I'll even try to take pictures, provided my camera doesn't freeze up like it did last year. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Papi
I'll even try to take pictures, provided my camera doesn't freeze up like it did last year. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Papi
i just got a blackbird for christmas so i am planning on coming but i might need a ride does anybody have any room in their vehicle i live in asheboro nc south of greensboro
Message to those thinking of coming but concerned about it being "Car camping,, EWWW!"
We will likely be the only ones there, after all you would have to be nuts to go camping, in a hammock, in cold weather in the mountains.
The campground is a well established site IN the park, not one of those bulldozed sterile "RV camps" we have all seen. There are ample trees & stuff, with a few amenities. IMHO it will still have a near wilderness feel once we move in.
If you feel the need to hike in, park at the rangers station about 1 mile before the campground.
Want to hike further? Park at the rangers station, take the AT connector trail to the AT, take that (trail N) to the wise shelter & then down the access trail to the Campground.
There will still be many options for wilderness day hikes to some FANTASTIC views. In fact I am seriously considering hiking the 4 - 5 miles to the top of Mt Rogers on Thursday: AT spur trl, S on the AT (East[ish] by the compass) to the Mt Rogers spur trl (aka the Susan Spillane trl) just past the Thomas Knob shelter (& privy). All in all a strenuous hike, with quite a LOT of elevation gain, but plenty of heart stopping views & a scramble through the "Fat Man's Misery". I'm thinking it will take about 3.5 hrs to do as long as the snow isn't too deep & the stops to look at the views aren't too long. :D
A tempting thought there Doc. Would like to make the Thurs night hang with you but I don't see WFR and I getting there until mid afternoon on Thursday. I would like to try and make that hike to Mt Rogers on Friday though. Have to see if I can convince WFR to join me.
We Plan on getting there around 10:00 AM - Noon, depends on how many & how long the stops on the way down are :D I'm Stopping at the Ranger station where the weather station camera can see me to let my wife know I made it down safely. Plus I want to see & thank the rangers for all they did. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Muskrat
I was thinking of parking at Elk Garden and coming over to Grayson with a night at Thomas Knob of course weather conditions have the final say. 4mi to the shelter and then 5mi to the campground via Massie Gap. Would need a ride back to my truck though.
This is Doctari's last list from page one of this thread.
I have removed (regretfully) some & added some (yeah).
Please check it out & see what corrections need to be made & we'll correct the list on page one as well.
So far the ones who are coming are:
WHO / WHAT BRINGING
Doctari / Duraflame log & hot dogs.
Firewalker / A grill with legs & Still undecided on a Potluck food item.
Muskrat / Brats & Buns
MacEntyre (& Things 1 & 2?) / "Grateful Bread: a few loaves of their breakfast bread"
bugman0914 / SW sausage and cheese dip to be heated on the fire.
WV / Homemade Hummus & Carrot sticks
slowhike / NA so far
rip waverly / I will bring a 5lb pack of tater's to cut up and foil-cook in the fire.
lazarus / NA so far
bonsaihiker / my wife's awesome from-scratch brownies!
Poppabear / Trash bags, paper towels & "some kind of dessert"
Darby / Brats
smithobx/
Dutch / Pies?
2Questions / reflector oven & a container of homemade Chili.
Tendertoe / "Something sweet"
NCPatrick / Cookies
angrysparrow/ venison bacon
Hickery/Pie Irons
aBRG2far/
Shrotbus/
Maybe's:
fulminated / NA so far
greenlespaul / NA so far
McSpartan / NA so far
krugd / NA so far
skyline / NA so far
kmanclutch/
Yea, a ride to your truck shouldn't be hard to get I can take you there. Careful on those rocks on the N side of Mt Rogers, if there is snow some of the cracks would be hard to see & the rocks are somewhat slippery when dry, so,,,,,,,Quote:
Originally Posted by aBRG2far
Will leave you a note in Thomas Knob if we get there & you aren't, maybe you can join us on the summit. I plan on stopping at the shelter anyway for water & a break.
Now THAT sounds like a proper Winter hike! Are you looking to solo, or might you be up for some company?Quote:
Originally Posted by aBRG2far
Sure there's safety in numbers. I trek alone alot in the Smokies but I know my way around plus I'm not a fast hiker and in winter conditions thats probably best. If it works out I would make it to Elk Garden around noon on Thursday.Quote:
Originally Posted by wisenber