Dahlonega TrailFest! A weekend of Camping, Hiking & Paddling!!

PLEASE NOTE:  This Page is to announce the events we have planned for Trailfest 2019 and as an event where we can all gather and enjoy the Trailfest Organizers' events and vendors as a collective group. 

A Sep 8th Hike has also been posted for members who prefer arriving and departing on Saturday or Sunday. Camping is available http://dahlonegatrailfest.org/ca mping.html

WHAT IS TRAILFEST? (Thank you Charlie...)  Just 50 miles north of Atlanta, the historic "gold rush" town of Dahlonega is near the southern end of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and is widely known as Georgia's gateway to the legendary 2200-mile-long footpath.  Each year this friendly mountain community celebrates hiking, camping and backpacking by hosting on its town square a wonderful free event called "TrailFest," with fascinating outdoor-related presentations, live music, arts & crafts displays, delicious  food & refreshments  and much more!   Produced by hardworking local volunteers, the festival especially honors the hundreds of AT thru- hikers each year who begin or end their backpacking quest nearby at Springer Mtn or Amicalola Falls.
  Click here to reach the home page for the amazing 2019 festival:  htt p://DahlonegaTrailfest.org/   For festival options and details click keywords in the rectangle on the left side of the home page - e.g.,  Camping, Activities, etc.   Click "Program,"  etc. for this year's weekend-long schedule of presentations, films, live music performances, etc. (which will continue to have new things added prior to Sep 9th): 

AOC WEEKEND PLAN:   We plan to start Trail Fest with a Saturday with a paddle on the Chestatee and then explore Trail Fest events, presentations, and vendors (this post). On Sunday  return to the Chestatee am for those who can't make Sat or just want more water and then we will hike a section of the AT Sunday afternoon. (Please see posted individual events). 
 

TRAIL FEST DETAILS: 

On Saturday at 3 P.M. we will meet as a group at the Dahlonega Visitor's center to gather as agroup for Trail Fest 2019. We will meet and then venture off to explore all that Trail Fest has to offer. Signing up for thi sevent is meant for Trail Fest Exploration only, the paddles and hikes are sepearte events.  

PADDLING DETAILS:   We  will be paddling the Chestatee both Saturday and Sunday mornings. - We will be paddling with our own boats as well as use the Appalchian Outfitters. See separate posts for paddles on September 6 & 7.

CAMPING DETAILS:  If you've chosen to camp feel free to drive up as early on Friday to claim a personal spot for your vehicle and camping gear.  TrailFest's official "Camping" webpage is: http://dahlonegatrailfest.org/ca mping.html

By the way, The Appalachian Outfitters Will Not be having their big ANNUAL FALL SALE of used kayaks, canoes and paddling gear this year.

It has been postponed til 2020

SUNDAY GROUP HIKING OPTIONS:  Sunday afternoon we've posted a scenic AT Hike, from the GA-60 trailhead at Woody Gap to the spectacular "Preacher's Rock" lookout and back - we estimatye this will be about a 3-hour trip from the Dahlonega visitor center. The hike is roughly 2 miles of relatively easy hiking.  If you'd like to join us for this, meet us (Stacey & Jerry)  at the Dahlonega Visitor's Center 3:00 PM for a carpool caravan (driving about 10 miles north of Dahlonega via GA-60)  to the parking lot/trailhead. 

Should you choose to hike farther you may do so with an optional extension beyond Preacher's Rock about 6 more miles to lovely Dockery Lake (at a leisurely pace, via the AT and the Dockery Lake Trail). If you're interested in the extended hike in lieu of returning from Preacher's Rock to Woody Gap with our main hiking group, we'll help faciliatate at that time.).

Please see Seperate AT Hike Event on Sept 8 

The Dahlonega Visitor's Center is located at 13 S Park St, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Due to Trail Fest parking may be challenging. Please leave early to find parking.