saturday feb 27 south mountain park NC

**cooldays** · 02-18-2010, 00:08

medicine man, oh my!, i thought i just didn't know how to use gps!.....how funny I tried putting the uwarrie coordinates in a dozen times and couldnt figure out which system to use...heheh

Anywyay, we should see weather forcasts soon for that day.

**Hangin' Burrito** · 02-18-2010, 06:18

As it looks now, I believe I'll make it!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate. What's the proposed hiking route?

Hang on, Spring is coming.

**NCPatrick** · 02-18-2010, 07:42

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

Also, like at Uwharrie, if you have a GPS coord of the campsite that would be good...just remembered the last GPS coord you gave was not in this country! hehehe

Yeah, for Uwharrie I gave some coordinates that I got from Google maps, which were apparently not GPS coordinates (obviously). Maybe someone with an actual GPS can give you those coordinates. I don't have one.

Originally Posted by Hangin' Burrito

As it looks now, I believe I'll make it!

Hopefully the weather will cooperate. What's the proposed hiking route?

Hang on, Spring is coming.

Yay! I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) the plan is just to make your way up to Upper Falls camping area and look for hammocks (or set up and we'll be there soon). It's not far. I figured we would use it as base camp to hike from if a longer hike is desired. There are some camps farther out in the park that I'd like to explore, although I've heard water sources can be spotty in some of them. The huge waterfall is also fun to see (although we'll be camping right there close to it, so not much of a hike to it).

UPDATE
Info on distances from the parking lot (from the park web site):

Upper Falls Trail, 1.4 miles
Shinny Creek, 1.2 miles
Sawtooth Trail, 2.5 miles
Jacob Branch, 3.8 miles
Fox Trail, 4.9 miles
Murray Branch, 5.4 miles

**eagleJ** · 02-19-2010, 16:45

Darn

Won't be able to make this one BSA trip same weekend. So looks like I'll be in Chester SC hope the trip goes well look forward to reading trip report.

**cooldays** · 02-19-2010, 18:58

hopefully again soon eagle J.
have a good trip!

**MedicineMan** · 02-20-2010, 21:22

anyone remember the Move 'Last of the Mohicans'? is it here the waterfall scene was filmed, or is that urban myth? I googled some pics from this park and there are some nice falls there so just maybe.
I'm bringing a noobie to the hanging world so hoping and thinking she'll see different set ups from most of us but if someone-Cooldays maybe-could bring an insulated cabin tent capable of sleeping 6 with stove it'd be good insurance HA!

**Hawk-eye** · 02-20-2010, 21:27

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

anyone remember the Move 'Last of the Mohicans'? is it here the waterfall scene was filmed, or is that urban myth? I googled some pics from this park and there are some nice falls there so just maybe.

The waterfall scene was a combination of shots ... from Linville falls, Bridal Vail and in indoor waterfall created just for the movie ... and a little digital magic. But none in S. Mountain. Lots of the shots were filmed all over western NC ... the Chimney's in Linville Gorge, Chimney Rock Park, the Biltmore Est., the fort was built right on Lake James near the current boat landing (Shortoff Mtn can be seen in the background shots at night) ... OK ... I know way too much about this movie ... can you tell it's been my favorite book since I was a rug rat?

**MedicineMan** · 02-21-2010, 00:03

Hawk-eye, sounded like you were in the movie!!

**cooldays** · 02-21-2010, 18:33

I just checked the weather. Looks like 40's and sunny in the days, below freezing at night and possible snow on friday. Should be good for day hikes from our camp.

I expect that recent windstorm with the 50 mile winds should have knocked down lots of good firewood. Is this park ok with campfires?

I have a friend coming as well who is new to hammocks but very experienced thru-hiker. I'm just trying to patch together enough gear for the two of us. Making new tarp guy lines with self tensioners as we speak...

cooldays

**NCPatrick** · 02-21-2010, 21:02

Originally Posted by cooldays

I just checked the weather. Looks like 40's and sunny in the days, below freezing at night and possible snow on friday. Should be good for day hikes from our camp.

I expect that recent windstorm with the 50 mile winds should have knocked down lots of good firewood. Is this park ok with campfires?

I have a friend coming as well who is new to hammocks but very experienced thru-hiker. I'm just trying to patch together enough gear for the two of us. Making new tarp guy lines with self tensioners as we speak...

cooldays

Yeah, they're fine with campfires. They even leave some firewood for you in a shared pile (shared amongst all the campsites). Multiple campsites up at Upper Falls. They have picnic tables, firepits, privy, steel critter-proof bin to store your food in. We won't exactly be roughing it. BTW it's 12.00 per night per group < 10 people. I was going to see if I could get up there either later Friday or early Saturday. Why don't I just pay for all of us. That way we won't all pay or forget to pay.