Note: Any Georgian who holds a valid library card can borrow a Georgia State Park "ParkPass" from their local libraries. The passes are good for free parking or admission at any of the 63 parks and historic sites statewide for up to five days
Schedule:
This schedule is a work in progress. Please check back later as we firm up the details.
Thursday
June 10
Early Birds check into their lodgings.
1pm Campsites
4pm Cabins
Friday
June 11
Check In To Lodgings
1pm Campsites
4pm Cabins
8:30 pm Moonlight lake hike 1.2 mile (Weather permitting)
Saturday
June 12
10:30-11:00 AM
Meet up at Jeremy's campsite; immediately after our logistics are worked out, we will load up in vehicles and move to the trailhead(s).
11:30am -
Start hiking - details of the trails and such will be discussed during the briefing
3:30 - 4:00pm -
Everyone should be off trail and back to vehicles
(If you are able to do so, please consider staying for an early evening meal grilling your selection)
4:30pm - back to the campsite to get early dinner started
5:00 - 5:30pm - grill and eat
6:30 - 7:00pm - clean up and head home
9:15 or so - back in Gainesville if not staying at Ft. Mountain.
Sunday
July 12
Check out of lodgings & campsites
11am Cabins
1pm Campsites
Monday
Junly 13
Late departures check out. 1pm Campsites
Reservations:
If you are interested in this trip YOU need to make lodging or camping reservations as soon as possible. The church will NOT be handling any reservations. Once you have made your reservations please contact Jeremy Landers or Marsha Conner so we can add you to our list.
Fort Mountain derives its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall which stands on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious wall is thought to have been built by Indians as fortification against other more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area, this park offers a variety of accomodations.
Camping Campers have the choice of 15ft or 50ft Tent /RV campsites in two campgrounds. Sites have water, electricity, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Comfort station in campground along with access to a washer and dryer. There are alos walk in tent only sites, and "Squirrel's Nest" platforms which is a platform with a tin roof.
ADA campsite is also avaialble.
Cabins
If camping is not for you Fort Mountain offers 15 two or three bedroom cabins. Cottage 1 is ADA accessible. Cabins sleep 8 or 10 in double beds. 1 or two full baths. Bed and bath linens provided. Fireplace (wood not provided). Heat/AC. Cable TV. Grill and picnic tables outside. Fully equipped kitchens have stove/oven, coffee maker, pots/pans, dishes, utensils, cups/glasses, refrigerator, & dishwasher. Note: Cabins in GA State Parks duruing the month's of June & July require a 5 night minimum. However they become reservable for the regular two night minimum 29/30 days out. Cabins should be available for reservation around May 12th, 2010.
Other
There are also other options near by if you prefer.
Locations have not been visited by the co chairs. Note: Please read reviews and make an informed decision.
There are also hotels in Chattsworth. The Overlook Inn Bed & Breakfast www.theoverlookinn.com
Wilderness View Cabins
12 individual luxury cabin rentals with outdoor hot tubs and fireplaces, each on their own 5-17 acre parcel of land. www.wildernessviewcabins.com
$2 permits are required for bike trails 301, 302 and 303 and may be purchased at the park office. These trails begin and end at the parking lot located 1 mile north of the office on Old Fort Road. Trails may be closed for maintenance or soil/weather conditions. Call 706 695-2621 to check availability.
Ride on your own. More than 25 miles of horse trails offer loop rides varying from 3 to 16 miles. Riders must bring their own horses and register at the stables. First-time riders must attach a photocopy proof of a negative Coggins test. Parking is at the stables access (west side of the park). Check the website or call ahead for trail closings during bad weather
Trail:
Saturday Hike TBA
Meet at Jeremy's campsite 10:30 - 11:00 am Saturday June 12
Difficulty:
Length:
Blaze:
Departs From:
No official carpool.
If carpooling please make arrangements with the people you are riding with.
Departure Time:
No official carpool.
