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Hike Info Page

DO NOT CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE
TO SIGN UP FOR HIKES NOR FOR INFORMATION

CONTACT THE HIKE PLANNER DIRECTLY

Trip:

Deep Creek Trail

Date:

Saturday June 17, 2006
TRIP GOES RAIN OR SHINE

Trip Host:

Marsha Conner

Location:

Deep Creek Section - 4.5 mile section
Smoky Mountains National Park
Bryson City, NC

Cost:

Carry cash for parking, fuel sharing, and Longstreet Cafe
Western Sizzlin will accept credit cards in Bryson City

Difficulty:

Easy to Strenuous

Length:

4.5 Miles

Departs From:

Grace Center Parking Lot
422 Brenau Ave.
Gainesville, Georgia 30501

Departure Time:

7:50 Briefing 8:00 AM Depart

Meals:

Breakfast at Longstreet Cafe 7:15 - 7:45

Lunch: On Trail, Pack A Lunch

Dinner at Western Sizzlin, Bryson City, NC 5:00 - 6:30PM

Transportation:

POV's with carpooling
(Always be prepared to drive your own vehicle if necessary. If you carpool, fuel costs should be shared.)

GPS Info:

N/A

USGS Quad:

N/A

Ranger District:

N/A

Trial Description:

The Deep Creek section of the Smoky Mountains joins the city limits
of Bryson City, NC. A national park campground is located along the
creek and this is a very popular location for tubing. Parking spaces are
limited and fees are required (cash only).

First mile in is very easy and along Deep Creek. Second mile becomes
more moderate with some strenuous as we climb to Sunkota Ridge.
Third mile is moderate downhill leveling off as we descend the ridge.
Fourth mile connects back to Deep Creek and is very easy back to
the beginning. This is a loop trail.

HIKE AT YOUR OWN PACE - BUT HIKE WITH A PARTNER OR IN SIGHT OR SOUND OF YOUR GROUP FOR SAFETY.

Notes:

If you finish the hike early and want to skip dinner and return to Gainesville,
let the hike planner know AND leave written notices on vehicles that you
have left the area safely. We cannot leave the area until everyone is
accounted for and safe. Please communicate your plans appropriately.

Timeline:

AM
7:15 - 7:45	Biscuit & Coffee at Longstreet Cafe (Optional)
7:50	Meet at Grace Center Parking Lot For Briefing
8:00	DEPARTURE TIME
11:00	Approximate Arrival Time at Deep Creek
11:30	Start Hike (4.5 miles)
	Rest breaks as needed and one food break around midway
PM
4:30	Approximated Finish Time of Hike
5:00 - 6:30	Dinner at the Western Sizzlin - Bryson City (Nothing fancy, but we will be hungry after the hike and ready to have a hot meal and rest)
9:00	Approximate Time of Return to Grace Parking Lot

Remember - Time lines for outdoor activities provide a guide for projected coordination of events, places, & people. All projections are subject to change due to the many conditions such activities may present. Be flexible!

Links & Ref.

http://www.protrails.com/viewgallery.php?id=44

Photos

http://www.protrails.com/viewgallery.php?id=44

Map

http://www.greatsmokies.com/DeepCreekTrails.pdf

Directions:

Contact Marsha

Reservations:

Yes, Make Reservation with Marsha /
770-297-7686 or Click Here To Email
Deadline to Sign Up: June 14, 2006

If you are from www.georgiahikes.com contact Jeremy Landers by email or telephone at 770-861-8175

Post Trip Review:

GEC hike - June 17, 2006 - Deep Creek Area/Bryson City, NC
4.5 miles - mixed - mostly easy, some moderate, little strenuous

We had 4 hikers for this event and were able to all travel
in one vehicle. The time line was very close to the projected
schedule and we were officially on the trail at 11:10 AM.
The weather was comfortable for a June day with no rain
in the forecast. The Deep Creek campground/picnic area
was filling up with visitors as we left to hike and upon our
return the creek was full of tubers. This is one of the most
popular tubing creeks in the mountains. The selected trail
was a good mixture of flat terrain with just one hill to climb.
The scenery was spectacular and the water just right for
wading on the way back. We were amazed to see a jogger
running the hills at full speed while we worked to just walk the trail,
but the distance was very comfortable considering the terrain.
After refueling our bodies with food and beverage at the steak
house, we had a pleasant trip home watching the sunset
across the mountain skies. This area would certainly be worth
repeating sometime.

