Red Top Mountain Night Hike: Dark

The debut of the "light" and "dark" hikes. We are meeting at Red Top Mountain and doing two hikes today. We will follow the same route but we'll do the first hike in the daylight and the second hike after nightfall. Please join us for one or both hikes - we'll have dinner in between (no obligation to attend dinner). Do the math - if you do both hikes, it is going to be around 13 miles for the day. Please don't sign up for both unless you know you can handle the distance.

This second hike is moderately paced and we'll cover about six miles; it's called "dark" because we'll start at twilight and finish the hike in darkness. We will park at and leave from the Lodge. We'll start on the Sweet Gum Trail, hook up with the Homestead Trail, and end up passing by the Visitor's Center. The first part of this hike will be at a moderately fast pace to get our blood pumping. We'll pause for a few minutes at the Visitor's Center for a fast restroom break and to point out our route on the displayed map; then we'll take off on the Homestead Trail. Twilight should be upon us as we start this part, so we'll slow our pace for safety reasons. We'll stay on the Homestead Trail (periodically sharing real estate with the Sweet Gum again) and then cross the road and follow the Homestead loop in a counter clockwise direction. At the end of the loop, we'll take the Sweet Gum trail back towards the Lodge and do an out and in on the White Tail Trail. The White Tail Trail is .5 miles each way and has some nice rocks to sit on right by the water. It is really pretty and worth the extra few minutes. You have the option of skipping this part if you do want to head home a little bit early. The Lodge (and your car) is less than 100 yards from the start of the trail. We will gather as a group at the beginning of the White Tail Trail, and those wanting to leave early will be safely escorted to their cars. 

Be sure that you have a headlamp and/or a flashlight for this hike, as the trails have lots of roots that are easy to trip on after dark.

This is a solid D3 hike so please make sure you're in proper shape to handle it. There are a few hills to climb and the pace will be moderate.

For the night hike we will go at a slower pace and we'll stop along the way to enjoy nature, darkness and the sounds of the woods. Periodically we will gather up and all shut our lights off and enjoy the darkness and calm. If you have never done a night hike before you are in for a real treat. It puts a whole new perspective on hiking. The trails here are very well maintained and it is very little extra effort to pay attention to your footing. You don't really need any special equipment other than a cheap headlamp or a small flashlight. People also say that wearing a hat with your headlamp helps keep some of the bugs out of your face.

We ask your cooperation on a few things. We have special permission from the Rangers at Red Top Mountain to do these night hikes. They are not usually allowed so that makes it even more of a privilege. Please help your Trip Leaders comply with the following rules so the Rangers continue to let us do these hikes.

* Don't arrive late. We cannot wait for you nor can we allow you to try to catch up to us. You cannot be out on these trails after dark without the AOC group.
* We will have a Leader and a Sweeper. Please take caution to ensure you stay in between one of us (or within a reasonable distance of us). This isn't a hike where you can hike ahead and wait at intersections - it is not allowed and it is dangerous.
* Once the hike begins we have to stay together as a group. No one can turn back to leave early or venture on their own. Of course we will address special circumstances such as illness, injury or emergency if one arises. If you do need to leave early you can skip the last 30 or so minutes of the trip and eliminate the White Tail Trail (see above).


The optional dinner will be from around 6:30 to 7:45 at Swheat in Cartersville. It's an 8 mile drive from the park. Feel free to join us for dinner before the hike (or between hikes if you're staying for both). It's a little local place that has good reviews and serves sandwiches, soups and salads. It's something a little bit different than the standard AOC Mexican fare.

www.swheatmarket.com
Address is 5 East Main St, Cartersville.


Be sure to bring a headlamp or a small flashlight.

You can view a trail map here: http://www.redtopmountainstatepark.org/resources/red-top-mountain-state- park-trail-map.pdf


If you don't have a Georgia State Park Pass, there is a $5.00 per car fee. It is the drop box, punch out the tag system so no attendant is on duty. Please make sure you have exactly $5.00 or you can write a check.

There are no restrooms but the woods will be dark.

Please call one of the trip leaders if you are running late. Remember though, we can't wait on you and you can't catch up.

** We do have permission from the Ranger at RTM to do this group night hike. **

We will leave from the former Lodge (not the Visitor's Center).

Address for the Lodge is:
50 Lodge Rd
Cartersville, GA  30121

Go 75 North to Exit 285
Go Right off the exit
Proceed approximately .5 miles and go over bridge (Bethany Bridge) over the water
Go approximately another .5 miles and left on to Park Marina Rd
Approximately .5 miles and right on to Lodge Rd

The GPS Coordinates for the former Lodge:
34.142950, 084.706700

This may be helpful too:
http://gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?locationid=21&show=map