Buck Bald Via Unicoi Mountain Trail

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Buck Bald Via Unicoi Mountain Trail

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Reliance, TN

Date(s) & Time:

Wed, Oct 16 2024 9:20 am >> Wed, Oct 16 2024 3:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Oct 3 2024 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Oct 16 2024 6:01 am

Event Duration:

6 Hours 10 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

12 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

RonnyJ (Call me Ron)

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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:

9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

The Benton MacKaye Trail is a nearly 300 mile long trail starting at Springer Mountain, weaving through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina before ending in the GSMNP just past Big Creek. Often considered more difficult than the adjacent sections of the AT, this trail presents plenty of challenge and adventure. Join me as I dayhike the BMT, one section at a time.

Todays hike will have us starting at the SR 68 parking area. There is room for about 3 cars at this small, easy to miss turn out. We will start out heading uphill NOBO until we reach Old SR 68. At this road junction we will take a side road up to the peak of Buck Bald. What a great name. At the bald we should have some great views. After taking in some great views, we head back to the Unicoi Mountain Trail and go over some bumps until we hit Unicoi Gap. This gap will look familiar if you were on my last BMT hike, it is where we parked. This will be our turn around point. From here, we retrace our steps, including another jaunt up to the bald to return to our cars. If we have not met the D5 requirements at this point, we will continue SOBO for a bit to get our required elevation. Somewhere along the way we will stop for a fun lunch over tall tales and AOC gossip.

We will be moving at around 3 mph over the course of the trek... only D5 experienced hikers should apply.

If the weather is cool enough, we will be joined by Buck the hiking dog. If a little extra doggie attention isn't your thing, this might not be the right event for you.

Required Items to Bring:

Water

Lunch

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

Pancakes

Syrup

Bacon

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Keep your eyes peeled for a brown BMT sign, the parking area is in the gravel road on the left.

Click here for trailhead location

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

170Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $68.00 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:

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

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