Additional Info For All Hikes
Information provided by Marsha Conner

ICE INFO
(In Case Of Emergency)

We are now carrying ICE cards with us for safety. The hike planner will
be responsible for being sure these cards are on the trail. An index card
with critical contact and medical data on each hiker will be available in
case of emergencies. You are not required to participate in the
ICE program, but should an emergency arise, this data would go with
you for medical treatment and provide contact information for your relatives
and medical information at the ER that should be known. Many of us have
ICE phone numbers in our cell phones, but our cell phones may not work
in some wilderness areas.

WHAT TO CARRY

1. Daypack
2. Water/Fluid Supplies
3. Food/Snack Supplies
4. Cash and ID (ID should be on your person at all times)
5. Other Outdoor Supplies

1. Packs:
a. Plan and pack for medical emergencies including
     blisters, bug bites, allergies, cuts, etc.
b. At least one snake bite kit (Sawyer style) should be
     with the group (sold in most sporting goods depts).
c. Weather change needs such as poncho, emergency
     blanket, cap, gloves, wind jacket, etc.
d. Cell phone (in case it might work) and other
     items important to you for personal safety or comfort

2. Water/Fluid Supplies
a. Plan on carrying a cooler with ice to keep food and
     fluids cold throughout the trip
b. Carry enough fluid with you for the designated trail hike
c. Do Not Drink Water From Streams - most mountain
    water is no longer safe to drink as they may contain
    protozoan imps and make you very sick

3. Food/Snack Supplies
a. Short hikes may only require a light snack
     on the trail (1-2 miles) - plan accordingly
b. Longer hikes usually require a moderate
     snack on the trail (3-4 miles) - plan accordingly
c. Remember that your appetite is enhanced by
    being outdoors and doing physical activity

4. Cash and ID
a. Carry bills in different increments especially "ones"
     for park entrance fees and incidentals - each
     person is responsible for their own fees and should
     share any group cost for parking and fuel
b. For your safety, have your ID with you on the trails
c. Do not leave valuables in your parked car which you
    cannot afford to have stolen!

5. Other Outdoor Supplies
a. Camera and plenty of film
b. Binoculars
c. Sun hat
d. Knife and compass
e. Extra socks if prone to blisters
f. Bug spray
g. Sting relief especially if you are
     allergic to insect stings
h. Hiking pole or sticks
i.   Sweat towel and/or bandana

UPON RETURNING HOME

1. Critical - Shower and check your body - CAREFULLY -
     for ticks (if a tick has attached itself to your skin, do
     not crush its body while removing it, but lift it away
     from your skin and pull out by the legs - treat the area
     properly and watch for any redness - if redness appears
     seek medical attention promptly)

2. Clean and treat any wounded areas of your body -
     use ice for first 24-48 hours on joint/muscle injuries
     and heat as swelling subsides

3. Consider keeping a log of your hiking experiences and
     write your story in a journal while memories are fresh

4. Develop pictures and share copies with your hikers

GENERAL GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER

1. Leave pets at home if hiking with a group

2. Keep groups on the trail to no more than 4-6 together

3. Walk single file in the middle of the trail

4. Step to the side of the trail as you go downhill
     to allow hikers going uphill to have the right of way

5. Do not wade with your boots on unless necessary
     Wet socks and shoes can create immediate blisters

6. Swift water can cause you to lose your footing in
     6-12 inches of water so do not be fooled that you
     can wade without danger across a stream

7. Snakebites are a critical concern to hikers
     THINK before putting your hands and feet anywhere
     that might be a place of hiding for a snake:
     a. Step on the top of logs - not over them
     b. Use your hiking pole to check on the backside
          of logs and rocks before sitting down
     c. Stay on the trail where visibility is better

8. Read the many different theories on protection
     from bears and other wildlife - bears are most
     aggressive when protecting their cubs and stay
     near water and food sources frequently - bears
     do not "growl" but will make a "grunting" noise
     to let you know they see you when you may not
     see them - stop, back away slowly, and move
     back down the trail without hesitation - do not
     mistake a "grunting" noise for random woods noise
     on a trail as it may only be made one time to give
     you one chance to back away.

9. Let members of your hiking group know your intentions
    in case you decide to return to the parking lot or leave
     for the day.

10. Remember that the GEC Open Hike each month will
     have a mixed skill level and cooperation as a team is needed.
     The monthly planner has volunteered to set up the hike
      and there may be slight differences with each hike.
      There is room for both the scenic hiker and the extreme
      hiker with good communication and proper planning.

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