Savage Gulf 1/16-18/04

“I meant to bring my map home from lunch and forgot.

We have to camp at Collins West on Friday night because 80% of the folks who are coming won't arrive until then.

Saw Mill looks to only be 5 miles or so from Collins West.

Here's my backup plan.

Friday morning arrivals: Meet at Stone Door and hike to Collins West as planned. Saturday backtrack to Saw Mill. This looks like about 5 miles. We'll get there early and have lots of time to explore the area. We get to have campfires. Sunday backtrack to Stone Door.


Friday Night arrivals: (1) do the modified trip or (2) camp at Stage Road on Sat night and then exit at Savage Station which would be a short shuttle.

embear - do you have a problem with me calling the guy? Is that your concern about posting the info? I'm planning on saying that I'm the same guy that called this morning, I have heard that Rangers are aware that a big group is planned, and could I possibly talk with the Ranger in charge of the Stage Road area on Saturday night to addresss any concerns. I don't want to put you or your brother in a bad position. Let me know what you think.”

“embear - you have mail”

“If we find out who the EMBICILE is who got the rangers all lathered up, we need to ban him/her from further hikes.

I agree with WK's route. We set out from Stone Door as planned and go to Collins West Friday night. Saturday, we head toward Stage road via the Collins Gulf Trail but cut short at the Stage Road Historic Trail and take the Connector Trail up to Hobbs' Cabin. We then go out at Savage on Sunday.”

“Oh yeah. There's no stinking water at Dinky Line.”

“How far is it from Collins West to Hobbs Cabin? This looks like it will add maybe 2 miles to Sat and 2 to Sunday. Sound about right?”

“Yer damn straight there ain't no beer in Beersheba Springs...”

“Looks good dayhiker.”

“My situation is such that I won't know for sure until the last minute (Thursday), but right now I'm in and plan to show up on Friday morning.”

“If those mileages are correct, and someone please confirm, then that would only make Sat a 9 mile day and Sun an 8 mile day. That still works easily. I like the fact that WK's route will let us see the majority of the Park whereas mine has so much backtracking.”

“I just posted this on the trips page:

(1/13/04) Update
The route is being reworked. Stage Door is likely out of commission. Also be aware that on the threads we have posted many times that too many folks are signed up. Be forewarned that folks after #21 will be re-routed to other campsites.”

“Mileage from Collins West to Hobbs' Cabin would be 11.3 miles by the route I suggested.”

“Your mileages look about right dayhiker.”

“I have no problem with 11 miles. My only concern is that folks are planning on 6 miles and we've almost doubled it. I'll have to mull that one over. My last trip wound up a mess when the intent of the trip changed and the mileage did not. Our intent hasn't changed, but we have people coming with an expectation of 6 miles and that's not what they'll get.”

“I think there are quite a few folks coming who won't be willing to do that kind of mileage. But I'm willing to.

Perhaps given the situation, we should allow people to choose their own hikes. It looks like it's going to be a large group anyway.”

“Monkey merde!!! I may just go ahead and do the original route anyway and just stay at Sawmill Sat. night. It's not that far from Stage Road and would be a short backtrack down the SRH trail.”

“I'm thinking that might be best bit. We could probably all be together Friday and then break into 2 smaller groups as we hit the backcountry.

I just left a message at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station about this trip. Hopefully, I'll get a call back today.”

“FG - that's why I was asking how far it is from Saw Mill to Stage Road earlier. It looks like a mile, but I don't have my full map. What's the mileage.”

“We'll probably all be tired of each other after Friday night anyway, lol...”

“"FG - that's why I was asking how far it is from Saw Mill to Stage Road earlier. It looks like a mile, but I don't have my full map. What's the mileage."
dayhiker
01:53:30 PM
01/13/04

1.6 miles.”

“Thanks.

I have a mental picture of how this can play out now. When the Ranger calls back I'll finalize everything and then post back.”

“I should have said, 1.6 miles from the junction of the Stage Road Trail and the Historic Trail...”

“Phew...”

“You said it.”

“Just put someone in front of me and I will follow.”

“Just put someone in front of me and I will follow."
Wounded Knee


I down with that. WK I think I might be able to keep up with you.”

“Sawmill Camp to Stage Road Camp is 2.9 miles. .4 on Connector, 1.6 on Stage Road, and .9 on South Rim.”

“Just tell the ranger we're planning for a little fire-breathing and some animal sacrifice --- no biggie. Just gonna sling around a little chicken blood.”

“Yup.”

“Jeez, they're gonna show up with the Tennessee National Guard...”

“LMAO @ Bitpusher!”

“cause I hate looking up stuff...

are there roads that will get socks made of cotton and myself to (or close to) Collins west. We will be coming in late on friday night, and will not want to get lost in Tennessee backcountry roads. also....will somone take care of permits for me? I'd rather NOT take time in the AM to drive to the ranger stations...also...

can someone post a phone # to the either of the ranger stations, so that I can call them and verify the information that you provide...not that I don'[t trust you all...but, pranks are your trademarks.”

“Ouch. That puts Sunday at 9 miles from Saw Mill to Savage Ranger Station.”

“stikmon - I'll try to find out about the permit issue when I talk with the Ranger. Right now, they're a little jumpy and don't need half of us calling them. I can possibly register you, but will need your tag number to do so.”

“Stikmon, DON'T YOU DARE call the ranger station...”

“...or the men in the nice white coat will show up to take us away...”

“I can bring extra coffee if anyone is interested. I roast my own and, IMHO, it's better than that Folgers/MaxwellHouse dreck. If you like Peet's, you'd like the kind I roast. On the menu this week is a Costa Rican / India Monsooned Malabar blend.”

“Oh yes... Tell the ranger you're coming to hunt down some huorns, then describe what they did to Saruman's orcs, LOL”

“Fri
Jan 16 Partly Cloudy 45°/28° 10 %

Sat
Jan 17 Showers 47°/30° 40 %

Sun
Jan 18 Showers 44°/25° 40 %”

“Bitpusher and I will no longer be camping at Savage Station on Thurs. night. Anyone wishing to hook up with us Thurs. night can e-mail me for the new location.”

“Does this mean you've gone renegade to get away from all us wild folks?”

“They're off the grid! LOL”

“I saw that forecast earlier but was afraid to mention it.

Screw it, Bring it on!”

“I saw that forecast earlier but was afraid to mention it.

Screw it, Bring it on!"
Wounded Knee
03:50:22 PM
01/13/04



and what did it say?”

“It said that it was going to rain all over our sorry asses!”

“I ain't skerded of no rain! ;)”

“He's referring to the forecast I posted.

I called back and got the answering machine at the Ranger Station. I then called the main number and she refered me to the Ranger Station. She didn't know of any concerns but suggested I double check with that Ranger.”

“cottonsocks, don't worry you won't melt ;)”

“I would have enjoyed meeting all of you fine folks, but I won't be able to attend. We will be recruiting at local trailer parks in the area for some upcoming shows. Thanks for including me.

Love,

Jerry”

“if i don't get the answers to my questions, then I'm calling the rangers. I have traveled all over the country (not bragging here) and have had NO problems in talking with the rangers. If they are "anxious" over this event, then that is what YOU all brought on. If this is going to be a trip where law enforcement becomes involved, then I'd rather go elsewhere where contact with law enforcement will not be a concern.

Sometimes you all make such a ruckus that attention is drawn to us...that sucks.”

“Read the dang thread stikky. The answers are there.”