Breakneck Ridge to Three Forks

“TD...you got mail...add to that...you gotta do what you gotta do to try and keep everyone happy. Home life mo impotent...we-uns wish you best of luck.”

“but Congrats to your son!”

“ya.. I'm trying to figure out some alternative plans -- but right now, things are so hectic I'm afraid to schedule ANYthing.

I do know for a fact that Deb and Jordan are going to Ireland the month of June -- so surely to goodness I get to go then!”

“Im looking into info for this trip. Im off that weekend and if my work schedule doesnt change I will sign on as definate”

“Drop me an e-mail, I lost your addy.”

“Is there parking at Round Bottom? Also is straight fork road a gravel road?”

“yes and yes”

“I may try to make this one.”

“I have been looking at a map with a bit more
detail. It shows BM 4202 at the confluence of
the streams at Three Forks. Would you expect
it to still be there? Do Bench Marks get
washed away? Have you located this Survey
Marker on a past trip?

This map shows the old trail leaving the
"bald" of Breakneck Ridge in an almost north
westerly direction down a shoulder and
almost directly to the Bench Mark.

When you have searched out survey markers on
past trips, how close have you found them to
be to where they are depicted on maps?
I wouls suppose that you are using a top end
GPS device. Do the calls for the survey
markers match up with the readings you get
with your GPS device?”

“Im still up for this trip. Who is still going. Also whats the average temp range for the park this time of year? I will be driving from Cincinnati getting to 44 by late afternoon”

“since no one will confirm they are attending this trip i am taking my name off this trip”

“You might see if TD will send out a broadcast email asking who is still in on this one.”

“Since I no longer can make this trip.. I have not kept up with the status.

I'd try emailing some of the people listed still as yes directly..”

“I am still on for the trip. If this changes
I will post here and change my status on the trip page.”

“ohtraildog,

check here for average temps

http://www.gsmnp.com/pages/weather.html”

“traildog, you might want to call here.

GSMNP
For updated road and weather information, call (865) 436-1200.”

“I can not make trip in March.
TownDawg I hope that you can lead the
trip in June.”

“A good possibility, Joe. My daughter and wife are going to Ireland for two weeks, so I'm thinking I will plan a trip in that time frame.”

“Thanks.
Please keep me in mind.”

“I've decided to wait on going up to CS 44.

Given the snow melt along the upper elevations and seeing as how the spring sits on a fault line at #44, I expect it will be flowing pretty well. I am afraid the tent sites will be damp.”

“I am considering doing this hike in June. How difficult is it? How long does it typically take to get to Big Pool (Three Forks) descending and how long does it take to climb?

Any information is much appreciated.”

“I read in a hiking book once about this "mystical" kind of place in the Smokies called "Three Forks", where three tributaries lead into one Big Pool at the site of an old logging camp. Follow an unmarked/unmaintained trail up Breakneck Ridge to the Three Forks. Sounds easy enough...... I should have read more in to some of the names and descriptions of the trail i.e. 'BREAKNECK Ridge", 'UNMARKED/UNMAINTAINED trail". It didn't help matters that I attempted this particular hike in late November when any remnant of a trail was covered by leaves...none-the-less...I would not suggest attempting this trail unless you have PLENTY of extra time, gear, a real good topo map, compass and GPS couldn't hurt either. From Hyatt Ridge trailhead it took more than 5 hours to get to the Big Pool (which really wasn't all that big).

Plan to get lost, or better phrased, misdirected.
The whole area is very thick in Rhoddendreon, so thick that you can't walk through it you'll have to walk ON it. There really is no trail, you have to just follow the compass and map. The last mile or so before you get to "Three Forks" is extremely steep downhill and extremely difficult to find again to go back up. The best you can do is to just find the path of least resistance. Oh...and my best suggestion of all, let someone know EXACTLY where you're going and how long you plan to be, lots of people have gotten "misdirected" on this outing.

There are far more enjoyable and beautiful hikes to go on...but if you do decide to attempt this hike...Good Luck!”

“read SwompTromps post from page 1 entitled "Raven Fork info". i forgot about the surveyers tape on too few and far between trees. But good info also.”

“Thanks for the post. We didn't get a chance to take this trip when we planned it. We would have liked to.

Yes, we planned on taking most of the day to get to 3 forks. It may only be a mile or so, but anyone who has ever done off trail hiking knows a mile can take several hours. I'm not surprised to hear about the Rho.

So did you take any pictures?”

“took a few 35mm's as we walked across Breakneck Ridge, and one or two turned out of the big pool, and that's about it...otherwise it was so dense you wouldn't have recognized where it was anyway. That trip was so crazy...we couldn't find where we came down the mountain to the river, so we had to hop rocks up the river as we tried to make it to CS 44 before it got too dark. Well, it got too dark. We ended up taking the wrong fork and had to find a break in the dense rhododendron to sleep and try to keep warm..no test & no sleeping bag and the 3rd week in Nov.”

“We are actually going to do that trip eventually. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.”