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Dauset Trails Free Day Trip: Includes Hiking, Picnicking, Bluegrass Music Festival, Zoo visit & More!




The Basics:
Event Type:Learn
Event Location: ~50 miles south of Atlanta, near I-75 Exit #198.   Learn: Dauset Trails Free Day Trip: Includes Hiking, Picnicking, Bluegrass Music Festival, Zoo visit & More!  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 22 2023  9:30 am >> Sat, Apr 22 2023 4:30 pm
Registration Opens: Wed, Apr 19 2023 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 21 2023 9:00 pm
Event Duration:Stay as late as 5PM if you like, or split at any time if you prefer!
Difficulty Rating:D1: Easy
Distance:3 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:5
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Final Trip Weather Update from Charlie at 6:00 AM Saturday: Actually now looks great! The latest "spot forecast" for the Dauset Trails vicinity expects ideal 60s & low 70s all day - partly cloudy in the morning but quickly becoming sunny with bright blue skies all afternoon.  It'll be a bit breezy but that will feel good with with all the sunshine.
  We're calling this an AOC "Learn" event because there are always so many interesting new things to learn and experience there - esp. about nature and Georgia's wonderful native flora & fauna.

Event Plan in a Nutshell:  Please pay close attention to my Directions & GPS info below and try to arrive on time at 9:30 AM.  As covered in the Directions, at 9:30 AM we'll gather initially near our parked vehicles in the gravel parking lot that's just inside Dauset Trails' special  "Bike/Hike & Group Camping Entrance" - NOT the main entrance!  After a brief round of introductions  we'll caravan in our vehicles to a different nearby parking area that's more convenient to our hiking & festival attendance plans, etc.  We encourage everyone to stick with the group for the first couple of hours - esp. you newcomers to the park. Then if you prefer, you and your friends, etc. are more than welcome to "split" and do what most interests or relaxes you for the rest of the day!  All of Dauset Trails' entrance & exit gates are closed each day at 5:00 PM.
  We'll begin with a short "orientation hike" to check out the Visitor Center & Museum and enjoy some Wildlife encounters at the adjoining amazing free Zoo (a.k.a. "Wild Animal Trail"). To top it off I'm sure Dauset Trails' biggest-ever Bluebirds & Bluegrass Festival (~11AM - 5 PM) will be a blast, with top-notch bluegrass bands picking & singing on the pavilion stage - plus also...
  - Delicious treats & refreshments from food truck vendors,
  - Exhibits & sales of local artwork, artisan crafts & native plants,
  - Blacksmithing & woodworking demonstrations.
 
Dauset Trails Optional Extra Info & Handy Links:  Check out their excellent website:  https://www.dausettrails.com/
  and Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dauset-Trails-Nature-Center/100064581018358/?locale=fo_FO 
 Founded in 1977 and just 50 miles south of Atlanta, the ~2000-acre preserve focuses on environmental education and outdoor activities for nature lovers of all ages. Most of its beautiful forested property (and also initial funding for its long-term management) were privately endowed by two highly esteemed local citizens, Hamp Daughtry and David Settles.  Hence the coined name, "Dau-Set."  Friendly hard-working staffers oversee the Visitor Center & Museum, Antique Barnyard, Botanical Gardens & Zoo - plus the other amazing free attractions discussed above.  The Nature Center Phone Number is  770-775-6798.
  For a set of handy color Maps, including the preserve's ~30-mile network of  hiking & biking trails click here: https://www.dausettrails.com/trails- 2/  Our usual AOC lakeside group camping area surrounds "Pavilion 2" and the "Chapel" by Junction "18" in the center of the "Bike & Hike" map.
  An added bonus is that Dauset Trails directly adjoins  historic Indian Springs State Park and in fact both are just a 10-minute drive from lovely High Falls State Park.  These sister parks likewise boast fabulous hiking trails, forests and lakes - also waterfalls, botanical gardens, and nearby country stores, ice cream shops, etc.  Click here for the Indian Springs State Park map: https://gastateparks.or g/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/trailmaps/IndianSprings_Map2 019.pdf
FOR hundreds of colorful DAUSET TRAILS PHOTOS:  Google-search on "Dauset Trails Photos" and click "View more images" below the first block of photos that appears.

Required Items to Bring:

•  Wear or bring comfortable lightweight Clothing, Athletic Shoes, Cap, etc. appropriate for the latest weather forecast

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

 • In a small Daypack or Fanny Pack carry Water &  Snacks (+ a compact Umbrella or Poncho in case we get a shower or two).
•  Bring some Cash and perhaps a Credit Card  or two, since we'll likely want to enjoy some of the Food & Refreshments and other items offered for sale by the Bluegrass Festival's Food Truck vendors, Arts & Crafts booths, etc. 


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

DIRECTIONS to our GATHERING SPOT in the PARKING LOT at Dauset Trails' GROUP CAMPING ENTRANCE on MT. VERNON RD.
GPS users can enter "33.2321,-83.9489" as your "Lat/Lon" destination address (in lieu of a street address) being sure to include the comma & minus sign - and also please note step 4 below.
For a zoomable map & satellite view of this gathering spot click the rectangular blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.  It's about half-way between Atlanta and Macon - just 8 miles east of I-75, and for most metro Atlantans just a ~90-minute drive unless traffic is heavy.)

1.  From metro Atlanta's southside I-75/ I-285 Interchange (a few miles east of the Atlanta Airport) take I-75 South about 35 miles and get off at Exit #198, "High Falls Rd." (If you live on Atlanta’s east side consider taking this shortcut:  From I-285 Exit #52 take I-675 southward onto I-75 South, then it's just 29 miles further south to Exit #198.)
2.  Turn Left onto High Falls Road (over the I-75 bridge) and go 4.6 miles to Mt. Vernon Road (a.k.a. "Mt. Vernon Church Rd," passing through High Falls State Park en route).
3.  Turn Right onto Mt Vernon, go 3.0 miles and look for a gravel road on your left with a sign that says, "Dauset Trails Nature Center...Group Camping Entrance." 
4.  Turn Left off Mt. Vernon into this Camping Entrance - a.k.a. the "Bike & Hike Trails Entrance."   Bear right immediately and park in the shady gravel lot (just a few yards north of Mt. Vernon Rd).  We'll gather for this day trip by the lot's “check-in" Bulletin Board" which normally displays a nice color map of the entire ~2-mile-wide park and its trails network, etc.
(If you happen to overshoot this lot you'll reach the main Dauset Trails paved entrance gate just 0.1 mile ahead, eastward - also on Mt. Vernon - and if so make a U-turn to this correct AOC parking & gathering spot for this trip.)


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

Cost Includes:

FREE event, including Parking, admission to Zoo, Botanical Gardens,  Museum, Antique Farmyard & Bluegrass Festiva l- plus use of Trails Network, clean Restrooms & much more!
  We strongly urge each AOC member to help ensure a bright future for this amazing place by depositing a generous cash gift or check in the Donations Box at the Visitor Center entrance.


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