Red Top Mountain Sunrise Hike

Come join us on a D2 sunrise hike out at Red Top Mountain. Beat the heat and get an awesome hike in before breakfast. The hike will begin when it is still dark. We'll take a moderately slow pace from The Lodge on the Sweet Gum Trail and connect to the eastern side of the Homestead Trail which runs along the water. Ideally we will be on the northernmost tip of the Homestead Trail for the sunrise. We need to start early (and on time) to make it out there at a moderate pace. We won't go too fast because our flashlights or headlamps will be guiding us for the first part of the hike until the sun comes up. Sunrise is 6:44 am so let's give ourselves an hour to get out to that far part of the trail. Hike leaves The Lodge at 5:35 am.

After the sun rises, we'll keep going around the Homestead Loop in a clockwise rotation until we meet back up with the Sweet Gum Trail and take it back to The Lodge. Once we are almost to The Lodge, there is the White Tail Trail (within visual distance of the cars) and folks can choose whether to take that trail out (.5 miles each way) to a very scenic point for some more time with nature or to head back to the cars. We'll make a group decision when we come to that trail head; some can stay, some can go.

Total hike should be about 3.5 miles (not including the White Tail Trail). Pace will be a slow moderate when it's dark and we'll speed up to moderate when it's light. There are a few hills to climb but we'll keep pace so a fit D2'er can do it.

For the night hike (dark portion) 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 takes 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 hikes off hours. Hikes after park hours 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. These rules are applicable only when it is dark.

* 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 between 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.

Be sure to bring a headlamp and/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 available restrooms but the woods will be dark. We would like to stop somewhere afterwards for breakfast.

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. **