Breakneck Ridge to Three Forks

“Somebody sent me some really good pictures of this area also..

Webshots

Also.. just curious.. the Balsam Mtn Rd, Straight Fork Rd loop to the fish hatchery is closed to auto traffic and will not reopen this fall according to a ranger at the Oconaluftee visitors center. (Too much flood damage to get it repaired this year.)

I need to look more into how that will affect us, if the road is still closed next spring.”

“SwampTromp: I love this from the link you provided, and brings back a LOT of memories from the Ramsey hike we did.

"For those readers who have not hiked off-trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I can assure you it is quite an experience. It can be extremely rugged (a couple of buddies and I did the lower part of this same creek a few years later: it took us over 7 hours to cover 2.5 miles). The terrain can be extremely steep, and the vegetation so thick that you can not see your feet. In this particular valley, there are many places where your feet will never contact the ground: you bounce from one rhododendron branch to another. Many times, the energy expenditure per mile is 5 to 10 times what it would be on a maintained trail. Underestimating the ruggedness of the mountains can leave you exhausted, or worse."”

“SwampTromp: I was definitely one point in our journey where I barely had the strength to stand. I was sooo worn out!”

“TownDawg: Those are great photos. #4251 gives you an idea of what the blackberry is like on the ridgetop. If the trail is overgrown the person in front just has to trample his way through and get cut up in the process. Wear sturdy clothes or bring some Neosporin!

Yeah, that quote sums things up pretty well, doesn't it? I think the Straight Fork Rd. is always closed that time of year anyway. It's flat, easy walking though.”

“How far of a hike is it from the bridge to three forks? I have a trip to #47 this summer and it might be worth it to get to #47 by lunch time on Friday and then dayhike to three forks and back. When we go we're going to be equiped to swim. We'd likely be hiking with swim sandals and shorts and just swim up each pool til 3 forks.”

“SwampTromp: "vegetation so thick that you can not see your feet... many places where your feet will never contact the ground ... bounce from one rhododendron branch to another."

heh.. I can vouch for that. I felt like I was walking on a really lumpy spring mattress!

I hope you go in March. I'd trust your leadership anywhere.”

“dayhiker: Roundtrip to Three Forks from the Enloe Creek Trail bridge would be nine miles or so of rockhopping, much too far for one day. It might be more interesting, if the water level isn't too high, to head downstream for a mile or two. Between there and the indian reservation Raven Fork goes through a deep gorge. I never talked to anyone who's been in there but it's supposed to be really rugged.”

“swamptromp - that's the point of my trip. I was there this past June and we went down stream almost to where Enloe Creek joins another. We got to camp around 2 and had a few hours to kill so that's what we did. Next time we're going back and spending a full day exploring downstream. There are some pictures of the different pools on my webshots account.

Thanks for the mileage. That'd be killer for a half day. We'll probably just explore upstream for the afternoon on the Friday we arrive, spend all day Saturday downstream, and then hike out on Sun. We're considering rafting the upper Ocoee on our way home on Sunday.”

“SwampTromp: I thought bringing the machete' was YOUR job.. ;)”

“When I did Hyatt Ridge 2 yrs ago it was a beast. I was able to follow the old Hyatt ridge trail for about 2 of the calculated 4 miles. The trail was fairly encroached upon but it could be followed. One had to look at the compass constantly and read the lay of the land. It was very difficult. Twice where the ridge descended to the SE the old trail disappeared. The Rhodos were very thick and HUGE. The blowdowns were big SE of Marks Knob. The last 1/4 mile into the Hyatt Ridge trail was through open pine trees with some blueberry bushes. It took me 9 hrs from Balsam Mt trail to Marks and down to McGee Springs. (I hike faster than most and can go pretty fast off trail.) At times I thought if I had a broken arm or leg I would be bear food, even though I wrote on my permit that I was bushwhacking down Hyatt Ridge. You could get hurt in those woods and you will NEVER be found, EVER.

