Video: Backpacking Savage Gulf

**Jaxx** · 11-01-2017, 12:30

Just got back from meeting up with some other hammock forum members and YouTubers. We met at Savage Gulf. We had a blast hiking together. Hope you guys enjoy!

Savage Gulf is 15,590-acre natural area located in Grundy and Sequatchie Counties. Carved like a giant crowfoot into the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau, it is one of Tennessee's most scenic wilderness areas. Its sheer sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons provide extraordinary views. A significant feature is Stone Door, a 10 ft. wide by 100 ft. deep crack, forming from the top of the escarpment into the gorge below. It looks like a giant door left ajar and was once used by Indians as a passageway. Breathtaking waterfalls form at the head of many gorges, where streams drop off over hard sandstone cap rock. Greeter Falls drops over a 15-foot upper ledge and then plummets over a 50-foot lower ledge into a cold, clear plunge pool. Savage Creek enters its gorge over cascades and drops 30-foot at Savage Falls. Collins River and Ranger Creek have waterfalls that drop over limestone ledges and flow into sinks where they disappear. Big Creek, Collins River and Savage Creeks each tumble down over 5 miles, dropping over 800 feet through narrow gorges, forming the "Gulfs." Observed from a 750 overlook, Big Creek mysteriously disappears below. Many other big streams go underground cutting through shale and limestone to form dry creek beds. Sudden heavy rainfall however can result in flash floods, and streams can become very dangerous.

While much of the gorge is second growth forest, there is one large section of old growth mixed mesophytic forest in the gorge. The gorge forests abound with oaks, hickories, maples, yellow poplars, hemlocks, pines and many other tree species. Beneath the forest canopy is a vast array of shrubs, vines, wildflowers, mosses and ferns. Collins Gulf is noted for its spectacular display of spring wildflowers. In the uplands, an old growth short leaf pine forest is found where red cockaded woodpeckers once nested. The natural area is a part of the South Cumberland State Park. Savage Gulf is also on the Registry of National Natural Landmarks.

**TrailSlug** · 11-01-2017, 14:12

Oh man am I bummed. I had a chance to meet some of the elite hikers and youTubers in our region and I passed. That'll not happen again. I tried that avocado and hot sauce and wow is that good. I used Texas Petes wing sauce. Which sauce do you use? That quilt was prettier than your shorts in my opinion

Did you guys take a different trail back or just do an out and back? Which camp site did you have at Hobbs as I think I'm heading that way this weekend. Thanks for taking us along and sharing your trip with us. Give me a holler in the future.

**Jaxx** · 11-01-2017, 15:32

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

Oh man am I bummed. I had a chance to meet some of the elite hikers and youTubers in our region and I passed. That'll not happen again. I tried that avocado and hot sauce and wow is that good. I used Texas Petes wing sauce. Which sauce do you use? That quilt was prettier than your shorts in my opinion

Did you guys take a different trail back or just do an out and back? Which camp site did you have at Hobbs as I think I'm heading that way this weekend. Thanks for taking us along and sharing your trip with us. Give me a holler in the future.

I use the Texas Petes brand Sriracha sauce. Taste better that the Hoy fong sriracha in my opinion. We didn't take the same trail back we took the rim trail out. We had 3 camp sites.. i stayed at maybe 7 I think but im not 100% on that.

**TrailSlug** · 11-01-2017, 15:58

Thanks Jaxx.

**ftroop94** · 11-01-2017, 19:43

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

That quilt was prettier than your shorts in my opinion

Did you guys take a different trail back or just do an out and back?...Which camp site did you have at Hobbs...?

That quilt was manly...those shorts...

Took the Rim trail in and the Plateau out. We didn’t go into the gulf on the Savage leg, only on the Gizzard portion.

Sites 2,3 and 5. The video was in 2, but all are hammock friendly

~ftroop (Scout’s mascot)

**Jaxx** · 11-01-2017, 20:12

Originally Posted by ftroop94

That quilt was manly...those shorts...

Took the Rim trail in and the Plateau out. We didn’t go into the gulf on the Savage leg, only on the Gizzard portion.

Sites 2,3 and 5. The video was in 2, but all are hammock friendly

~ftroop (Scout’s mascot)

HA! You are just jealous that you don't have the legs of a stallion

Now your calves on the other hand well that's a differnt story!

**TrailSlug** · 11-01-2017, 20:14

Originally Posted by ftroop94

That quilt was manly...those shorts...

Took the Rim trail in and the Plateau out. We didn’t go into the gulf on the Savage leg, only on the Gizzard portion.

Sites 2,3 and 5. The video was in 2, but all are hammock friendly

~ftroop (Scout’s mascot)

Thanks a ton ftroop. Was the Plateau trail interesting?

**ftroop94** · 11-01-2017, 20:21

If you like a flat walk through the middle of the woods it’s great!

If it’s just an overnight, I’d suggest the North Rim into Hobbs. The next day take the Connector to Stagecoach up to the South Rim and out.

If you want to embrace the suck do it clockwise, but be prepared for the climb out of the gorge up to Hobbs. We’d have done that, but it would have sucked all the oxygen from my calves and I’d have passed out!

**johnspenn** · 11-02-2017, 06:23

Looks like a fun time. Nice chemistry between the compadres. Great series!

**Jaxx** · 11-02-2017, 17:46

Originally Posted by johnspenn

Looks like a fun time. Nice chemistry between the compadres. Great series!

Those guys are for sure a riot. Who needs enemies when you have these jokers to yank your chain. Met every one of them on HF or met them thru someone on HF. Good bunch of boys, EVEN THOUGH!