smokies trip labor day weekend-questions

“what is going to be done about shuttles? set them up friday evening or saturday morning? i don't mind taking my car to the other end. it will fit me and 4 others with gear.

another question:

if i were to park at big creek and hike over to cosby on friday, will somebody give me a ride back to my vehicle friday afternoon or evening?”

“also, on saturday, is anyone else thinking about maybe taking the snake den ridge trail, madron bald trail and then east on the gabe's mountain trail to get to camp 34 saturday night? it would be about 12 miles versus about 5. much more elevation gain and lost too so there would be a good bit more exertion required.”

“baume66, it will be good to see you again.
I don't know about the shuttles yet but I can give you a ride back to Big Creek Friday.
I know we are going to the Front Porch Friday night so we can do it before or after that. I probably won't be there till 7 or 8 Friday night. It just depends on what time I get away Friday.”

“I have been down Snake Den Ridge Trail and decided I didn't want to go up it...lol”

“3000' up in 4.5 miles, 3000' down in 6 miles and 800' up for the last 1.5 miles.”

“It is just like Mt. Fuji: A wise man climbs it once. A fool climbs it again.

If I am able to return to GSMP i time, I could give you a ride to Big Creek on Friday afternoon.”

“we can drop you off at your car after if you need that...we can shuttle also..holds 3 in the back, and has a bed for gear/people.”

“My vote would to arrange shuttles on Friday night. Saves us time Saturday morning.

Say, Treebait and I know of a great little English pub called the Fox and Parrot in the Gatlinburg arts and crafts loop area.

Anyone for a cold one and some fish and chips after the hike?"”

“yes”

“Fish and chips post hike sounds great! I figure we can set up the shuttles either Friday or Sat. depending on who all is there. As to the route to our campsite for Saturday, feel free to do whatever you want. I am keeping to the set plan because there are some new folks coming that I will be hiking with. The weather forecast is calling for 30-40% chance of T-Storms the whole weekend, so don't forget your raingear.”

“We can use our car for a shuttle. It is a BIGASS Range Rover with roof rack. we can shuttle 5-6 with gear back comfortably.

I'll take the 12 mile route with you Sat.”

“What time are you all going to the Front Porch Friday? I am going to meet you all there, and am staying in the Cosby Camground. However, I am hiking Lower Mt. Cammerer trail instead and ending up in Cataloochee Valley on Sunday at noon. I have a shuttle picking me up at noon there. Anyone is welcome to split off with me, but the Gabes/Snakeden trails are awesome! I have done that route already, which is why I am doing different trails.”

“Probably around 8 p.m.”

“Cool! I will be there with a cooler full of beer. They don't serve beer there, but you can bring your own! They gots ribs too! Great place! The owners are very sweet people!! We went there on the TT Leconte Extravaganza a few years ago. Usually they have bluegrass Sat. night, and open mic on Sunday. Not sure about Friday night! See you all then!!!!! YIPPPEEEE!”

“i like to drink other peoples beer.”

“can't drink....grrrrrr”

“I'm back from Minnesota, Iowa and Chicago. Currently at the Niceville Library. First library that has charged me(non-library card holder) for using a computer($2).

I'll be bp-ing over the next two nights, but will be at Cosby CG sometime Friday. Y voy a comer a "The Front Porch" in la noche de viernes. (I'll be at The Front Porch for dinner on Friday night.)

Looking forward to seeing all of you.

Paul”

“We'll see you there Nowslimmer! We're hoping to roll in to Cosby around 3 pm.”

“hey treebait, could you email me the campground info?

mccracdb_1@msn.com

thanks much. i don't know if i'll have hiked over to there by 3 or not.”

“I would appreciate it if you would stop at the Creekside Market in Cosby and tell "Bill" hello from "Paul from Florida(me)." If you buy anything, like gas or a candy bar, cup of coffee, that would be great, too. It is located around the bend just north of the Parkway on route 32.

