Black Mountain Crest Trail Trip July 4th weekend

“okay, what is going on with this cliquish behavior?? eh??


I can't wait to get on this hike.”

“no problem....I do survey mark recovery for the fed govt. as a volunteer and as my hobby.”

“Mast General Store(s) around Boone is (are) nice for gear and such.

I'm bringing the family up this Friday and staying for a week. Since the kids will be along, I can't do a lot of serious hiking, although we will do some short trails around Mt. Mitchell (Balsam Nature Trail, Camp Alice Trail, Mount Mitchell Loop, etc.) and a fewe waterfall hikes.

Speaking of which, Roaring Fork Falls is very short and very easy and pretty close to both the Black Mountain Campground and the Carolina Hemlocks Campground (off of 80).

I should be back up later in July or early Aug as well. I'll let you know whne I have the exact dates.”

“how do you get to that trail Pisgah? I want to do as much as I can while I am in this area. It's kind of a haul for me coming from DC.”

“Roaring Fork Falls is, as I said, very easy (0.7 miles) and very easy (wide trail that is sometimes used as a service road most of the way. Don't expect a great hike, but the falls are nice once you are there.

Directions: From the Blue Ridge Parkway and NC 80, drive west on 80. In 2.2 miles, after passing through Busick, arive at FS 472. Turn left, pass through the yield sign and pass over Still Fork Creek on a small bridge. In less than ).1 mile, turn left on FS 5520 (there is a sign for the Busick Work Center). Drive 0.15 of a mile and arive at the Work Center. Park on the left shoulder (don't block the gate). Hike uphill past the gates on the right (not the fenced gates to the work center)

* Note: Probably easier than I made it sound. :)

If you want a better hike/falls (read: more difficult) then I suggest Crab Tree Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 339.5 (between NC 80 and Mt. Mitchell). It is a 2.5 mile moderate loop trail that has a verticle rise of 1,920 feet.

Hope this helps. :)”

“after the BMCT easy trails will be nice and welcome. Plus I think I am going to try and bag a few other sixers (craggy dome, gibbs, hallback and Blackstock) if I can. Is there anyway to get to Mitchell Falls (the famous plunge where the Rev. met his doom)? I heard that is on private property.”

“After checking... Crab Tree Falls is NOT between NC 80 and Mt. Mitchell (other direction on the Blue Ridge Parkway). However, it is at mile post 339.5. Sorry.”

“I know where it is (on map) but I don't know of a trail that takes you there.

I have wanted to get there myself, so when/if I find a way I'll let you know. :)”

“Crabtree Falls you can see from the parkway I believe, it is near Craggy Gardens. http://community.webshots.com/photo/123943353/123950719JcCsEQ”

“There are a few falls in the area that can be seen from the parkway. I didn't think that Cradtree was one of them, but I could very, very easily be wrong.

If you can see it from the parway, then it is from furhter north I would imagine.”

“is the one in my pic Crabtree? I didn't take note of the sign when I was there. I was very sore from hiking and got out of my car, point and click and got back in and left.”

“I would guess that it is not Crabtree (doesn't look like it, but I've only seen it close up from its base).

I would guess the one in the picture to be either Walker Falls, or Set Rock Falls, but without knowing where on the Blue Ridge the photo was take it really is just a big guess.”

“now that you mention it, I think it is Walker Falls.”

“Mitchell falls is part of a private game preserve. There is no trail and the area is very well guarded because it is all private. You know the invited guests only type of deal. The ranger at Mt. Mitchell made it quite clear to me that um you aint wanted in there.”

“they should give that land to the state to annex to the park. Just my opinion.”

“well the relatives...daughters of Big Tom Wilson are getting on in years and are selling off very little pieces to cover med. expenses etc...”

“I can fit 3 more people + gear in the van at BMCG Sat. morning.”

“http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/webcam/webcam.html

Weather forecast for Burnsville, NC next weekend is rain and high temps in the low 70s. It has a week to change though. If it is in the low 70s in Burnsville it will be in the low 50s to high 40s up on the mtn.”

“Here's a website I've used in the past for forecasts in the WNC area. It doesn't predict out to next weekend yet, though.

http://averyweather.com/

It's still raining in Alabama.”

“I need an Arc in Atlanta!!!”

“I am going to email everyone maps. If you didn't get it and need it lemme know. I've used and abused this map so it may be hard to read. The one highlighted in yellow is the trail.”

“the email will probably show up in your in/box as robert danner or rdanner2377 at msn . com ..”

“YOW!!!

We're lookin' at scattered T-storms 40% for Saturday and Sunday!!!”

“Bring your kites everyone. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

“that could change yet. I'm there rain or shire. It'd be interesting to see a tstorm up on the high ridge.”

“did everyone get their maps”

“What's that Earth? If it rains you're going to the shire? Do you know some secret path to middle earth?”

“I got the map. I have a mitchell map, need to check if this part is on it. My printer is out of ink.

Our meeting area still stands right??”

“Roger on the map.”

“I am a halfling, and you know this. Cattail Peak is middle earth.”

“meeting place stands at Black Mtn Campground.”

“I got the map.”

“bad memory...friday right? around what time??”

“Saturday morning, early?”

“is it saturday, really?”

“No map yet. Gotta get to REI.”

“yeah, meet at the campground at 730 and then we will shuttle to Bolens at 8 and be on the trail by 9.

JO check your email.”

“got it. will be there. Remember now...don't change anything.

I won't be home all week, so I won't be able to check this board.”

“Got the map fine.”

“didnt get one ....but already have all i need....see you folks sat am on celo....gone effective thurs”

“ok 2socks, if ya need anything drop me a line. Look forward to meeting ya ..”

“sooo....ya think we could all split a campsite if you get there saturday early morning??? or are you not going to get some sleep??”

“if you can get to the Campground early enough to score a site for friday night that would be awesome!! I would def split the cost with you. I think it is $16. Two cars and two tents per site. I think 6 people are allowed on a site. If we can't get a site it's ok to sleep in the car in the trailhead parking lot. I've slept in my car there before.”

“Okay...I will try my best okay! Check the register for Gemini or Gabriele. I'll leave a note about TrailTalk too.

I know it's the 4th of July weekend, but who knows I may get there early and hike a couple other trails thursday and friday.”

“that would work. We could leave extra cars at trail head lot. I think it will only be Bison, Roam and me staying over night there. Everyone else I think is meeting in the morning at 730 at the trailhead lot. What time are you expecting to get to the campground. I think they close at 5.”

“that's awesome Gem. The campground makes a good base camp. You could hit up a lot from there.”

“hmmm, may not be able to get away that early EnS, would love to go though. Might be able to do something. Would be fun way to celebrate getting with of that bastard offspring of Britain ;o)”

“I got my map. Most likly we will pull in around 8 pm to campsite.

I got the map. Thanks,”

“Gem, maybe you should reserve two sites for Friday night if poss.”

“that would be awesome if you can make it y2.”