  (A $5 State Parking Pass is required for each vehicle.)  A visitor's center here affords an opportunity to buy some souvenier items, snacks, and an annual pass if you wish to purchase one.

We'll hike down the road to the BEAR HAIR GAP trailhead, which happens to share the same trailhead as the Coosa Backcountry Trail, though the trails split after a short distance.  We'll take the BYRON HERBERT REECE NATURE TRAIL - - a .8 mile loop that offers a beautiful, scenic trail with some signs highlighting the points of interest along the way. This little trail is touted to have more types of trees than grow in Yellowstone National Park. 

The Bear Hair Gap trail ascends over 1,000 feet from the trailhead to the Vogel Lookout, our highest point on the hike.  From there, hiking will be easier as we make our way back down to the visitor's center.  We'll take a lunch break when we get back to the parking lot and then walk the TRAHLYTA LAKE TRAIL, a 1 mile loop highlighting a gorgeous waterfall. 

We will leave Vogel State Park and stop a short way down the road at the Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center.  A Blairsville Chamber of Commerce writeup describes this historical attraction as: the birthplace and land of inspiration of renowned Appalachian poet and novelist, Byron Herbert Reece.   Born in 1917, Reece produced an enduring body of poetry and fiction from the sounds and spirits of his north Georgia homeland.  The farm and heritage center allows you to step back in time to a simpler way of life...tour the farm with the help of a self-guided brochure, walk around the farm in Hub Reece's footsteps, wander through the museum and browse the gift shop.  Note:  There is a $3 per person admission fee to the farm.


We'll spend about an hour at the farm before driving back to Atlanta.


Required Items to Bring:

Lunch - - to eat at the park after finishing the Bear Hair Gap Trail hike.
Water
Good hiking shoes (waterproof, if possible.)
 
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles are highly recommended!

insect repellant, sunscreen, cap/hat


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

GPS Coordinates:
N 34.765883 | W -083.925416

Located 11 miles south of Blairsville via U.S. Hwy. 19/129

Address:

405 Vogel State Park Road
Blairsville, GA 30512 
Union County 


Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):155Mile(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 $62.00 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:

Vogel State Park is located at 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsvillle, GA.


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

Member Cost:$3.00/Person
Cost Includes:

The cost of admission to the Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center is $3 per person, payable at the farm visitor center.  

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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