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Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:11 pm
by cvmercer
Dear Summitposters,
Hello, my wife and I just moved to Atlanta from Boise, we are beginning to have mountain withdraws. We are getting settled in and have done some of the park hikes around town, we intend to start getting up to the Appalachians and the Chattahoochee National Forest in the coming weekends.
I was curious if anyone has any recommendations for weekend camping trips, backpacking trips, hikes, parks, outfitters, stores, bars, hangouts, hole in the wall stops, etc...
Thank you and I appreciate your help.

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 4:39 pm
by jonclimbingon
I grew up there but never climbed there. But here's at least a few suggestions:
My step brother lives in Highlands NC and climbs here:
http://www.summitpost.org/whiteside-mountain/152974

My brother who used to live there climbed here a lot:
http://www.summitpost.org/tallulah-gorge/154870

While I could usually be found here:
http://www.clermontlounge.net
I don't think there's a summit post page for that yet, but it's historical and definitely worth a visit.

And now when I go back I go to the Brickstore Pub - great beer selection:
http://www.brickstorepub.com/

Enjoy. It was a great city to grow up in.

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:05 pm
by Sarah Simon
Check out atlantaclimbingclub.org and atlantaoutdoor(s)club.org

There is one club full of die-hard peak hunters based in Atlanta - not sure if it's one of these or another group - worth investigating.

Also, there are tons of peaks here on SP for NE Georgia and southern NC.

Embrace the ticks, poison ivy and copperheads. Spring and fall are lovely in the southern Appalachians. Learn to love your chicken fried. Talk to sp member BobSmith.

Enjoy!

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:22 pm
by Buz Groshong
This should be moved to the Eastern US forum.

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:45 am
by EMcCord
I grew-up in Atlanta and still reside here. For mountain hiking, try the Tray Mtn. leg of the Appalachian Trail north of Helen. Beyond that, NC offers great opportunities. You didn't mention rock climbing but if interested check out Mt. Yonah just north of Cleceland or Currahee also in North Ga. If you like specialty outdoor stores, try Highcountry Outfitters in Buckhead. They specialize in backpacking, camping, canoeing, rock & ice climbing and mountaineering. Oh, the Clermont Lodge Lounge was a dive and has been closed for 4 to 5 years now. If your into micro-breweries, Atlanta offers Redbrick and Sweetwater Breweries. Welcome to Hotlanta...don't worry, October is just around the corner!!

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:43 pm
by climberska
It’d be a few hours drive, but the trails around the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee are great for mountain biking/hiking. The perimeter trail is ~ 20 miles in length. It is mostly remote, in the woods, up and down, some rough spots - it is not a smooth, high speed trail. I did see a rattle snake there once (heard it rattling first). Here’s the map: http://visit.sewanee.edu/_media/pdf/hiking.pdf Drive past the equestrian center, park car off the dirt road somewhere, unload bikes, go riding – or go hiking. Actually you can park ANYWHERE to start your bike ride - near the big white cross is good, or anywhere on the campus is good. I did it many times and no one said anything to me and there was no red tape. The University campus is very beautiful - good for biking also. A great bike shop called Woody’s Bicycles is in Sewanee and right across the street is a pub with good food and beer. http://www.woodysbicycles.com/web/Welcome.html You might try the drive south from Winchester, Tn to Hytop, Al along Rowe Gap Road for a rural scenic drive. There is some hiking along there near the TN/AL border to a place called Walls of Jerico or something like that - I have not hiked it. http://www.alapark.com/press/release.cfm?id=322

For a weekend getaway, you can go to Bryson City, NC and rent a cabin from Galbreath Creek Cabins. I’m cheap (usually will sleep in my car when traveling if no CG is available, rather than spend $$ for a Motel 6) and these cabins seemed expensive but were well worth the money and we did not want to leave. http://www.galbreathcreekcabins.com/our-cabins.html I recommend the Treehouse or the Smith Mill Cabin – the only ones I am familiar with – just big enough for 2 people – larger cabins are available. Drive a few miles thru the woods to nearby Deep Creek to rent inner tubes for some mild almost-white-water tubing. http://www.greatsmokies.com/tubing.php Or go to GSMNP and go for a hike or scenic drive. Do drive the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Asheville, NC - very beautiful drive. Good food in Bryson City.

Or, for hiking/camping go to Mt. Mitchell State Park in NC.
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi ... arkmap.pdf
Hike/bike trip: Lock bikes at the top of Mt. Mitchell, drive car down to Black Mountain campground at the bottom of the peak and hike up to the bikes, for ~ 3,600’ gain. Then, put on sweatshirt and windbreaker, and ride back down to the car. Part of road to CG is gravel, so mountain bike would be best. I did it on street bike and wanted mountain bike. It can be very cold on top and may be windy so bring warm clothes. Can also backpack overnight along ridge starting at Mt. Mitchell summit/visitor center.

Mt. Sterling area in GSMNP is a good weekend hike. Hike up from Big Creek CG, camp near the lookout tower at the top. To do a loop, hide bikes in woods near Mt. Sterling Gap (just a wide spot in dirt road 10 years ago), drive back to Big Creek in car, hike up to Mt. Sterling, then hike down to bikes at the gap and ride back to car being VERY cautious if you ride with a full pack – when I did it 10 years ago the road was good gravel – best on a mountain bike – tricky on a road bike. http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/mountsterling.htm Here is better map, Mt. Sterling is in upper right of map: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/u ... uly-11.pdf

Re: Atlanta Area Suggestions

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:03 pm
by e-doc
Southern Nantahala WIlderness from the Tate City side.