GORGEOUS GORGES TRACK I [Included]: Highlands Day: Visit Waterfalls around Highlands, the Highlands Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, the town of Highlands, and Optional hike to Whiteside Mountain. The area around Highlands, NC is known for its waterfalls. We'll visit a few of the most spectacular including Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, and Cullasaja Falls in the Cullasaja Gorge in the morning, then we'll explore the Highlands Nature Center and Botanic Garden. We'll head into the picturesque town of Highlands where folks can opt to spend their afternoon visiting the shops, or elect to take an optional 30-min drive to the trailhead of Whiteside mountain; a 2-mi moderate hike (Elevation gain 800') to an overlook with 210 degree views from spectacular cliffs that are home to peregrine falcons! The van will then return to Highlands where the hikers can get ice cream, and everyone can reconvene for the trip back to camp. Limit 30 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes. Note: This is a repeat of the Friday activity by the same name.
ARTS & HISTORY TRACK I [Included]: Gallery Tour: Visit Mark of the Potter, the Folk Pottery Museum, the Gourd Museum, and Anna Ruby Falls. **Cancelled** We'll start our day at Mark of the Potter, a local pottery gallery with working artists on premises to provide demonstrations and answer questions. Along with the work of the four gallery owners, the shop contains works from 25 other artists. From their deck overlooking the Soque River, you'll be able to see large "pet" trout that hang out in the waters below the gallery. From there we'll head over to Anna Ruby Falls, and climb the paved trail up to see this beautiful double waterfall. After hanging out in the park and having lunch, we'll head to The Gourd Place, a museum of local and historical gourd usage, and if desired, walk the short nature trail around their pond. Finally, we'll head back to the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, which showcases the handcraft skills of one of the Souths premier grassroots art forms, and explores the historical importance and changing role of folk pottery in southern life. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes. This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
ROCKS & MINERALS TRACK [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Gem Mining in Franklin & Tubing on Little Tennessee River. We'll visit Sheffield mine in Franklin, NC, where we'll sluice through buckets of native soil pulled from the mine that morning (not salted with minerals found elsewhere!). Good chance of finding sapphires and rubies, as well as other local minerals. We'll spend 2-3 hours at the sluice, hunting for treasures, then, after a picnic lunch, we will head back towards Franklin and stop along the shores of the Little Tennessee River and cool off with a relaxing float. Water levels range from 3 to 8 feet deep, so no scraping your tube against the bottom!; Gentle ride; some small Class I rapids to keep things interesting. Swimming allowed. Both open-bottom and closed-bottom tubes available; your choice! Cost: $22 (includes admission to the mine, two large buckets of native dirt, tube rental and transportation.) Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 60-75 minutes. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday activity by the same name.
BOAT & FLOAT TRACK I [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Chattooga River Rafting - Part III (Class II-III Whitewater). Section III of the Chattooga offers a memorable wilderness experience as rafts meander lazily down this scenic stretch of the river that features abundant wildlife, including herons and nesting Canada Geese. Rapids on Section III are family-friendly Class II and III right up until Bull Sluice at the end--which is an exciting Class IV drop that is one of the highlights of this wildereness experience. Section III is a perfect fit for someone who wants to experience the exhilaration of whitewater rafting, with plenty of time for soaking in the remarkable surroundings. Imagine a tropical rainforest with riverbanks lined in green. This is the perfect outing for first time rafters. No previous experience is necessary. Cost: $95 (includes transportation, guide, and all gear.) Limit 30 people. Drive time from camp: 45 minutes.
BOAT & FLOAT TRACK II [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Flatwater paddle on Lake Tugalo in Kayaks **SOLD OUT** "Paddling Lake Tugalo gives you time to think. Time to daydream, time to ponder the universe, time to reminisce. Plenty of time..." This hidden, scenic gem provides delights at every turn. We'll paddle north for two miles along a shoreline dotted with waterfalls of all sizes, then stop for lunch on a beach where the Chattooga River spills out into the lake. After lunch, we'll leave the kayaks below the rapids on the GA side, hike up and around the small rapids, make our way across the Chattooga River from GA to SC and land on a sandy beach and trailhead. We'll hike from there less than half a mile along a moderate trail with three creek crossings to a very large waterfall. It is estimated at over 75 feet high with several ledges. After playing under the falls and taking pictures, we'll head back to our boats for the two-mile paddle back to the put-in. Cost: $38 (includes kayak rental, guide tip, and transportation). Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 45 min. NOTE: This activity is now SOLD OUT and you can no longer register for it.
