Savage Gulf 1/16-18/04

“The good thing about this trip is the low mileage. I can take both, I'd just prefer not to. I only take canned food on 3 mile per day trips like the Footballapalooza I trip. The Cheaha trip this weekend will have fresh bratwurst for grilling and probably a 6 pack. I'm trying to decide between beer or whiskey.”

“Dayhiker,

It is typically about 10 degrees cooler than Tracy City/Monteagle. He told me that it got down to -12 last January, but you never know with crazy Tennessee weather...”

“Thanks, based on what walkindude said about last year I was afraid of that. Friday night we'll be in the canyon and that 10 cooler number should be accurate. Sat night is spent on top of the bluff line. I'll bet that night will be similar to Monteagle. The average temps for that area don't look too bad. Looks like I'll work out my sleeping solution the week of the trip when a weather report is known.

I do need to reiterate that I really don't have the gear for much under 10*. If we're going to be below zero then we'll have to have a pinch hitter for the trip planner.

Also, with the high number of folks coming I wonder if any of you locals can be there at 8 to get the permit when they open. I'm leaving home at 5:30 CST to be there by 9am CST on Friday. I might just be paranoid about getting the permit though.”

“what exactly is the plan for this trip. If I come down I won't be leaving Nashville until 4:30 pm on the 16th, where are ya'll staying at that night and Sat night.”

“I don't have it written down. It's up the thread and was posted by bit and FB. I have never been and asked them to post suggestions. I think we start at Stone Door and hike to Collins West on Friday night. Sat night is at Stage Road or Savage Falls. I think it's at Stage Road so that there is still a hike on Sun. We meet at 9am CST on Friday at Savage Ranger Station and will shuttle to Stone Door.”

“I'll be coming in late friday, probably at night, so I need to know where y'all will be.

Dayhiker - weather.com for Crossville (somewhat close to the area on the plateau) says an avg low of 25, avg high of 45, for Jan 16-18 from the history data.”

“That's what I saw as well. It would put the avg low in the canyon at about 15. I can deal with that.

I'm pretty sure that the above campsites are accurate.”

“Call and check on the status of the Stage Road campsite. Bit and I were just there and he saw a sign that mentioned that the Stage Road campsite might be closed due to pinebeetles and dangerous conditions.

I hope that's right...check it out.”

“I think embear posted a couple of days ago and said that they plan to have Stage Road open later this month.”

“I'll go back through the thread and find to total trip plan and post it on the trip page. The last update I had just mentioned that Savage Gulf was what was decided on. I'll post the info sometime today.”

“Hey Stove, I think Friday night we're planning on being at Collins West, which is good for you because the trailhead is only about half a mile from the campsite. They don't allow night hiking at Savage Gulf, but you might get away with it at Collins West.”

“bit, was it Stage Road for Sat night?”

“Stove, any ideas on what time you will be getting there that Friday night.”

“it's gonna be coooooooold!!! (can't wait!!)

I will be coming in either late-late Friday night or Saturday morning.”

“Yes I believe that was the original plan. It doesn't make for much of a hike on Saturday, but the alternative is Savage Falls and a really short hike on Sunday. Which might not suck too bad.”

“That'll work. If we meet at 9 and it takes an hour to shuttle then we get under way by 10:30 at the earliest. That gives us about 6 hours of sunlight. My recollection is that we have 6-8 miles on Friday. 6 hrs of light will mean we get to hike like we want without have to rush.”

“I will be there Thursday night.”

“I'll probably be at Savage Station Thursday night as well.”

“Anyone got a map of what we are hiking or can direct me to a web site? This may have been brought up before, sorry if I missed it.”

“walkindude usually has a few extras and will mail them to you if you ask nice. If he won't or can't for some reason, I have an extra I'd be willing to part with, since you can pick up more at the trailhead.”

“He mailed me one. You can call 931-924-2980 and get them to mail you one for free.

I updated the trips page.”

