Meeting Description
Who
- This will be a weekend camping trip to Hot Springs, North Carolina for six THOG Meetup members. I reserved a river-side group campsite at the Hot Springs Campground.
Organized by
- Grant C. (THOG Organizer)
Details
What:
This will be an unstructured trip. I will not be scheduling anything specific for the group as a whole. However, some or all of us may agree on doing one of the following together:
1) Soak in the tubs at the Hot Springs Spa. It is across the street from the campground and open until midnight.
http://www.nchotsprin...
2) Take a short hike (~4 miles, round-trip), northbound, on the Appalachian Trail to an overlook called Lovers Leap. From the overlook you can look down upon on the French Broad River and the town of Hot Springs.
http://www.bluffmount...
3) Drive approximately 45 minutes (one-way) to Max Patch and take a short hike to the top of the mountain at 4,629 feet. This is an outstanding 360 degree view!
http://hikingthecarol...
Driving directions to Max Patch from Hot Springs, click below.
http://tinyurl.com/6p...
4) Take a half-day rafting trip down the French Broad River.
http://www.noc.com/Ra...
5) Walk around the tiny town of Hot Springs.
http://www.hotsprings...
6) Fish in the river.
7) Relax at the campsite . . . read a book . . . build a campfire, etc.
Where:
Hot Springs, North Carolina
http://www.hotsprings...
Driving directions and distance from Raleigh (approx. 300 miles, one-way)
http://www.mapquest.c...
Expect to leave the Raleigh area at 8 AM and arrive at the campground around 2 PM. This allows about an hour for lunch, breaks, and a gasoline stop.
Hot Springs Campground Info.
http://camp.nchotspri...
Carpool Information:
We will carpool with no more than three cars in our group. A meeting place for our carpool has not yet been determined. I will contact everyone within a week of the trip to discuss carpool arrangements and to confirm attendance.
I will drive one car with two passengers and their camping gear. I will need at least one other driver who can take two people and their gear.
RSVPs:
If you RSVP "YES", please be certain that you can attend this event. If you discover that you cannot attend, please remove yourself from the RSVP list promptly, so that someone else can sign-up.
There will not be a wait-list for this trip. Check this page occasionally to see if new spaces become available.
The RSVP list will open Wednesday, April 23, and close Sunday, May 11.
Avoid signing up for this trip if you must be back in Raleigh by a specific time, Sunday. Return times cannot be estimated accurately, but expect to be back in Raleigh late Sunday evening.
Pets and children are not permitted on this trip.
By signing up for and attending this event, you are releasing the trip leader and Triangle Hiking and Outdoors Group (THOG) from any and all liability which might occur while participating in this event. You are also aware of the risks of participating in this event.
Estimated costs:
Camping = $6 per person
The camping fee of $6 will be paid to me by each person in attendance.
French Broad Rafting = $52 per person for the half-day, deluxe trip (if interested)
http://www.noc.com/pr...
Hot Tub rental = the price varies (if interested)
http://www.nchotsprin...
Gasoline expect approx. $36 - $40 per person
The gasoline expenses will be shared between the passengers and the driver.
Meals/groceries and extras are at your cost
Meals:
We may walk to a restaurant for Saturday's dinner and/or Sunday's breakfast or cook at the campsite, if interested.
Weather:
In the event of rain or forecasted rain we will still go on this trip and hope for a favorable change in the weather - unless severe storms are predicted. Be prepared to camp in the rain and get wet if the weather forecast is not promising.
Hot Springs Weather Forecast
http://tinyurl.com/5t...
What to bring:
Please be prepared and have the proper camping gear and clothing for this trip. If you need camping equipment, you can rent it at REI.
http://tinyurl.com/2j...
Remember to bring rain gear (jacket and pants), extra warm and dry clothes, a sense of humor, and an easy-going demeanor since the weather or unforeseen circumstances beyond the event leader's control may cause the trip to deviate from your expectations.
Here is a camping equipment checklist. It is very detailed, however.
http://files.meetup.c...
Photos:
Here are links to the photos from the prior events.
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