Benton MacKaye: Fall Branch to Weaver Creek (and back)

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Benton MacKaye: Fall Branch to Weaver Creek (and back)

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Blue Ridge, GA

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 20 2016 9:30 am >> Sat, Feb 20 2016 4:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Sun, Feb 14 2016 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Feb 19 2016 9:00 am

Event Duration:

7 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult (Exploratory)

Distance:

12 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Ann
Ralph Howard

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

This trail offers a very pleasant day hike, first past a double waterfall, then through typical Southern Appalachian hardwood forest with a variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, then over a ridge offering views of distant mountains, valleys and Lake Blue Ridge, with a final pleasant downhill hike to a pastoral valley. Note: This is an in and back trail. So we reverse directions and head back the way we came.

Lunch will be wherever on the trail our time and location seems appropriate.

Trail begins on north side of road and climbs gradually toward summit of Rocky Mountain. At one-fourth mile a short unmarked side trail leads to USFS observation platform at base of Fall Branch Falls. Beyond the falls, the trail switches back through general forest, past an old timber cut and continues to intersection with Stanley Gap Trail at 1 mile. Turn northwest on trail and begin long ascent of Rocky Mountain. After gaining ridgeline there are views to east of Lake Blue Ridge. Descend to saddle, climb spur of Davenport Mountain before turning west to begin descent toward Scroggin Knob. From Scroggin Knob descend to Weaver Creek-Laurel Creek watershed divide.

We will hike with a leader and a sweep, but faster folks will be permitted to go ahead as long as they don't continue past trail breaks without the trip leader. The pace of this event is between 2.0 and 2.5 mph moving speed with minimal breaks. We will discuss dinner options before leaving the carpool location. If you are expecting to maintain a slower than 2.0 pace - this hike is not for you.

The trip leaders reserve the right to review your activities for your fitness level inasmuch as we want everyone to be comfortable on the trail.

Required Items to Bring:

Water, hiking boots, layered clothing, good attitude.

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

Hiking poles. Change of footwear and plastic bag for dirty gear.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

North on 575, when it ends stay on 515/5/US76, turn right on Rock Creek Road (at the town of Cherry Log), Drive 6 miles on Rock Creek Road with is the trailhead which is at the Falls Branch bridge.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

136Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $54.40 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:

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

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

Snow, ice.