Options For RRG Thanksgiving Hang

[Pak-Man]

Congratulations RP, and I hope you can still make it.

PRky, it is great to hear from you again. I am hoping that they do lift the fire ban from the area as the attendance of the park is going to drop off dramatically in november. Then at least we can have a central fire.

We do still have options though with day hikes or if we want to hike up Swift Camp Creek to the hang area of the Spring Hang..

if you are still interested in going, hang in, and hold on.. we will see what happens over the next few weeks.

Thanks everyone..

"dirt"

[Jsaults]

but living <3 hours from the RRG and not having been there since about 1982 maybe I should pencil this in. At least for the first night. Everything depends on the Holiday & family plans though. I will keep watching. And I should have my new Burrow by then too.

Jim

[PRKy]

I saw a fresh post on kywilderness this morning to the effect that all trails in RRG were now closed........

Smoke from the fire is now visable from Natural Bridge SRP..........


We need several days of rain down here.

Anyone want to try for Big South Fork???

[Pak-Man]

PRky,

I am going to call the Gladie Center at lunch and see what the Official Word is..

If we have cancell and you are willing to lead the BSF area event that would be great.. My wife and I would most likely not be able to attend however.

Ill post after lunch.

Thank you

"dirt"

[Pak-Man]

There are several closures still in the RRG, however, the Entire Gorge Is Not Closed... There are a few options that do exist so here they are...


Option One: Backpack up from Rockbridge area north up Swift Camp Creek Trail. Staying on the trail Friday Night and Saturday Night. We can then set up a shuttle system to get everyone back down to Rock bridge. This will not include a central fire if there is still a ban ( THIS IS LIKELY)

Option Two: Camping at Koomer Ridge Friday and Saturday and Day Hike.We will be limited on Day Hike options however and probably limited to out and backs of Swift Camp Creek Trial or Koomer. North of the Suspension Bridge Hikes to Indian Staircase might also be an option. We CAN have campfires in the rings at Koomer.

Option Three: PRky has brought up taking this hang into the Big South Fork Area. If this shows heavy interes then we will have to arrange things further.

Thank you all.

"dirt"

[gnatx]

i would be fine with BSF actualy i like that idea but the rock bridge sounds good too

oh btw can any one loan me some cold weather gear i just my hh exped a few weeks ago

[PRKy]

I'm game for either location; I just suggested BSF as an alternative if we can't get in the Gorge. (BSF is as nice as RRG imho)

I'd like to try the Natural Arch area, just north of Whitley City on 27 sometime. Maybe I can get up a hang for us there this spring.

[krugd]

I could go for 1 or 3, but haven't been in the rockbrodge area in a while and would like to return there.

[Doctari]

1 & 2 only for me I fear. 2.75 hr drive to RRG vs 4.4 hr drive to BSF.

I Think I said it elsewhere, but one of my favorite campsites is on Swift Camp Creek, just above Poochie's falls & has sites for at least 10 hangers. Even in Summer it is a bit cool there due to being sheltered & shaded, but as it is heavily sheltered by Rhododendron, it should be warmer than surrounding area when we are down there.
It is,,,,,, "difficult" to get to, but water should be available from the creek at the base of the falls. There was a rope to help descend & climb when I was thee last (spring this year). I think it's about a 4 - 5 mile hike in from the short side of the Rock bridge loop, on a moderate* trail. All 3 times I have been there, the creek that is Poochie's falls was flowing, so may be again by the time we get there.


Anyway, that gets my vote. Another place, more open with fewer hanging sites is at / near the rock bridge. A point in it's favor, it is a very short hike in on a partially paved trail. And access to water will be MUCH easier!



*MY description! You may find it easier or harder than I do.

[bloomgorge]

i know there are a couple of us from michigan that were planning on making the RRG, option three would add 2 more hours for a B*tch of a drive already. any chance on bring it a little north or maybe hoosier?