ADVENTURE TRACK I [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Mountain Bike and Hike to Waterfalls in Smithgall Woods. Enjoy 8 miles of mountain biking on paved and gravel roads with no cars in pristine Smithgall Woods. We'll hop aboard our rental bikes, and ride four miles past the trailheads of four different hikes. The fourth trail goes to Cathy Ellis Falls. We'll park our bikes at each trailhead and hike. It is about a 15 minute hike to Cathy Ellis Falls, where we'll rest and play in the water. Many beautiful streams along the way with plentiful wildlife and late summer wildflowers. Bring lunch, water, and water shoes. Cost: $55 (includes bike rental and transportation.) Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday activity by the same name.
ADVENTURE TRACK II [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Rappelling This is the first time rappelling has been offered at the Mosaic International event. We will be going into scenic Nantahala National Forest outside of Highlands, NC, to meet our instructor, David Lindsay of Mountain Down, who has been teaching rappelling for 20 years to people from ages 5 to 80. Unlike rock climbing, rappelling is descending on a rope off of a hill. As David says, our minds tell us we're not supposed to be doing this, but getting over your fear of heights and enjoying the sensation of falling is one of the great challenges of this "mind game" sport. David will teach you the basic skills you need to know, give an overview of the equipment and technical aspects, all with safety in mind. You'll start off practicing on flat ground, move to a small slope and, when you're ready, work your way up to a 70-foot drop as you master the basic skill of bounding side-to-side down the hill. Cost: $68 (includes gear, instruction, and transportation). Must have at least 6 people to run this trip. Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 90 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Saturday activity by the same name.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK I [Included]: Hike to Becky Branch Falls and Martins Creek Falls on the Bartram Trail. Our easy-to-moderate 4-mile hike starts at Warwoman Dell, possibly named for Cherokee women who were allowed to fight in wars. From here we'll walk past an old fish hatchery, built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to access the Bartram Trail and ascend along Becky Branch. We'll enter the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area, climbing sharply along Becky Branch. Soon we'll reach Becky Branch Falls. This cascade makes an impressive drop, fed by the waters flowing off Raven Knob and Pinnacle Knob. Continuing on the trail for another 1.8 harder miles we will reach Martin Creek Falls, where we'll find an elaborate wooden deck to observe these beautiful falls -- a two-tiered cascade framed in rhododendron. The upper tier has a rocky fall and slide cascade, while the lower tier includes a delicate veil drop on the right and a curtain type drop on the left. We'll stay here for awhile and enjoy lunch by the falls. From here, we'll head back to complete the 4-mile hike but we'll stop along the way to refresh in Becky Branch creek. Elevation gain 360'. Limit 15 people. Distance from Camp: 45 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Saturday activity by the same name.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK II [Included]: Three Hikes in One - Pickens Nose, Albert Mountain and Big Laurel Falls For those who want to see dramatic views, hike a short section of the Appalachian Trail and then cool off in a plunge-pool waterfall, this is your day. The first short hike to Pickens Nose will feature rock-slab overlooks and rock outcroppings like you've never seen before. From Mooney Gap, hike the AT for 1.8 miles to the Albert Mountain fire tower for outstanding 360° views. The last .3 mile before the summit is one of the steepest and most interesting rock scrambles in the Southern AT (there's a bypass option). For the last destination, the short, easy hike to Big Laurel Falls will allow some cooling off and waterfall enjoyment. Bring your camera! Total hiking distance for the day - 6.2 miles. Elevation gain 960'. Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 80 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Saturday activity by the same name.