If carpooling please make arrangements with the people you are riding with.
Meals:
Please bring your own food or make arrangements with other people in your cabin or campsite to share meals. There are not many eating establishments in the area.
Jeremy will usually have a campfire in the evenings and you are welcome to bring your meat for the grill. (Park rules limit 6 people to a site at a time)
Transportation:
POV's with carpooling, or drive on own. If you need transportation you can post an email to the hike group email list.
No official carpool for this trip.
(Always be prepared to drive your own vehicle if necessary. If you carpool, fuel costs should be shared.)
GPS Info:
USGS Quad:
Ranger District:
Area
Trail Descriptions:
Notes:
More information to come at a later date on hiking times, trails etc.
First let us remind you that this trip is not just for hikers. There are lots of things to do at Fort Mountain & in the area for those of you who don't hike. Whether it's bird watching, fishing, reading or driving around consider joining us on this trip!
Exact schedule to be decided, but the important issue at this time is for each hiker to consider if they want to participate in this event and to make their reservations for accommodations.
At this time, Jeremy, Sam & Nancy will be camping and the base camp location will be Fort Mountain State Park. I do not suggest taking a chance on getting a camping site upon arrival. Making reservations for camping at this location is highly recommended.
There are numerous websites to study and gather info, so please take some time to look and learn. Even if you have to change things later in the year, we recommend you make some plans now as the accommodations are not plentiful and could book up early.
As we did last year, we will schedule the hike for Saturday (with possibly some other activities in the area) so that those who travel on Friday will be there for the primary hike. Those who wish to go over on Thursday may select their own schedule for Friday.
NOTE the dates for this event. This hiking event will be the second weekend of June! You may go up as early as you wish and stay as long as you like but the primary hike will be on Saturday, June 12, 2010. Please let Marsha or Jeremy know your plans as soon as possible so we can know how many people are going, where they are staying, and the dates they will be there.
Cellular phone service is sporadic in the park so don’t count on that service to be reliable.
A great trip with five people camping and two additional hikers for the Saturday hike.
"The history of this park is most interesting and the hike to the
stone wall and the old fire tower was great. The Saturday activities
were all so much fun, it would be impossible to know which one
was the best. The hike, the lake afterwards, and then the evening
meal together were all top notch." Marsha C.
Please take a moment to read the Participation Guidlines prior to hiking with the Grace Church Hike Group.
Additional Info For All Hikes Information provided by Marsha Conner
ICE INFO
(In Case Of Emergency)
We are now carrying ICE forms with us for safety. The hike planner will
be responsible for being sure these cards are on the trail. A form in a
sealed yellow envelope with critical contact and medical data on each
hiker will be available in case of emergencies. You are required to fill
out the emergency contact information however the medical information
is optional, 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
You should be self-sufficient on the trail. Do not plan to borrow items you
do not have from people hiking with you. They may not have what you need
or they may need it for themselves. Carefully look over the trail description and
map before going, ask questions, and make sure that you are physically able to
handle the terrain, the temperatures, the possible wetness, and the other
interesting things that might happen to us while on the trail! As always we
set our hiking pace to accomadate everyone. So don't think you'll be too slow.
Jeremy & Marsha are always willing to help you to be trail ready.
1. Daypack
2. Water/Fluid Supplies
3. Food/Snack Supplies
4. Cash and Photo ID (ID should be on your person at all times)
5. Other Outdoor Supplies
6. 4 AA Batteries to use in our walkie talkies.
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 in your vehicle 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. The cost of fule is to be shared between driver and
passengers.
c. For your safety, have your ID with you on the trail at
all times.
d. Do not leave valuables in your parked car which you
cannot afford to have stolen!
5. Other Outdoor Supplies
a. Camera, Flash Card(s) or 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
j. Large Pepper Spray (for animal attacks and personal protection)
6. Hunting Season
Remember your Blaze Orange During Hunting Seasons.
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. More Info
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. Carry a large pepper spray.
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.