As far as bushwhacking I have done some near Shining Rock, Smokies, Plotts, Roans, Wilson Creek. You NEVER know what the woods hold. They could be open; they could be a maze of Rhodo's, laurel, and Blueberries. Thinking about Three Forks to Pecks next spring. Maybe I'll join you for this hike (at least part of it)”

“ppcraft: I went up Hyatt Ridge once and that's pretty much how I remember it. I think the reason they abandoned that trail in the first place was the unmanageable number of blowdowns it was getting. I'd be up for continuing the hike somewhere beyond Three Forks with you and I'm sure I could talk MadMudMan into coming along.

dayhiker: That should be a great hike. It looks like from the map that the steepest narrowest part is all the way down by the reservation boundary. If you have a topo map, check out Batsaw Branch. It has a 500 acre drainage and drops 600' at a 50% grade. There's got to be a decent waterfall hiding up there.”

“I'll check it out. When we left #47 this past June we were already talking about spending 3 day weekend there before we even made it back to the vehicle at Straight Fork Road.

TD - I have been informed that the date for my Sipsey trip is when my wife wants to have the birthday part for our son. It may be hard for me to reshedule that trip. If so, I can probably make this one. I do want to make the Sipsey trip happen though.”

“Koo, John.. Just send me an email when you get time.. so we can start trying to nail down the right weekend to do it.”

“If the Sipsey thing is a no-go then the 2nd weekend in March would probably be good. I think that's the first date you have listed. If the Sipsey is a go, only a week or two earlier then I'm still a bust on this one. That's our busy time of year at work so taking two Fridays off within 3 weeks would be tough to swing.

One thing that I've thought about doing is that if Sipsey is a no-go (and to anyone reading this that's considering that trip, this is still way early to decide. I'll talk to my wife and we'll know in a week or two) then I might try to make this the 4 day trip that Sipsey was. IF that happens I'd likely go ahead and check out 47 on Thur and then hook up with yall via that ridge trail. Seems like yall are staying at 44 on Friday night. I could play at 47 on Thur and Friday and then meet up with yall at 44 before dark. It's a pretty short hike between the two campsite. Less than 4 miles if memory serves. It probably gets dark around 7 EST that time of year. I could be there in 2 hours for that. I might even hike back to the vehicle for a resupply and hike back in with yall.

Again, this is all if.”

“I'm thinking this thru a bit better now. I don't want to jeopardize the summer #47 trip. The folks that went on it last time are counting on it again. If I did all that in March then I wouldn't want to do it again. Also, you really can't easily or safely negotiate some of that without swimming. This skinny white kid ain't swimming in March.

If this comes to pass and if I still try to do the 4 day think then I might just do a LeConte trip on Thur and Friday and then catch up with yall Friday evening. I've never hiked LeConte. I know that's borderline blasphemy, but I haven't checked out that area.”

“I understand, and I might be able to do #47 with yas.. It's too early right now.. but I was going to try to set a weekend that works for everyone involved.”

“<< laughs.. and has never hiked Alum Cave trail.”

“This might be a good opportunity for me to get two trips into 1. If I leave home at 5am I can be most places in the park by 10. That gives 8 hours of hiking before dark and then probably 8 more Friday morning, 2 hrs of driving, and then be at the TH by 5. I can hike to 44 in the dark if need be. I'd probably plan it so that I get there earlier though.”

“We might put that together if you want John. I got your email btw.”

“Ok, I should know something in a week or two. The conflict on Sipsey is my sons b'day party, his b'day and 2 nephews b'day's as well. Friday we leave for Disney and the brother-in-law/sis-in-law/nephew are going as well. We might can work out all the conflicting parties while on this trip and I'll know how it'll shake out by the time I get back.”

“What is at Three Forks? anything special?”

“hi skidder!.. I can take time to fax the K. Wise text on the place if u want..

You need to go if u can.”

“March 18 - March 20, Fri/Sat/Sun seems to work best for me, and has the blessing of my boss.

;)”

“I will probably be out west during that time, so count me out.”

“If I aren't dead I'll be there...do you plan on gettin or filling permit at Oconaluftee and if so we need to talk...”

“2socks: I usually take on that responsibility of calling the park office, and getting all the paperwork filled out.

embear: Sorry to hear it.”

“that is no problem but thats not what i wanted to talk about...im thinkin about hikin back to Oconaluftee and was wonderin about a ride on day 1 from there to the trailhead is all...”

“TD....nevermind I'll work it another way”

“TownDawg, what would you estimate the
travel time to be from Murfreesboro to
the trailhead?”

“hMmm... good question.. and sorry i have not seen this further.. but figure mboro to maryville is bout 4 hrs.. maybe 5..

dont sweat it tho.. i always end up hiking in in the dark

what time do you see yourself getting away?”

