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

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

I shall be there!

- MacEntyre

Permit info is available on this pamplet's second page

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hawk-eye

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

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!

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.

Tinker, I'm really going to try and pull this off. I'll be bending HB's ear in the morning. Blocking off the time won't be easy. I must pray to the Gorge Gods. I've already loaded the trail/track points into my GPS :)

Oh boy, it's starting already - whippee doo http://www.smileyarena.net/download.aspx?id=3653

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Running Feather

Tinker, I'm really going to try and pull this off. I'll be bending HB's ear in the morning. Blocking off the time won't be easy. I must pray to the Gorge Gods. I've already loaded the trail/track points into my GPS :)

---

It would be great to see you guys again. Maybe with all this advance notice you can make it work.


Jerry