Savage Gulf

“I'll let him know about it! That was really good the last time, wasn't it?

Depends on where we have camp though, last time it was at Collins West, which is a short walk in from the parking lot.”

“...and a long stumble back to the van. Makers Mark was the stuff.”

“What is the deal with Hobbs cabin? Do you rent it? Free? How many people will fit inside?

I know it is basically in the center of the park, so if we chose to hike to it on Friday, I would be fine. I am going to try to get others from up here to come down with . JimmySan (Pitts) i'm sure will be interested.”

“Are the Goose's coming? LOL”

“Ha Ha! That was classic!

What's up with Goose?”

“Staying at Hobb's Cabin is free, but the first person who arrives at the cabin gets to say how it is used. At least that is what I have heard. I don't know what the capacity is, but I don't think it's more than 6 or 8. It is, like most backcountry shelters, reportedly infested with mice. Also it is about 7 miles from the Savage Ranger Station, if you take the North Rim trail. We could make it a loop hike if We came back on the North Plateau trail, and if we wanted to make it a three-dayer we could spend a night at Dinky Line camp, but Dinky Line is dry so people will have to be sure to bring plenty of water.”

“He and I have been trying to get a trip together for a while, but he has a new job, and the last I heard, he was waiting for an unannounced state inspection to occur before he went out of town for the weekend.

He has recovered from the motorcycle accident that he and Mother Goose had about year or so ago, but problems with one of his feet have caused him to curtail more backpacking activity.

We all got together at my place a couple months back and had a good time. They have been through a rough spot but they are okay.”

“No Night hiking at Savage Gulf and with dark coming so early, Hobbs would be pretty much an all day hike.

MLK weekend is best for me.”

“Sounds like the working of a trip. Thanks Bit.”

“Yah it would be best to stay at the Savage Station campground the night before and get an early start to take advantage of all the daylight. Only about 10 hours of day that time of the year.”

“WK I could go 20-22.. or 27-28.. either one would work..but work it out in the best interest of the others.”

“Is that where you and Goose stayed, Bit?”

“No, last time we stayed at the Stone Door station campsite.”

“Thanks TGirl, I had my eyes on the 20-22 as well.

Bit, is that where we registered?”

“Yup, y'all met us over there and then we started the hike.

If we wanted to do a shorter hike, we could start at the Stone Door and hike over to the Alum Gap campsite. There are multiple trails. Big Creek Gulf trail is about 4 miles, moderate, with that nasty climb at the end. Big Creek rim is flat, scenic and 3.2 miles, and the Laurel Trail is a 2.9 mile flat woodswalk.”

“I think that is the trail we accidently took when we got to the bottom of the gulf. That climb tasted like #&%!$!”

“bitpusher - Wow! That's the first I've heard about the accident. I'm glad if they're OK.”

“Yep they were both on his motorcycle and got t-boned. Bike was totaled, and they were moderately injured.

WK: Yes, when you took your "wrong turn" that's when you went up the Big Creek Gulf Trail.

Incidentally, my first TT hike was from the Stone Door to Alum Gap along the BCG trail.”

“You might consider an overflow hike too. We had about 2x too many people last time, but they let us keep registering anyway. They might not let us get big again. A ranger actually wrote in after the trip 2 years ago. They are well aware of all the antics from last time.”

“Good point Dayhiker. The wife is in a good mood today so when she calls me back, I will check to see what weekend works best.

After that I am going to post the trip and we will see how many sign up. If it is anything like the last one, we will plan accordinly.”

“Overflow could go to Sawmill, which is about the same distance, but literally in the middle of the Gulf. Water source there is Schwoon spring, about a half-mile away.
That is via the Connector trail mostly, and goes past the Cator Savage historical site. This is the same trail that most of the hikers took last time when we hiked from Stone Door to Collins West.”

“I will dig up the map I have at home tonight and check it out. The maps onling that I have found are too small to read.”

“I'm interested....so are you changing weekends. MLK weekend would be best for me too or 27-29”

“If this turns into another massive Drunkfest, I'll find something else to do.”

“I don't want it to be a drunk fest Stovie.”

“Besides, alcohol isn't allowed at Savage Gulf.


looks around innocently”

“LOL
Didn't mean to sound so negative.
Drunkfests are fine, but just not at sites with as many rules and Rangers that do their jobs well.”

“Totally agree with you Stovie! I don't want any part of it!”

“Heck if we want a drunkfest everyone should just drive down here to Huntsville and we could invade camp in the primitive area of Monte Sano State Park. Alcohol is allowed and as long as we keep it down, no one will care.”

“I keep hearing about these drunk fests but every TT trip I've been on, everyone has been cool.”

“Stove, how many massive drunkfest have you been on. Other than the Goose's no one else was even close to being drunk that I recall. The next night no one was. I think you have over exaggerated that trip

My last Florida trip doesn't count since there were no rangers or required campsites like Savage Gulf..lol
last edited: 11/18/05 10:53:33 AM”

“Okay, I am open to hike any weekend but MLK.

I was thinking the 20th through 22. How does this sound?”

“Okay, I am open to hike any weekend but MLK.

I was thinking the 20th through 22. How does this sound?”

“OK. Gotta check with the wife.”

“Ewker, Ewker, Ewker....
You have not learned about TT yet?”

“Stove, that makes no sense”

“Cat fight.”

“The only one drunk on the Mammoth Cave trip was Nicole and she cannot hold her liquor.
last edited: 11/18/05 11:22:03 AM”

“I think I am doomed to never go on a Savage Gulf TT trip. I go back to CO after New Years.

I better stay out of this one anyways. lol”

“Why, embear???
MOOOOOOOOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!


(We will not tell anyone your brother is a Ranger there)”

“Are you here the 7th embear?”

“What is a "Savage Gulf". Sounds close!
last edited: 11/18/05 11:32:14 AM”

“It's right North of Alabama, DDX.”

“You up for this one DDX?”

“DDX - It's about 3 hrs for me, so about 4.5 to 5 for you. Cool place.”

“Well when I get home I'll read the thread and look at the dates and see what's up. What date are you guys looking at?”

“I might be, WK, but I'm not sure yet.”

“Dates are up in the air at this point DDX.”

“I'm in.”

“http://www.state.tn.us/environment/nh/natareas/savage/

Here ya go, DDX.”