Packin' on Memorial Day weekend

“Its been a while since I packed, and my G/F never has. I was thinking of doing a 2 day packing trip on Memorial day weekend in the N. Ga mountains (Unicoi Gap, Panther Creek/Tallulah Falls, etc).

My question is - is it so crowded that its miserable to pack. Few campsites, crowded trails, etc?
I guess this applies to anywhere, not just N Ga.

Second, if you are from N. Ga - know of any decent easy/moderate backpacking trips. We both have slacked off on working out - so we re a little soft around the edges.”

“I'm not sure about the first ? One suggestion that is actually in NC is from Deep Gap to Standing Indian Campground. There is a trail that connects the two called something like Kinnsey Trail. This is maybe 45-60 minutes from Helen, GA. On an AT trip in March we took this trail as a shortcut to our parked vehicles at Standing Indian when the trip was cut short. You could park at Standing Indian, take this trail, and make a large loop. Standing Indian campground has a website and could provide more specific info. The Kinnsey? trail was along a stream the whole way and was very pretty. Some locals may have more accurate info than my recollections.”

“That is a very good hike. DO NOT hike from Standing Indian campground to the top of Standing Indian mountain on the Lower Ridge Trail. Hike Kimsey Creek to Deep Gap and take the AT to the top of Standing Indian, then take Lower Ridge Trail down. It's a beautiful hike. You can also park @ Deep Gap and hike it the same way. There is a beautiful campsite about halfway up Kimsey Creek. It's in a meadow and it's great star gazing. Call the Wayah Ranger District in Franklin, NC @ (828) 524- 6441 for a map, or you can use the AT map for the Southern Nantahala part of the trail in NC. total trip is around 10.5 miles for the loop.”

“The perception is that California's Wilderness areas and parks are overcrowded but I've never had any difficulty finding solitude on summer holiday weekends (or spring and fall too). Last weekend in crowded Yosemite I did a 4 day trip in which the first 3 days I saw absolutely no one. I've backpacked the Sierras and the northern range mountains in years past during July 4th or Memorial Day weekends and not seen a soul. Last year in Hoover Wilderness (north border of Yosemite) we did a 5 day backpacking trip and other than 1 day hiker the 1st day we didn't run into anyone until the last few miles to the trailhead on the way out. This also goes for car camping too, I can find available and free campsites anytime of the year in the crowded Sierra.”

“Good job, sherpa!!”

“Thanks for covering me Sherpa, I knew you'd know the names. How's Hotlanta treating you?”

“Well, I called the Forestry Service number you gave me and am awaiting a map.

However, is this 10.5 mile loop strenuous? What would you rate it?

Thanks.”

“From Standing Indain campground to Deep Gap is easy. From Deep Gap to Standing Indian Mtn would probably been moderate to strenuous, I have not hiked this section. From the Mtn back down would likely be easy.”

“It's treating me well dayhiker, how's it going with you? Towndawg, looking forward to seeing you on Memorial Day weekend. From Deep Gap to Standing Indian is not a very bad climb on the AT. Lower Ridge down to Standing Indian is very steep downhill, as I said before you would not want to climb that part. Just park @ Deep Gap, and hike up Standing Indian. You are only about 1.5 miles to the shelter and about 2.5 miles from the summit of Standing Indian. It's a great hike. My wife rates it a moderate route, and she did it when she was 4 1/2 months pregnant. dayhiker let me know when you want to go on a hike.”

“Sherpa, send me an email to the address on my profile so I'll have yours. At the last trip everyone said the goodbyes so quick we didn't get to exchange addresses like you had suggested.”