Panther Creek Ga (My 2nd solo)

**bchboy1206** · 07-13-2011, 21:33

Hi guys, Thanks to all the great info everyone has contributed here and a little trial and error my second solo outing was nothing short of great!!! It was at Panther Creek Trail just north of Turnerville Ga.

I decided to make this trip on a weekday in hopes to avoid other people since it is highly used on the weekends. I pulled into the parking area followed by 8 cars full of summer camp workers...

My heart sank but after talking with them they said they were only going halfway in. Yay, so in a rush to "Hike my own hike" I started out at a fast pace and about a half mile in my heels got hot, real hot! In my haste to get out there fast I didn't lace my boots properly but not to let that hinder me, I continued on. About a mile later my feet were aching and I realized I dropped my shirt along the trail

I stopped, retied my shoes and backtracked to find my shirt. Luckily the group was only about a 1/2 mile behind me and they had picked it up my shirt. I took the shirt and off I went, I wish I had some trail magic to leave them but I packed light...

The trail was well marked and clear. The forest floor for most of the trail was covered with ferns until it gave way to the rugged rock sections. This required walking under huge rock outcroppings and some tricky rock ledges that could end in a deadly fall. I wanted to take pics but I was racing sunset on the way in and a thunderstorm on the way out....

I finally arrived at the falls, the pack and boots came off and in the water I went, ahhhh!!! It felt great and I was alone!!!

After 10 minutes of soaking my feet and swimming around I set up the WBBB and SF tarp. It went up very easily and looked great. I love using snake skins on the tarp, you can hang the tarp and deploy it only when needed. I also had the opportunity to use "Knot Bones" with 1.75 mm Zing It, it was fast easy and held all night without needing re-adjustment. I also tested out the Alite Butterfly chair which packs small, light weight and super comfortable. Only warning is that you really need level ground or you will feel like your tipping over. Lastly for dinner, I had my favorite dehydrated meal to date, Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with Noodles, simply awesome....

I was very comfortable in the Warbonnet but I work nights so my body was not ready for bed no matter how comfortable I was. I even had my Exped air pillow which I love but still no sleep. Next time, some unisom or benadryl will be in the pack... I am taking a couple days off work until I can put on shoes but in a nut shell it was so worth it!!!

Thanks for letting me share this and thanks for all the help everyone has given me.

JimT

WBBB set up with SF in snakeskins

View from the Blackbird

Tarp deployed in porch mode

The moon even came out to keep me company

I'm keeping the feet pic as a thumbnail for those who would rather not see!

**Loneoak** · 07-13-2011, 21:51

sounds like a good trip indeed. thanks for the pics

**peanuts** · 07-13-2011, 22:34

love the place, but not in the summer heat and humidity.....glad you had a great trip despite your blisters...ouch

**NewtonGT** · 07-14-2011, 00:50

nice pictures . loving the hammock love from the south east!

**cavediver256** · 07-14-2011, 08:15

Thanks for the report!!!!! Sounds like you had fun, and it sounds like I have another GA trail to add to my "must hike" list.

**raiffnuke** · 07-14-2011, 08:16

Nice pictures. Thanks for the report!

**dragon360** · 07-14-2011, 08:27

Beautiful location to settle in for the night!

**Pipsissewa** · 07-14-2011, 08:44

Great report! Thanks! That view from the Warbonnet is EYE POPPING!!

Definitely worth going back there. Now that you know where it is and all, it'll be even more enjoyable the next time and the next time, and the next time...

Sorry about the blisters! OUCH!

**pellet gun** · 07-14-2011, 09:06

awesome pics! I'm in GA as well, may try and find your falls!!...I always take mole-skin for those pop-up blisters, ever tried it??

KP · 07-14-2011, 11:10

Hey congratulations on your second solo and thank you for sharing your report. That's a great spot to camp but you're right about it being crowded on the weekends with day hikers. Me and a group of folks from the Atlanta Outdoor Club did an overnighter there last summer. The falls are extremely loud so that may have had something to do with not being able to sleep. I know that I too had a hard time getting to sleep because of it.
Since you're getting comfortable with going solo and you are close to Blue Ridge you should try the Panther Creek Trail up in the Cohutta's to the "real" Panther Creek Falls. The quickest way to the falls is take East Cowpen Trail to Panther Creek Trail. Like the one that you did it's only a little over 3 miles one way. Getting to the falls is an easy hike but coming back is totally strenuous for around a half mile or so as you hike up Panther Creek Trail so be prepared for it. If you look at my avatar that is a picture of me in front of the Panther Creek Trail sign after I had hiked up the mountain. I know that it doesn't look like it kicked my butt, but that is only because once you get past the hard strenuous part it's basically just a moderate hike from that point on. Be aware that there are no blazes to follow but the sign at the trail intersection will tell you where Panther Creek Trail is. Oh and if you do stay the night in the Cohutta Wilderness be sure to hang all of your smellables. Lots of black bear and lots of scat along the way to remind you of it.

Thanks again for sharing!! Great pictures. I hope that your feet heal fast.

KP