if you join us I'll carry in a steak just for you.
BW, would be good for all of us if you show up.
Def. follow that thread and let us know-there will be issues with the size of our group and the authorities there unless it's really cold or snowy, the rangers there don't come out when it's inclement.
Def sounds interesting. I might be up for this one as I had to miss the BSF one. Also the weekend before you all went to BSF my girlfriend and I went for a short overnighter at Savage Gulf and hiked in from the Stone Door ranger station to the Saw Mill camp site. Let me say its a pretty rough trail between those two points. I have to say my ankles were killing me. You couldn't take a flat step anywhere. The trail was super rocky and to top it off was totally covered in leaves! But it was fun. We did have a ranger stop in and say hi that night and he didn't seem to be bothered by our hammocks at all.
Hey Robert, this sounds like one that I would love to attend. I'll follow the thread to see how the group(s) size(s) begin to pan out.
I can't make it to the Ranger Station today, but I should be able to gather intel by Friday.
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Monteagle, TN between exits 134&135 on I-24. Can't confirm the quality but I know a buffet there. A quality one in McMinville by the Lowes if you choose to come I-40 through Cookeville and Sparta. That may be the best route if going to the Savage Gulf. If we do the Fiery Gizzard I'd say try the one on Monteagle.
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Okay guys and gals...here is the skinny!
I chatted with the rangers at the station on the mountain. He said the ranger down at the Gulf is a little more of a stickler for the rules, but if we follow LNT principles we will have no problesm at all. Worst case scenario is take up a few campsites based on the total number that commits.
There is a grueler marathon in the park on Saturday the 16th of March, and there will be a lot of activity on the trail, and we may have to do quite a bit of stepping aside. I suggest the weekends of 2nd or 9th of March. We could do a Thurs - Sun or a Fri - Mon scenario. (Dates: Thursday 28 Feb - Sunday 3 March, Friday 1 March - Monday 4 March, Thursday 7 March - Sunday 10 March or Friday 8 March - Monday 11 March.
I'm willing to help organize, but it would have to be one of those weekends. I can do the 16th, but I advise against that. I can't do the 23rd due to spring break or the 30th due to Easter. So if you want me to help organize it'll be one of those 4 options.
I have a suggestion of a base camp at Savage Ranger station for those who come in the first night.
A hike up the Savage Day Loop to the North Rim Trail to the Hobbs Cabin Site (around 9 miles).
Day 2 of hiking, down into the gulf to Saw Mill and back up out of it to the Stage Road Campsite. Less miles (4-5), but more strenuous going in and out of the gulf.
Day 3 hike back to the trailhead on the South Rim (6-7 miles) and off to a Chinese Buffet!!!
----oh yeah. Base camp has plenty of sites to include a group site that would cover 40 ppl, Hobbs has 8 sites + the cabin. I don't hang inside, but I've seen it done, and Stage Road has 10 sites!!!
Last edited by ftroop94; 11-29-2012 at 14:59. Reason: SITES AT EACH CAMP
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Sounds good to me. So lets pick a date and do it.
This option would allow hangers to join in on Saturday night at Stage Coach if they could not make Friday night.
I'll move it to the SE Forum with a poll!
Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
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