Dicks Creek to Rainbow Springs Campgroun d

“Yeah, that's pretty close. I don't have my AT guide with me but I'm thinking it's around 48 - 12 miles per day. If we get up and going on Sunday we can cover a good amount of miles by Noon.

Prowler, if you want to save some time then you might want to park at the Backcountry parking lot and let either PapaJohn or I drive you to Unicoi Gap. That way you can leave for home as soon as we hit the parking lot on Sunday. PapaJohn and I are going to meet there EARLY Thursday morning. I think PapaJohn will be sleeping in his white Astro Van there on Wednesday night - I might do the same in my old maroon Dodge minivan. Either way, you can leave your truck there so you can make a quick get away on Sunday.
What cha think?”

“ok then i'll sleep in my red dodge truck that night then!

the earlier i leave the better.”

“MDS do you plan on shelters or you bringing a tent??”

“I'll be using my ID Sil Shelter. I've used it on 5 trips so far and like it for cold weather - only 14oz + stakes.

I'm planning on staying clear of the shelters, lots of thru-hikers will be on the trail. Towndawg wants a picture of a 2-story shelter so we'll be nosey and look around - take a few pics.”

“cool ! I guess Ill bring by Bivy!”

“Man is the wheather looking good or what!”

“Suppose to be 70F here in North AL this weekend!!”

“Well, looks like good news and bad news. The temps are creeping up with lows in the 40's, cut it's gonna rain Saturday and Sunday. Too bad it won't be like today. Clear and a little warm. Still looking forward to the trip and glad it's looking warmer.”

“we will have some weather.

I have my gear selected and ready to pack and unless there is a drastic change in the forecast I am all set to go.

If there is anyone who wants to park their cars at the end of the hike and ride with me (or MDS) to Unicoi Gap, let me know. I will be spending the night there on Wednesday. White Astro van with 'bama plates.

Total mileage form Unicoi to 53.2 according to Wingfoot.

Might want to bring some extra Platypus containers as there are some stretches where we won't cross water for up to 6 miles.

Should be a great time once we get past Day 1 (groan)!!!

PJ”

“I think I'm going to join you if you don't mind. I would have to come in on Thurs. night, so I might hike to Deep Gap from Dick's Creek, and just back track with you guys on Fri morning. Is the trip still the same? Dick's Creek to Rainbow Springs? Look forward to seeing you then.”

“yup, your welcome on any of our trips! Im suppost to leave Wens. to start Thurs. morning, but I may start Fri. morning, I just got home from 25-28 miles , something like that. Im a little beat, but most likely willl still make it.”

“Just let me know. I can meet you guys Thurs. night or Fri morning, whichever is good with you.”

“You could hike south on the trail Thursday and hook up with us. We should be somewhere near the Deep Gap shelter (if we can make it over Kelly Knob so late in the day). Anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to hike that little gem is in for a real treat!!!

PJ”

“MDS, we are going to have to put a vehicle at a bail out point just incase! a good idea would be half way!”

“Prowler, why?”

“Hey Sherpa, you can get a trip description at the following URL.

http://www.mdshiker.com/tt.htm

(cut and paste)


PapaJohn, I'm driving to GA Wednesday night after work and I'll see you at the Backcountry parking lot. (Hopefully Prowler too!)

Avg. 13 miles per day will be strenuous, but I've been getting physically prepared. I hope everyone is fired up!”

“Not a bad idea Prowler.”

“I was just at the College Basketball thread and now it all makes sense. Prowler, like myself, has just realized that we're gonna miss the second round games for our teams. I'm sure he is as crushed as I am.

The rain is sounding ominous.”

“?? radio ?? nah!”

“Ya, you always should have a bail out spot where just in case situations. I just arrived back from a 25 miler last night so im feelin it, but ready and pumped for this one!

we could drop a vehicle on our way to Unicoi.
any suggestions on a vehicle position??”

“Deep Gap in NC is about the only place where you can park a vehicle for a halfway point., better check and make sure you can get in there first, they usually have that area closed until sometime this month. MDS thanks for the trip info.”

“I'm excited as well, just not sure how to pack. Accuweather calls for lows around 40, but that's for a town at 2400'. Don't know how it'll be above 4000'”

“ya, SAme here!”

“Here in Huntsville, we have a mountain that rises 1000' above the surrounding plain. Typically, it's 5-10 degrees F colder up there than it is in Huntsville. I'd SWAG it at around 10-15F colder for you guys.”