“I'll get there when I get there. ;)
It's 470 miles from my house to Tracy City so I will be on the road at least 6 hours, ha ha. (Got to take a couple of pee breaks) ;)
I'll try my best to get on the trial before dark. The last time I was at the Gizzard, the ranger didn't want to let me on the trail at dusk, but I talked him into it.
I figure if I can get to the trailhead before 5, I'll be fine.
The ranger at the Gizzard locked the gate into the parking area at 5.”

“And yea, I know we ain't going to the Gizzard this time. ;)”

“I guess that's why he let me and my brother on that trail after dark, lol...”

“bit - I told the ranger y'all were coming and were expected.”

“dayhiker - Your description of the hike on the trip plage sucks....

"Description
(12/1/03) Meet at 9am CST at Savage Ranger Station. Shuttle to Stone Door.
Friday: Hike from Stone Door to Collins West (8.7 miles)
Saturday: Collins West to Stage Road (7.1 miles)
Sunday: Stage Road to Savage Ranger Station (6 miles)"

...looks like the hike is TODAY 12/1/03! ;)”

“I'm listing the date that I update the info. The date section shows when the trip is. Is the date part confusing or is it the fact that I list todays date?”

“I see what you mean now. How does it look now?”

“A little better, I was just mainly pulling your chain! ;)

It was confusing before.
It now meets with my approval, ha ha.”

“I kept the same format that I had been using, but you're right, it did read as if we were leaving today.

Damn engineer nitpicker.”

“Apologize to anybody who rushed to the trailhead today...lol...”

“Great! Thanks a lot, I was half way there. Totally confussing!

He He”

“this is over a 3 day weekend...why isn't this scheduled for sat, sun, mon.

me...I'm sure not taking a day off on friday, when I get a FREE day off on monday. Whats up with that?”

“If I make it I will probably meet up at Collins West on Fri night and hike in from there. We can meet up if you like, but it is only a couple of hours from me.”

“I seem to remember my idea of meeting up on Friday nite and doing the sat sun with everyone, then going over to the Gizzard on Sunday. so...pay no attention to my rantings. I need to find my maps and see how far they are apart from each other.”

“Packrat and I are planning to meet everyone Friday night at Collins West. We will hike with the group through Sunday and will hike out on Monday.
Basicly we got Saturday - Monday off.”

“stikmon, it's not far.

WD, sounds good...haven't seen you and packrat in a while.”

“I may hook up with y'all Friday night.
I have Monday off also and would like to extend the hike till then.”

“If we can meet at Collins West Parking, some of us could shuttle some of the vehicles to Savage Ranger Station Fri Night. That way our cars would be safer. There is a house near the Collins West Parking lot, but last time I was there 2 men were target shooting behind the house. It is still probably pretty safe, I haven't heard of any break-ins there. I am in on hiking out Sat and Sun. It depends on how I feel about going to Firey Gizzard on Mon. It is not very far (15-20) miles tops.”

“hey WD--

it'll be cool to bpack w/ both you and packrat again. It'll be like a little reunion from last year's trip! (sigh........my first TT hike)”

“Yam,

I think I am going to drive down Friday night after work. Want to ride together? I will have to come back Sunday night...”

“sigh. i guess we could, embear. but we don't have to listen to your NSync CD again, do we?”

“Ouch! She's dissin' your boy band music. People actually listen to that crap? I can't harass you too much. I sometimes watch "The Newlyweds"”

“Come on yam, you know you like it!”

“As long as you bring your New Kids on The Block...I love that one!”

“well, NSync is OK. But the Backstreet Boys rock more. HA!”

“OH YEAH! I forgot my NKOTB!”

“Yam, I saw you kissing that poster of Jordan over your bed. I'm not even that bad!”

“I was in hs when NKOTB was popular. I didn't listen to late '80's music then and I'm not gonna start now.”

“at whereever the group is meeting, then hike sat, sun, mon...mon drive home...sounds like a plan.

I'll be there, unless I get a better offer from elsewhere.”