Bill and his wife, Alice, used to operate "Cook and Sons Campground and Motel," now the "Fox Den" or something like that, just outside the Cosby Park Entrance. He used to drive me to and from trailheads, to shopping, to bus stops, etc., when I needed help. And he would never take a penny for it.

I love Bill and Alice. Your stopping there would help me to express my love and appreciation. Thanks.
Paul”

“clear”

“Will do, NS! I'll send you the info, Baume!”

“Will do, Nowslimmer. I am leaving work early on Friday and will be out there late afternoon at the Cosby Campground. Can't wait to see you again!

Baume, I drink Southpaw. It's cheap, and you can drink lots of it.

Can't wait to see y'all!!!!”

“24 hours and i'll be on my way. better get packing.”

“You and I both.”

“hey baume 66, if you do the shortest, easiest walk from big creek over to cosby, it'll run about 10 miles and 4-6 hours...the first 5 are on a wide old road past a swimming hole or three up along the big creek, (2nd largest stream in gsmnp) and then an hour up to low gap and an hour + down to the cosby campground...you'll have to walk down thru the back loop to get over to the group camp. The drive between the two takes an hour, mebbe less, one way, but is beautiful, esp if you go up over davenport gap and down...enjoy!
I live pretty closeby and would love to shake and howdy w/y'uns, perhaps friday nite at the front porch or the group camp. What time is dinner? I'd tag along the hike but had already planned a trip up to mt mitchell area which hits saturday am.”

“Are we all gonna hook up at the campsite before the restaurant? I know the boss & I will be there well before 8:00.
Does anyone smoke cigars? I got a few sticks from a convention at the hotel. I'd rather smoke them with company.”

“I'll be going to the campsite first to set up before going to the Front Porch. Debbie and Donna will be riding with me.

Yes, I smoke cigars!”

“thanks for the info tombonehikes. that is the route i was planning on. i also have been contemplating parking at cosby and hiking up low gap to the AT and then on up to mt. cammerer. that would save having to have a ride back to my car friday afternoon. plus i could do it with day pack instead of all my gear. guess i could do big creek and over with a day pack also but that would mean going to my car for sure on friday afternoon/evening.”

“one of my favorite dayhikes over there at bigcreek is to go up the baxter creek trail to mt sterling; you could do that w/a daypack and not have to worry about retrieving the car...”

“is there anywhere in that area i can park and sleep in my car tonight if i get there around 1 a.m.?”

“call Mountain Mamas and see if she will let you do that in her parking lot when you arrive at 1 am. She caters to thru-hikers and backpackers. I hear she charges people to park their cars at her place if they are going on long hikes. Good greasy food in her little restaurant too. She is right outside of the Big Creek park entrance. You pass Mountain Mamas if you are going to the Big Creek Ranger station.

Yeah, Baxter trail is awesome up to Mt. Sterling. One of my faves too!

Low Gap is nice, but you'll work up a sweat! LOL!”

“I may just drive to the Front Porch if I get there around 8 pm and hope you guys are there.”

“We should be there by then. :)”

“nothing like a Mountain Mama's greasy hamburger and fries when you come off the trail...yum”

“45 minutes and i'm outta here. see you folks in the hills.”

“Rain is in the forecast the entire weekend. everyone come prepared!”

“Rain in the forecast? Weather,com listed 30 % chances for the weekend. I can live with that.”

“We're out of here as soon as I can get Laurel over to camp Grandma!

WooHoo!

That statment was for the trip, NOT leaving Laurel, who is just incredible.”

“Pleased save space for me at the group site #2. I hope to be there by 7 p.m. I have firewood.

Nissan, between the airport and Knoxville, is going to start working on the car at 2:30 p.m. A radiator hose broke, a headlight is out, etc.”

“We have reservations at 8:00 p.m. for the Front Porch. I called this morning and set that up.

Leaving in a few minutes and looking foward to seeing ya'll.”

“We'll save Nowslimmer a spot because he has firewood. I'll bring the firewater.”

“leaving now heading to HSV...334-428-3021 currahee, and whoever else call me so i'll have your cell #, if it doesn't pick up leave a VM..if not i think chelle has it”