“elevation gain - just ran a little spreadsheet on the 3 day section that we're doing. Total mileage on AT is 33.5 + 2 miles to vehicles. Total elevation gain is 6702' and total loss is 5227'. If we average 2 mph + 1hr/1000' and 2 hrs per day to rest we'll have about 35 hrs of hiking over Fri-Sun. Sunlight hours will be 9am-6:30pm on Fri = 9.5+11+11 = 31 hours. Sunrise and Sunset are at 6:30. I'm allowing 11 hrs per day to allow time to break camp. This means that we have 4 more hours of hiking than sunlight. We'll have to do a combination of less than 2 hours rest(eating) per day as well as pick up the pace a little. Sounds doable, but we'll have to hustle.

Can you do the hustle?”

“Im cool! Just as long as we stay hydrated we'll be fine.”

“I'd have to ride a dirtbike to keep up with you guys....”

“thats definetly NOT happening!”

“About the best plan to bail out would be to jump off at Deep Gap and hike the Kimsey Creek Trail down to the backcountry parking lot. It is an easy hike and takes about 3 hours. Can't say if the road up to Deep Gap would be open as yet. Also, if nobody bails out at that point then we have to retrieve another vehicle.

PJ”

“What's not happening...the mileage or the dirt bike?”

“Once you get into NC and up Sharp Top, the rest of the hiking is quite easy and going from Dick's Creek to Standing Indian (17 miles) Shelter is done all the time. I did it in 2000 with Bronchitis!”

“According to the Nantahala Hiking Club website, those roads should be open March 15. You guys may out of luck on getting a car to Deep Gap NC.

Just so no one's confused, I'm not coming on this trip. I just wish I could.”

“MDSHiker used to do 10k's and marathons. I bet he'd carry you in a pinch bitpusher. Plus, you have that whole programmers brotherhood, thing going for you!”

“the dirtbike!”

“The toughest day of the 4 day trip will be Day 1. Doing Kelly Knob at the end of the day is going to be very hard. Most people stop at Addis Gap and do Kelly Knob in the morning. Even then it is tough.

The 2nd day will have a few tough spots and only one really bad one, that is Sharp Top, the "welcome to NC climb". After that you are going to cruise until you reach Albert Mtn on Sunday.

If we can get close to Deep Gap Shelter on Day 1 then we will be in great shape to finish up kind of early on Sunday (mid-afternoon).”

“Wahoo!

I'm ready!”

“He'd have to carry me alright, carry my long-dead carcass out of the woods. I suppose you could leave me to the bears. Once I'm dead I don't care.

lol....


I hope you guys have a good time.”

“Prowler its me anthony i'm going with wiliking but i want to get some info from you for this trip.where the cars will be exactly where we're meeting and time .”

“Smoke, Dude im leaving Wens. to start Thurs. morning. Ill park w/ the others at the end NC Hot Springs and then just drive to the trail head in the morning. You guys should be parking at shoot man I forget and its to early to look it up. It s in this thread some where!! Just look at ALL and read above youll find it!!”

“Josh are you still parking @ Dick's Creek and backtracking to Deep Gap? If you are what time are you going to get to Dick's Creek on Thurs.?”

“We are parking at Standing Indian Campground, back country parking lot.

From Franklin, NC - drive West on US 64 for 9 miles. Turn Left onto Old US 64 at sign for Standing Indian Campground. Drive 2 miles to Wallace Gap and turn Right onto USFS 67 for about 1 mile to a fork in the road. Take the Left fork to the Backcountry Parking Lot.

If you are leaving a car there be there early! Once we leave there it is a fairly long drive back to Unicoi Gap and we need to get there as early as possible.

You can leave your car at Unicoi and one of us will shuttle you back on Sunday.”

“I'm parking @ Dick's Creek, I'm meeting you guys on Thurs. night @ Deep Gap. I thought someone else was doing the same. Can you guys give me a lift back to Dick's Creek Gap?”

“Sherpa - We'll give you a lift - no problem. Looking forward to meeting up Thursday night.”

“thanks, looking forward to it as well.”

“im leaving around 1 on thurs, putting me at the parking lot around 9 or 10 thurs night. i might jsut hang out around the lot and meet up fri morning.”

“i just talked to prowler, he said i should get there in 6 hrs but i cant drive like he does. if you don't see me thurs night you'll find me in or around the parking lot. is there a place to sleep not too far from the lot, does anyone know, in case it is late when i get down there.”

“Josh,

There is a campsite just south on the trail. Plenty of water around as well. We will see you on Friday!”

“Prowler & Papa John ---

I'm leaving Huntsville after work tomorrow so I'll be getting to the parking lot LATE!! I'm gonna have dinner with the family before I leave.”

“you lucky dog!!!

im leaving first thing in the morning!”

“hey dayhiker you still bringing Buscuits??”