JUST A PAUSE FOR THE CAUSE: PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OR MAKING A DONATION TO THE FOOTHILLS TRAIL CONSERVANCY. YOU CAN JOIN FOR AS LITTLE AS $25. THEY ARE A 401C3 ORGANIZATION SO ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTABLE. THEY ARE IN DESPERATE NEED FOR DONATIONS SINCE THEY WENT THROUGH MANY CHAIN SAWS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT CLEARING ALMOST 500 TREES FROM THE TRAILS AFTER HELENE. WE HAVE BEEN HIKING THE FOOTHILLS TRAIL FOR DECADES AND WANT TO GIVE BACK. HERE IS THE LINK TO THEIR SITE FOR JOINING OR MAKING A DONATION. foothillstrail.org THANK YOU
BOOK YOUR RESERVATION NOW FOR THE 2025 BRR FALL OUTING AT FALLS CREEK FALLS STATE PARK IN TN. THE PRICE GOES UP AT THE VACANCY GOES DOWN. YOU CAN CANCEL UP TO 48 HOURS FOR A FULL REFUND. SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS.
TUESDAY NOV 19, 2024
CANCELED (RAIN) RABUN BALD from Beegum Gap
Description:
Weather permitting, watch for rain cancellation, At 4696 feet, Rabun Bald is the second highest point in Georgia. From the old fire tower atop the summit, there are grand vistas in all directions. Start this loop trail at Beegum Gap choosing the rocky road bed on the left. The trail climbs quickly into a pine and hardwood forest with scattered rhododendron. It’s a constant climb for about 0.75 mi where it joins the yellow blazed Bartram Trail. Take a right at this intersection. A half mile further, the trail meets the alternate path from the trailhead… a good place to pause before the final half mile assent to the tower. At less than 3.5 total miles and 1000ft of gain the terrain is difficult outbound, easy return, overall moderate. If the climb doesn’t take your breath away the views will.
DIRECTIONS (GPS: 34.971108, -83.302528)
Meet, pool, and depart as usual from KKEPA at 8:30am and/or Walhalla at 9:00am. Additional detail on the link below.
Directions: Click here for directions and details.
THURSDAY NOV 21, 2024
PANTHERTOWN WEST
Description:
Dress warmly! Panthertown, “the Yosemite of the East” deserves that appellation for its multiple, fast rising gneiss (not gnat) mountains, rock walls and stream filled valleys. A long time favorite route is the 7-8 mile loop starting from the Saltrock Trailhead on the west side of the 10,000 acre tract. It includes the Blackrock, Overlook, Carlton’s, North Rd, Wardens, Devil’s Elbow, Little Green, Schoolhouse and Panthertown Valley trails. Elevation gain is about 1000ft, beginning with a moderate, 500ft, one mile climb to the 4500ft summit of Black Rock Mtn and its vistas, then descend almost 1000ft over the next 1.6 miles to the valley floor below. From there the going is mostly flat and easy. except for the optional quarter mile spur and scramble down to Warden Falls. From there we’ll lunch at Schoolhouse Falls…and return via Panther Valley Trail.
DIRECTIONS (GPS: 35.165286, -83.049344 or possibly 35.16702, -83.03817) Gather and pool separately from either KKEPA or Walhalla. Both groups depart at 830AM and reassemble at Sloan Bridge Picnic Area (on SC107 just north of its Wigington Rd intersect) for a 915A restart from there.
Directions: Click here for directions and details.
2025 BRR FALL OUTING
Time for something new! The BRR fall outing will be held at Falls Creek Falls State Park in TN from September 8-11 (Mon-Thur). The Lodge was recently built, has air conditioning, balcony’s/patios, and is beautiful! Each room also has WiFi, a TV, and a small refrigerator. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this popular event.
Falls Creek Falls State Park is located in Spencer, TN (about a 4 hour drive from Seneca). This lodge allows us to cancel up to 2 days before for a full refund. We will reschedule for a later week in September or October if rain is in the forecast.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park is huge – encompassing more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades.
A complimentary buffet breakfast in their lakeside restaurant is provided to all guests staying at the lodge. There are also electric vehicle chargers and a heated, waterside pool, located just below the restaurant. On the opposite side of the lake, guests can rent paddleboards and kayaks at the boat dock or enjoy the 18-hole golf course. Happy Hour can take place around a nice fire pit.
This is a very popular State Park and will likely sell out so make your reservations immediately if not sooner. You can get a full refund it you cancel by Sept 6 (48 hours before your reservation).
A 10% discount is available for AAA and Seniors (over 62 years old) for the lodge rooms. There are several lodging options – including cabins right on the lake with a fabulous view, lodge rooms, and camp sites. The cabins are older – some have been renovated and command a higher price. The prices go up as the vacancy goes down. So make your reservation ASAP. Here are approximate nightly prices with the senior discount right now:
Lodge King Bed: $172 – $192
Lodge 2 Queen Beds: $181 – $201
2 BRM Cabins: $300
Cabin on Water: $333 – $369
Campsites: various prices
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner where we order off the menu. All meals are paid for separately.
There are a few Lodge rooms and cabins that allow dogs and cats. Dogs are allowed on many (but not all) of the trails. There is a $20/night charge for pets. Be sure to let the reservation agent know if you require a pet-friendly room. Campsites allow pets of course.
For reservations go to:
https://tnstateparks.com/parks/fall-creek-falls
Or call 888 867-2757. (We don’t have a group code because we would lose the ability to cancel up to 48 hours before the event.)
Trip Extentions: A Mountaineering Bluegrass Festival is taking place there the weekend before our outing (Sept 5-7). It includes music, vendors, food, crafts, and is open to the public. The price of admission is your parking fee.
If you are more into country music, Nashville is only a 2 hour drive from Falls Creek Falls State Park.
Please let Susan Hehir ([email protected]) know if you are planning to attend so she can send you the hiking plan, and rescheduling notification if rain is in the forecast.
BRR Library
Planning to do some hiking on your own? You can borrow a book from our hiking library. The library offers many different books about hiking in NC, SC, and GA. From our home page click on “Resources”. The bottom half of the page lists the different books available. A big thanks to those who donated to the library: Nancy Carkhuff, Michael Gauderer, Bill Ebeling, and others. To request a book contact the librarian at: [email protected].