return from south cumberlands

“On Dec. 26th at 1:30pm I started from the Stone Door parking area. Following the Stone Door trail out to the Door I then went down though the Door using the Big Creek Gulf trail. After a while I came to the junction of Big Creek Gulf and Connector trails. I went to the left following the Connector trail, after a few miles I went off trail crossing several full creeks around to the opening of the gulf that leads up to Hobb's cabin. Water was high at that point, right leg took on too much water. Rejoined Connector trail at base of Gulf and started long uphill walk to Hobb's. Walked last 30 minutes in dark. Arrived at Hobb's around 5:30pm. Cabin was full. I was not planning on using it anyway's. There were three different groups using the cabin. They were nice people, college kids back home for the holiday's. They let me dry my foot and socks by the fireplace. I do carry spares just for these reasons. I stayed with them till bedtime. Went out to campsite and slept good. Temps were in the low teens for that night. Got up around 7:00 am and had breakfest. The groups in cabin were gone around noon. Had the place to myself during the day. I went down to creek behind cabin and made a log and leaf dam to make better area to catch water. This worked fine. Around 3:00pm a group from Murfreesboro showed up. Near dark the ranger came in and check us out and left. I went back to the campsite and built a big fire, as there is lots of trees down in this area. I had a huge fire going if you know what I mean. Anyways the night went by quickly and not as cold either.I visited the people in the cabin for a while, then went back to campsite and to bed. Left out early Saturday morning using the Connector trail somewhat and bushwacking the rest. Arrived back home safely. Rested up Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Monday morning decided to go back. This time with four of my little waterpups. We made our base camp at the Stone Door area Monday afternoon. After setting up camp we set out to the Stone Door to do some rock climbing. After climbing for a few hours we return to camp and cooked our meals. We had a nice fire also. As it got dark the girls decided it was time to play some games. We played hide in seek in the dark with everbody using a light. This worked well as we had the camp-site to our selves. After this we went inside the girls tent to play a game called skip-bo. We played this for a while and then I quit. I went back outside to set up my sleeping arrangements under the sky. The girls tent looked like a big beacon as they all had there lights on telling scary stories. After we woke up the next day, and had breakfest we broke camp and went back out to the Door and climbed for a couple more hours. We headed home after this. On the way home I asked them if they were up to climbing a few water falls the next day. And as I expected they all said yes. So today we headed out to Short Springs Natural Area and did the hike out to the Bluff and down. At this point we turn left and go in the creek for the quarter mile hike up steam to the first water falls. Yes we are getting wet but how else are you going to make memories. We tackle the first water fall and decide to split up, and climb to the top. All make it ok on this one. After reaching the top we keep heading up stream to the next falls. This one is not far but you still have to stay in the creek to reach it. Upon reaching the next falls we decide to stick together on this climb. Using team work we all climb safely to the top and on to the exit point. After reaching the exit point we have about a 3/4 mile hike back to the trailhead. Our hiking shoes are drying out now. We are hoping for some colder weather for our next outings. They said something about hunting icicles hanging from water falls. Sounds cool to me.”

“I'm suprised you didn't stay in Hobbs cabin. I've stayed in there before with over 10 of us in it. I recon your not into shelter life huh?”

“Where do you live waterdog?”

“Sounds like a good hike, waterdog. Savage Gulf is one of my favorite places.”

“Walkindude, Just depends on the crowd. Tullahoma.”

“Are you in the TTA Tullahoma Chapter by any chance?”

“We'll be in that area on that 17th of this month.

Great trip report..

Did you go straight on the connector trail when it actually goes down?”

“Sounds like a great time. All but getting the feet wet bit, that is :-) How old are your water pups? They sound like great adventurers.”

“sounds like a cool place. any pics?”

“Stratdewd
You gotta come over here and do Savage Gulg sometime. It is a Very beautiful place! It's one of my favorite places to backpack.

Send me your address and I'll send you a map.”

“My girls are as follows, nine years old, twins at seven years old, and one at five years old.”