Tennessee Cookoff

“I will make sure I send detailed directions to anyone who needs them.. you guys know the email addy.. :)

It's not hard to find.. but you will swear you are in the middle of nowhere.”

“WD,
Yea I'm camping Sat. night with everyone else. I just want to make some kind of hike and camp Friday night as well.”

“Coolness.”

“Leatherneck,

You have an e-mail coming.”

“I will try to get detailed directions posted on here by Monday.”

“TownDawg, can you send me more information on the where and when (particularly the where). The more I think about this event, the more it sounds like -- how does gojo put it? Oh yeah -- some gooooood times! :-)

My email addy is listed on my profile. Thanks!”

“check your email bobk..

:)”

“To reach Foster Falls Recreation Area, take I-24 from Nashville to exit 134. Follow US 64 east 7 miles to Tracy City. From Tracy City take US 41 south for 8 miles to reach Foster Falls, which will be on your right.”

“I don't know if we have any CLIMBERS in the crowd.. but.. >>

Rock Climbing at Foster Falls occurs on the cliffs which line the northernmost side of the gorge cut by the "Little Gizzard Creek". Climbing at Foster Falls is characterized by leading / top-roping bolted "sport" routes on sandstone overhangs, aretes, cracks, roofs, and faces. There is no low-angle climbing. Routes are typically vertical or over-hanging, blocky with roofs, averaging about 60 feet in height. There are some excellent thin face climbs and aretes, routes are often strenuous. There is no access to the top of the climbs, you must lead all routes to rig top-ropes. I know of no bouldering. There are a handful of fine traditionally lead routes, but if you want trad routes, go to T-Wall. Foster Falls has some of the best sport climbing in the Southeast.

Foster Falls has little to offer new climbers as most routes are strenuous and must be led to set up top ropes. There are a handful of 5.8's, some excellent 5.9's, but the area really favors 5.10+ climbs. This places a lot of pressure on the Rocket Slab with it's 2 easy routes, expect congestion here.”

“This seventeen mile one-way trail features cascading streams, numerous waterfalls, panoramic overlooks, extremely rocky gorges, gentle slopes and lush woodlands. This trail is one of the most diverse and beautiful in the state and has been ranked as one of the top twenty-five backpacking trails in the U. S. by Backpacker magazine. There are four primitive campgrounds along the trail.

There are two entrances to Fiery Gizzard. The north entrance is from the Grundy Forest State Natural Area and is about three miles from the South Cumberland Visitor Center. The south entrance is eleven and one-half miles from the Visitor Center and is accessed via U. S. Highway 41 or State Route 150. The entrance is within the TVA managed Foster Falls area.”

“Hope some of that helps.. :)”

“Towndawg,

What about permits? Are they required?”

“I will plan on grabbing several when I come in so we will be covered, but the permits are at the trailhead.

One goes inside your car.. one goes in the box.. one goes to the campsite.. if I remember right..”

“Some updates.. if you come in Friday... the TVA camp at Foster Falls is not open.. your choices are to either walk in 3 miles to Small Wilds.. or go over to the nearby RV hookup place.. and hang with us Friday night.. (hot showers.. oOOoo.. )

Deb is coming.. she says.. so I agreeed to drag in a friend's popup trailer for Friday night.. so she could get cleaned up before Saturday..

:)”

“On Saturday... the challenge cookoff will commence about dinnertime of course.. but I am hoping we can get started about 4.. so it wont be all that dark...

Saturday morning..

Walkingdude and I are doing the 13 miler thruhike.. for SURE.. but will leave pretty early.. I bet we hit the trail close to 8am.

This starts from the Grundy Forest side.. NOT the Foster Falls side..


If you want a shorter hike.. you can do the 9 mile loop trail out to Raven's point and back.. it starts at 10am.. a buddy of mine (Richard Horvath) will lead it.

If you are into climbing.. also at 10.. another buddy of mine (Raymond Bartlett) is gonna get some climbing training to anyone who wants it.. or you guys can all go scale some of the wall at the Foster Falls side.. lots of 5.9, 5.10 stuff.. :)

The main thing, is HOWVER you spend your morning.. be at Small Wilds campsite (3 miles from the Foster Falls side).. about 4pm.”

“if YOU want to do one thing.. and your S/o or your kids want to do something else.. I got a good friend leading the 3 mile hike into Small Wilds on Saturday morning.. as a beginner's hike.. so they can get in camp.. and hang out until the rest of all of us get there..

Again.. Friday night.. I am gonna carcamp.. well maybe.. but it looks like I will if Deb still agrees to come. (getting her out in the woods on SAT will be a hoot.. she HATES this stuff.)”

“I will reserve us a bunch of RV and tent sites close together Friday night.. if most of you guys want to do a 'mixer' there.. ?”

“So the bottom line is.. lots of fun for anyone..

And I am surprised what how quickly the idea of CHALLENGING each other to being excellent cooks is getting some local attention here in TN.. this thing might go radio.”

“Anyways.. enough of me sounding like a troll.. I hope you guys all get to come.. it seems like it is gonna be a huge time..”

“I'm ready to walk.”

“I sent you an e-mail Towndawg...”

“Towndawg, missed your call Friday, sorry. I am interested in the 9 mile loop on Sat. Can you please put me in touch with your friend?

Tx”

“My plans are to arrive noonish on the Friday before. Have not decided where I want to camp yet.”

“TXWoodswoman -- No problem... when will you be arriving.. do we need to pick you up at the airport?

Joshman -- thanks.. just read it!

Leatherneck -- Sounds great.. I think bpbaby is getting in early also.”

“TD, I am back from TX, (trip report in a day or so when I catch up here in the office). How many are in for this? I had not thought of bringing my kids, but in reading the thread, I might just do that and make the three mile excursion. In any event, I am in barring a major change in plans here in the office.”

“I am trying to make it where anyone and everyone will enjoy the trip..

Friday.. since I talked wife into going.. I am going to carcamp.. I will be here:

Laurel Trails Campground
Monteagle, TN
931.924.2738

Some folks will go straight into Small Wilds, and that's fine also.

The TVA campground at the trailhead is closed, however. We can park there, but can't camp there.

If you want to primitive camp? Small Wilds. (3 miles from trailhead)

If you want to car camp? Laurel Trails Campground. (6 miles from trailhead)

Saturday morning, you can sleep, read, hike or rock climb.

Saturday afternoon, I am going to do my best to either WIN, or at least make a memorable effort.”

“TD, unless I change my mind, I am bringing my son and daughter and will car camp at Laurel Trails. With an event like this, how can you lose?”

“chili36: Great!!.. maybe we could come up with an alliance?

*lol*

Hey, it works on TV.”

“LOL, well at least to hear us tell it, we don't have any competition anyway.”

“Chili36: Not true.. I have some heavy hitters showing interest on other fronts.. REI, BRMS.. hehe.. it could be a smorgasboard..”

“Sounds like the judges are the ones to be envied.”