Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Release and Fall Foliage

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Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Release and Fall Foliage

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Tallulah Falls, Georgia

Hike: Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Release and Fall Foliage

Date(s) & Time:

Wed, Oct 26 2011 9:30 am >> Wed, Oct 26 2011 4:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 9:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Oct 24 2011 9:42 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Oct 26 2011 7:30 am

Event Duration:

7 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Mark

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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:

8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Come join us on a trip to Tallulah Gorge to view an Aesthetic Water Release, walk the rim trails, and take in the beautiful fall foliage colors. We will view water flows of 5 times the normal level through the gorge and over various falls. We will hike the North Rim trail, South Rim trail, down to the suspension bridge, down to Hurricane Falls platform near the base of the gorge, and then make our way back out of the gorge. The weather forecast for Tallulah Falls on Wednesday is for Sunny skies with a high of 75 degrees!

These aesthetic water releases only happen on a limited number of dates each year. Tallulah Gorge is one of Georgia's most dramatic and scenic natural features, but since 1912 a hydroelectric dam has tamed the historic power and beauty that made the area falls famous. Now the water flows through the gorge at a highly reduced level of only 35-50 cfs (Cubic Feet per Second). Lucky for visitors, recent revisions to the dam operation policy in the 1990s have helped to restore the gorge and its falls to their full thundering glory. Visiting the gorge during one of these release events you will quickly understand why the falls were given names like Tempesta and Hurricane. The aesthetic release restores the gorge's historic brilliance by increasing the water flow to 200 cfs, over 5 times it's current normal flow. By bringing the water flow back to more historic and natural levels visitors get a rare chance to experience the park's sites and sounds as visitors once did. Due to the increased water levels, there are no gorge floor access permits issued during aesthetic releases.

Note: Although the hike is only a modest distance (3-5 miles), we will be climbing over 900 stairs out of the gorge and this section can be strenuous for some.

Required Items to Bring:

Hiking shoes
Lunch
Water (1.5)

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

How to Get There:

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

156Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

9:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $62.40 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:

There is a $5 State Park parking fee per vehicle which should be split by all members in the carpool.

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

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