Tallulah Gorge, Rabun Bald, Whiteside Mtn, & Highlands Bear Shadow !

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Tallulah Gorge, Rabun Bald, Whiteside Mtn, & Highlands Bear Shadow !

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

NE Georgia and Highlands, NC

Hike: Tallulah Gorge, Rabun Bald, Whiteside Mtn, & Highlands Bear Shadow !

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Nov 6 2011 9:15 am >> Sun, Nov 6 2011 5:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 7:45 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Nov 3 2011 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Nov 5 2011 9:30 pm

Event Duration:

Per itinerary

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Distance:

7 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Richard K
Tony C

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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:

Itinerary:

It looks like a beautiful fall day is forecast for Sunday so lets make the most of it. Trip Leader John Christopher had a great idea to do an event based around the Tallulah Gorge Whitewater water release (see details below)...his event has a long waitlist and he suggested we add a 2nd group so we are doing so, although this one will be a long, full day event and not great for those who need to get back before evening.

The trip leaders will be meeting at event for this one, but we will help coordinate the carpool as best we can. But it's a simple drive up to Tallulah Gorge State Park where we will all meet at the Visitor Center at at 9:15. We will stroll around the park to witness the water release, which should be beautiful against the backdrop of fall color. We are not planning extensive hiking here, just nice views and leaf peeping....hitting the main overlooks but nothing too intense.

After the Gorge, we will drive about 45 min to Beegum Gap to the trailhead of Rabun Bald (4696'), the second highest peak in Ga. The 1.5 mile (+1300') hike up will be worth the walk, for the summit has a viewing platform and 360 degree vista for foliage shots. You can see Wayah Bald, Mt Yonah, and Whiteside Mtn from up there as well.

From Rabun Bald we will drive up to the Highlands, NC area. Highlands is a nice town and the highest elevation city east of the Mississippi River. Time permitting, we will take a short ride to visit Bridal Veil and Dry Falls. Otherwise, we will drive to the trailhead of Whiteside Mountain (4930'). The hike at Whiteside will give us fantastic vista views of the Highlands area canyons. The last time I hiked with loop we were visited by a pair of falcons swooping through the valleys. This trail is a little developed with railings, etc but the views are extraordinary and if we have time, we will take a secret side trial to the "Devils's Courthouse" spot.

Following Whiteside we will drive less than 2 miles to Rhodes Overlook. Twice a year the setting sun sets behind a rock formation that casts the shadow of a bear on the valley below. This weekend will probably be the last opportunity to see the phenomenon for 2011. The shadow forms around 4:10p (remember time changes) and ends around 4:40 to allow us to return to Atlanta. Any dinner plans will not be part of the trip, but decided on by each carload.

Required Items to Bring:
hiking shoes or boots
water
enough food for the day

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr
Tallulah Falls , GA 30573
(706) 754-7981

GPS Coordinates:
N 34.739750 | W 083.395233

Located on U.S. Hwy. 441 within the city limits of Tallulah Falls, Ga.

Driving directions

Indian Trail Lilburn Rd
2. Turn left to merge onto I-85 N
11.9 mi
3. Slight left onto I-985 N/Lanier Pkwy (signs for Gainesville)
23.7 mi
4. Continue onto US-23 N
41.1 mi
5. Turn right onto Jane Hurt Yarn Rd

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Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

238Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

7:45 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $95.20 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:

Details on water release:

WATER FLOW:
On a typical day, the water flow through the gorge is 35-40 CFS (cubic feet per second). During aesthetic releases, the flow is 200 CFS, and during whitewater releases, the flow is 500 CFS on Saturday and 700 CFS on Sunday.
2011 Aesthetic Flows will be held on:
- Wednesday, Oct. 19 & Friday, Oct. 21
- Saturday, Oct. 29 & Sunday, Oct. 30
2011 Whitewater Releases will be held on:
- Saturday, Nov. 5 & Sunday, Nov.6
- Saturday, Nov. 12 & Sunday, Nov. 13
- Saturday, Nov. 19 & Sunday, Nov. 20

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

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