Semi Slackpacking: AT- Hickory Flats, Springer Mountain, Cooper Gap

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Semi Slackpacking: AT- Hickory Flats, Springer Mountain, Cooper Gap

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Hickory Flatts

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 26 2022 9:00 am >> Sun, Mar 27 2022 4:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Fri, Mar 4 2022 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Mar 24 2022 11:59 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 7 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

24 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Joseph Wang

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Join me as I continue hiking the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail!!

Slack-Packing is an assisted way of hiking where you have a host who carries the burden of your equipment and set up your overnight camps for you. Well, we won’t have someone carrying the burden of our packs, but we will be able to do drive-up camping and 2-day hikes.

Day 1

We will meet at 9:00am at Hickory Flats Cemetery (see directions below). This is one of the most unique cemeteries known in Georgia. It sits atop a mountain in Fannin county right smack in the middle of the Appalachian Trail. Camping for Appalachian Trail hikers is welcomed. We will set up camp in the morning when we get there or in the afternoon when we are finished with our day hike (hiker’s choice).

Once we finish setting up, we will start our day hike to Springer Mountain. The hike will begin going SOBO on the Appalachian Trail. There will be a gradual descend for 3 miles of approximately 855 ft until we reach Three Forks. We will begin to gradually ascend for 3 miles of approximately 864 ft to Springer Mountain, the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail. We will then turn around and go NOBO back to Hickory Flat for a total of 12 miles of hiking.

Day 2

After eating breakfast and packing up camp, we will then head NOBO to Cooper Gap, approximately 6 miles. There will be many ups and downs as we approach Cooper Gap climbing descending a total of 673 ft. After reaching Cooper Gap, we will turn around and head SOBO to Hickory Flats (12 miles total) and back to Atlanta.

Required Items to Bring:

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Backpack or Daypack

Sleep System (Tent, Tarp, or Hammock)

Sleeping Bag

Sleep Pad

Food and Snacks (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and snacks)

Water and Filtration / Purification device, Drops, or Tablets

Headlamp/Flashlight and spare batteries

Clothing enough- for 2 days of travel and a set for the drive home

Rain Gear

Cookware (stove, utensils, cup, bown/plate, fuel)

Matches/Lighter

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

Hiking Poles

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Hickory Flats Cemetery, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Coordinates: 34°40'02.5"N 84°09'44.2"W

Take I-75N to I-575N (31 miles)

I-575N will turn into SR-5 (25 miles)

Turn left onto First Avenue (600 ft)

Turn right onto SR-52 (5.3 miles)

Turn left onto Big Creek Rd (15 miles)

Turn right onto Forest Service Road 58 (6.2 miles)

Take a sharp left turn (2 miles)

Arrived at Hickory Flats

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

110Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $44.00 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 Backpacking event, if you have not recently completed some tough AOC hikes, I may be contacting you to determine your level of fitness and experience to make sure this is the right hike for you.

This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not satisfactory for an enjoyable outing.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

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

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