“Thursday pm
I'm trying to have in mind where to crash
in the area late in the night. I would want
to arrive at the trailhead right after
daybreak Friday morning. Is there an
established parking area off Straight Fork
Rd. once you get to Round Bottom? I have not
studied a road map. You must be approaching
the area from Maryville rather than Cherokee.
Would you want to give a quick route to
route in from Maryville?”

“Seems like Maryville wouldn't be a good way to come in. From there you either have to go over and through Newfound Gap or Pkway and then south and around to Bryson City and Cherokee. Nashville to Knoxville and around would seem to make more sense. I-40 being out might be the reason for Maryville though.”

“Hi Abilene.. didn't see your post until now.

I will try to look at a map, and give you some recommendations.. and if worse comes to worse.. I got folks I can call to get more info for you.

By the way.. I don't see your name on the signup sheet??”

“TownDawg:

Thanks!

I interested in the information I requested.”

“I think the quickest route from Knoxvegas is I-40 to US 276 exit. Go south, US 19 joins from left as 276 heads toward Waynesville. Go south on 19, over Soco Gap to Cherokee. Sounds like a great trip. Will pencil in calendar.”

“ppcraft....

Thanks for the information.”

“ya.. I was thinking about going that way... instead of trying to traverse the south route thru M'ville.”

“2socks: If I can get an extra day. I'd like to see CS44, and CS47.”

“You know how I feel about 47.”

“exactly!!.. thats why I HAVE to visit it while I am there.”

“TD..I'm going a day early to do the Beach Gap trail to Balsam Mtn. trail and hunt for a survey mark on Ledge Bald. Then it's a continuation to Pin Oak Gap and I'll walk the road back to the start at Round Bottom. Plan on meeting you guys at Round Bottom parking on your day 1. If day 1 was to allow folks to arrive at their leisure and get to CS44 that could be all day and night if day 2 is the attack on 3 forks and return, that will probably take all day if we want to enjoy it. That leaves you day 3 to leave CS44 and say goodbye to folks whose weekend ends and head to CS47 for a night if that was what you had in mind. Me, my extra day is at the front end, can't do a CS47 sidetrip. I'm bringing spirits and mix this trip so I may not be able to do much of anything cept drag my butt back to my vehicle when the fun at the forks ends. Guess I've re-written this enough....that'll do pig.”

“I may have a conflict. Due to son asking Elizabeth to marry him -- summer vacation's been moved to March. (Guess which weekend?).. lmbo.

Anyway. Feel free to go if this is your best weekend. I can possibly go the weekend or two before if that works out with everyone, but if not -- we can leave it as it as, and you guys can hopefully post me a good TR and tell me bout it??

Let me kno.. k?”

“I should be able to make this. I have to get the calendar worked out with the kids visits, but barring that, I will be there.”

“ok.. so I'm assuming.. that you don't want me to change the weekend (even tho I can't go.) Do you guys want me to call the NPS, and get the site for youz?”

“TD . . . . good trip, better trip leader. I hope
that you will continue to be available for
advice for those of us that have to go on
the original dates or not at all. March 17 -
20 is my window. I am planning on
parking at Smokemont, making CS47
3/17, CS44 3/18, Three Forks 3/19,
return by CS47 and out 3/20”

“Joe Pye - be forwarnded that 47 itself isn't anything great, but the rockhopping down stream is great fun.”

“dayhiker - I remember reading that there
is a nice fall near 47. Is it off the trail on
the way towards 44? btw - what's
happening in Rocket City?”

“TD...the way I see it, CS44 is a open campsite requiring no reservation...other than the self registration to use the park overnight..those that wish to use CS47 will have to call ahead and reserve that for the dates they want. Least ways thats what my map says and so I'm just gonna register at Oconaluftee the day I get there and then drive on up to Round Bottom.”

“Someone mentioned that well downstream of 47 is a nice falls. I'm going this summer to check it out. I came to 47 by way of Smokemont so I was coming in a little different direction.

I'm outside of B'ham instead of Huntsville.”

“ok guys.. I won't sweat it then.. I had really hoped to go.. but my life is in a turmoil for the moment.. between the wedding in March, both graduations in May, the family vacation in March.. wHew..

Deb and Jordan go to Ireland in June.. maybe I'll get to backpack every weekend that month??”