MODERATE HIKE TRACK III [Included]: Hike to Ellicott's Rock via the Chattooga River Trail. The point where Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina meet is called Ellicott's Rock. This hike follows the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River upstream on the South Carolina side for 3.5 miles, hugs it in many places, and is almost entirely in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness area. Along the way, we'll stop at the picturesque Spoonauger Falls and cross over a unique footbridge constructed like Lincoln Logs. To view the rock and the old carvings on it, we must leave the trail and venture down a steep riverbank to the water's edge. If you look carefully, you can see "Lat 35° / AD 1813 / NC + SC" engraved in the rock. But, wait, that's the Commissioner's Rock. Will we be able to locate the original rock marked by Andrew Ellicott in 1811? After our view of the various rocks at this tri-state junction, we'll enjoy a white sand beach on the Chattooga River, then retrace our steps back to the beginning. Total hike length 7.5 miles. Elevation gain ~400'. Limit 15 people. Distance from Camp: 80 min.
STRENUOUS HIKE TRACK I [Included]: Hike to Pinnacle on the Bartram Trail. **Cancelled** This 7.5-mile hike follows the same path as the Becky Branch/Martin Creek hike above for the first two miles, but then climbs sharply up to Pinnacle Knob. We'll have lunch at Pinnacle while enjoying the views. The climb before the top is very steep, climbing 600' in 1/2 mile. On the way back down we'll stop at Martin Creek Falls, where we'll find an elaborate wooden deck to observe these beautiful falls -- a two-tiered cascade framed in rhododendron. The upper tier has a rocky fall and slide cascade, while the lower tier includes a delicate veil drop on the right and a curtain type drop on the left. We'll also visit Becky Branch Falls, and stop to play in the creek. Elevation gain 1260'. Limit 12 people. Distance from Camp: 45 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Saturday hike by the same name. This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
STRENUOUS HIKE TRACK II [Included]: Hike to Standing Indian - the Highest Point on the AT south of the Smoky Mountains. Three trails make up this Standing Indian loop, one of the few places you can make a loop hike with the Appalachian Trail and in one of the best hiking destinations in southwest North Carolina. First is the Kimsey Creek Trail, which follows and traverses several creeks and goes through wildlife meadows. Then take the AT for 2.5 miles to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain to enjoy the southwest views at 5499 feet, the tallest mountain south of the Smokies. All your climbing is done in 6.1 miles, and the last leg of the loop is on the steep Lower Ridge Trail for 4.1 miles, which leads you back down to the Nantahala River. Total hike distance: 10.2 miles. Elevation change 2120 feet. Limit 12 people. Drive time from camp: 75 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday hike by the same name.
GORGEOUS GORGES TRACK II [Included]: Visit Tallulah Gorge. **SOLD OUT** One of the most spectacular gorges in the eastern United States, the chasm is less than 2 miles long and approximately 700 feet deep. We will first stop into the interpretive center to learn about the natural history of spectacular Tallulah Gorge, then we will head out to hike the north and south rim trails, viewing the Tallulah River from many overlooks along the way. Elevation change TBD. Limit 30 people. Drive time from camp: 40 min. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday activity by the same name. NOTE: This activity is now SOLD OUT and you can no longer register for it.
ADVENTURE TRACK II [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Advanced Mountain Biking on Official Mountain Championship Trail. **Cancelled** If youve ever wondered what its like to race on a course built and designed for International competition, heres your chance. Named the Unicoi State Park Mountain Bike Trail, it is entirely within the park boundaries. The trail was built for racing, and it shows. This is a ride that keeps your attention throughout because of the constant elevation changes and difficult sections of trail. You can get a good idea of what professional racers face by riding this trail, and youll gain a great deal of respect for their talents after a lap or two. Imagine the water crossings without the bridges, and youll have even more respect. The trail is not all business, though. There are several scenic sections along the creeks, and some view possibilities at the high points. The entire trail is a pleasure to ride, because of its apparent isolation while being so close to civilization. Cost: $45 (includes bike rental, trail fee and transportation.) Limit 12 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes.This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK I [Included]: Leader Training Hike. **Cancelled** Do you know what to do if someone on your hike gets stung by a bee? Gets heat exhaustion? Twists an ankle? Gets separated from the group? On this hike, participants will act out various scenarios provided to them secretly in advance, and all participants will get a chance to lead the hike for a bit. During each leader's segment, something will happen. The leader and the group will attempt to solve the problem, the group will discuss the situation, and refresher training will be provided (for example, if someone "twists an ankle," after working through the problem, proper wrapping technique will be reviewed.) This class is great for beginning hike leaders, anyone who wishes to learn more about safety training, and anyone who wishes to refresh and update their skills. Limit 15 people. NOTE: This activity has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK II [Included]: Environmental/Nature Walk with Diane Silver and Dave. For the first 90 minutes of this session, join Artist-in-Residence Diane Silver for a walk to the waterfalls at camp to look for bugs and other critters and to learn about the stream itself and its inhabitants. Afterwards, Dave will pick up where Diane leaves off to discuss some of the flowers and plants that thrive in the North Georgia woods. Limit 20 people.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK III [Included]: Boating/ Swimming in Camp. The waterfront at the lake will be open this morning for boating around the lake, swimming, sunning on the dock, and jumping on "the blob!" Unlimited.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK IV [Included]: Sports and Fitness at Camp. There are gorgeous tennis courts, basketball courts, and other sporting fields available and open for your use. There's also a state-of-the-art air-conditioned fitness facility! Grab a partner, get a group together, hit some balls, shoot some hoops, or just work out on your own... then go cool off in the lake.... Unlimited.
