Linville Gorge, NC Loop - May 14-16, 2010

[JerryW]

I am planning to do a loop backpacking trip around Linville Gorge starting Friday May 14th and ending Sunday the 16th.

The trip will cover about 22-25 miles. I am planning an easy pace to allow for plenty of sightseeing and picture taking, but a lot of the trails are officially listed as "Most Difficult".

So far, MacEntyre has signed on to join me. Others would also be welcome.

Actual meeting time and place are yet to be determined, but I'll keep this thread up to date when things are finalized.

Tentative plans would be to meet at the Spence Ridge trailhead, head down Spence to the Linville River, head south on Linville Gorge Trail, pick up Leadmine Trail to the Mountains to Sea Trail, take the MST north past Tablerock Mountain and connect back up with Spence to get back to the cars. Or, just the opposite, going clockwise around the Gorge.

Either way, I want to spend one night down at the river and one night somewhere on the MST.

There's a good chance I might hang around(pun intended) for another night or two, either before or after these dates.

Backcountry permits are required for weekend camping in the wilderness area, but they are free. Thanks for the reminder Hawk-eye.

If anyone is interested, sound off.


Jerry

[MacEntyre]

I shall be there!

- MacEntyre

[Hawk-eye]

Permit info is available on this pamplet's second page

[Hawk-eye]

I'd like to go ... kinda depends since the blonde's BD is the 14th ... that's out but might be able to catch you guys the second night somewhere. Hopefully I won't have to be back on the road again that soon.

[JerryW]

might be able to catch you guys the second night somewhere.

It'd be great if you could Hawk-eye. Depending on which direction we decide to go, we should have a close idea of where we'd be Saturday night.


Jerry

[Hawk-eye]

One other thing to remember Jerry ... the Amp and the NC Wall area to Apricot buttress will probably be closed to camping and foot traffic about that time as well as the south western corner of Shortoff. This would be due to the Peregrine Falcon nesting sites. Just something to keep in mind. Ken or I will post updates on that but usually we get notice around April.

[JerryW]

One other thing to remember Jerry ... the Amp and the NC Wall area to Apricot buttress will probably be closed to camping and foot traffic about that time as well as the south western corner of Shortoff. This would be due to the Peregrine Falcon nesting sites. Just something to keep in mind. Ken or I will post updates on that but usually we get notice around April.

That's good to know. Is the Mountains to Sea Trail still open to pass by those areas? You just can't camp there?

[Hawk-eye]

That's good to know. Is the Mountains to Sea Trail still open to pass by those areas? You just can't camp there?

Yeah ... you pass through the area. They don't want you to hike to the edge of the Amp or the NC Wall ... but the trail above is good to go.

I got permission to take Gold Coast Pans last year and I spent about 2 hours watching those little buggers dive and prean on the ledges ... remarkable little "jet" in a birds body. They do tend to stay below the cliff wall though.

There's no trail below the wall to the river as such ... but last year the ban covered the area to the river below the Amp and the NC Wall.

[Ken]

That's good to know. Is the Mountains to Sea Trail still open to pass by those areas? You just can't camp there?

Thru traffic on the MST has always been fine. You just won't be able to go
down on the NCwall and camp like you and Shug did last fall. There are some campsites east of the MST just south of the Chimneys that would be fine.
The sites at Chimney Gap and Cambric would be usable too.

Ken

[slowhike]

I'll have to wait & see, but I'd like to get out there if it works out. I'll keep an eye on this thread!