BOAT & FLOAT TRACK III [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Half-Day Tubing on the Little Tennessee River. Water levels range from 3 to 8 feet deep, so no scraping your tube against the bottom!; Gentle ride; some small Class I rapids to keep things interesting. Swimming allowed. Both open-bottom and closed-bottom tubes available; your choice! Cost: $12 (includes tube rental and transportation.) Limit 15 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes. NOTE: Possibility of late return to camp, depending on river flow. Please plan accordingly...
ADVENTURE TRACK III [Pre-Paid Add-On]: Segway Tour along Little Tennessee River. Looking for a different way to experience the outdoors? Join us as we glide along the Little Tennessee River Greenway and enjoy the beauty of the mountains, river, flora and fauna atop a Segway XT. Sightings of pileated woodpeckers, wild turkey and river otters are not uncommon. On this three hour tour, you will experience the Segway's capability in varied terrains. We will travel over paved pathways, gravel walkways, and shaded forest trails to visit various sights and paths along the river. Glide effortlessly up hills and gradually experience faster speeds as all riders will be given the opportunity to key up to the red key for a faster glide. Cost: $55 (includes Segway rental, safety gear, and instruction.) Limit 6 people. Drive time from camp: 60 minutes. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday and Saturday activities by the same name.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK I [Included]: Odyssey Challenge Course. It's not High Ropes. It's not Low Ropes. It's something completely different altogether! After some on-ground training, you'll embark in two groups of eight by climbing an inclined cargo net into the lower level, first treehouse. At each treehouse you'll navigate through either lower level or upper level linear challenges, finally disembarking from the course, thoroughly energized, via Zipline. Limit 16 people. NOTE: This is a repeat of the Friday and Saturday activities by the same name.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK II [Included]: Nature Photography Hike with Dave. This one is Dave's choice as for where to go around camp. Will it be the lake? The woods? A stream? A waterfall? Or heck -- last year an old landfill was the prime place to see wild cucumbers! You just never know where you might go or what you might find. Bring your camera so your friends will believe that you really DID see that rare red eft! Elevation change minimal. Limit 20 people.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK III [Included]: Can You Canoe?! Almost anyone can get from here to there in a canoe. But can you get from here to there smoothly, with minimum energy, safely, and without yelling at your paddling partner? Brenlee will teach paddling strokes: basic stroke, draws and pries, sweeps, J-stroke. Those who show proficiency will then be taught some solo skills. Added bonus option: do you know what to do if a canoe tips? Those who wish will be taught rescue techniques. Rescue practice will require getting wet. Limit 14 people.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK IV [Included]: Pool Open in Camp. The Olympic-sized pool will be open this afternoon for swimming, sunning, reading, or just hanging out. Lifeguards will be on duty. Unlimited.
CAMP ACTIVITIES TRACK V [Included]: Sports and Fitness at Camp. There are gorgeous tennis courts, basketball courts, and other sporting fields available and open for your use. There's also a state-of-the-art air-conditioned fitness facility! Grab a partner, get a group together, hit some balls, shoot some hoops, or just work out on your own... then go cool off in the pool.... Unlimited.
© 2007 Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America. All rights reserved.