More on the Cades Cove Full Moon Campout /hike

“Looks like I can get the Cades Cove Group Camp with pavillion for the weekend of August 19. Cost is $63 (plus tax) per night. Up to 30 people can go. We will split the cost on a PER PERSON PER NIGHT basis. I haven't made the reservation yet, but will if we can fill it up.

Kids are welcome to come along, but please leave dogs at home. Dogs cannot be left alone in the campsite, nor are they allowed on the Cades Cove night hike or any hike in the park (national park rule).
last edited: 5/26/05 9:24:16 PM”

“woodzie, even if 6 people showed up it would only be $ 21.00 for both nights. That is still cheaper than the $14.00 a nite for a single campsite.

I didn't know they wanted a tax on top of the normal price. I didn't pay any tax when I was there over the Christmas Holidays.”

“We'll need at least 8 people. That is the minimum for the group site.”

“I can bring an extra tent for the ghost”

“I called and made the reservation. We have Group Site C with a pavillion! Woohoo! there are 14 picnic tables under the pavillion.

This group site is tents only, no RVs or pop-up campers. Sorry.

Cost is $126 for both nights.”

“I just put myself down as a maybe. I have to check my Scouting schedule to make sure I am free that weekend. Does anyone mind if I bring a kid or two?

"No kids" is perfectly acceptable.
last edited: 5/27/05 9:39:01 AM”

“great, did you have to pay now or do we pay then.

already circled the dates on my calendar
last edited: 5/27/05 9:39:37 AM”

“This group site is tents only, no RVs or pop-up campers. Sorry."
woodzie
9:35:58 AM
5/27/05

i THINK i LOVE YOU :)”

“bit, bring your whole family.

I might be bringing one other person with me.”

“I have a trip in the Smokies that weekend and might try and swing by if I get the chance.”

“Ewker, I paid by credit card. I'll collect the money the weekend of the campout.

Bit, kids are welcome to come along.
last edited: 5/27/05 11:01:38 AM”

“woodzie, are you sure? I can send you some money now if you want it.”

“Until we know how many people are going, I don't know what the cost per person will be. It can wait, no problem. But thanks for offering :-)”

“well I don't know if i can go.. but I'll throw you a donation if that will help make up your mind?”

“If it will help make up my mind? For what? :-) If you want to send money to me, go right ahead. I'll take donations anytime, LOL!”

“Which trails did you have in mind?”

“jackstraw, there are quite a few trails that start in the Cades Cove area. What woodzie had in mind was to walk the Cades Cove Loop road under the full moon. The road is approx 11 miles long. It goes pretty much around the cove. There are 2 gravel roads where you can cut across the cove or you can turn back as long as someone goes with you. During the day you will see tons of deer and sometimes a bear. I haven't yet :(
The ranger told woodzie that if we walk it have headlamps and do not walk alone since the bears tend to come out more at night. Better chance to see them.
heck one might walk down the road behind us.

This thread is linked to the trips page.

This link http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/38435,-1.php is the original thread
last edited: 5/28/05 8:17:23 PM”

“Thanks for the info Ewker. Sounds like a fun trip. Do you know if the road is paved? or is there a grassy shoulder. Road hiking be leanin on my last nerve Yo.”

“yes the road is paved by there is some grass along it. Can't guarantee you will be able to walk on grass the whole way.”

“There are plenty of old historical cabins along the way...

An awesome photo would be to set up a tripod and get the moon behind one of cabins!”

“you must have been reading my mind”

“The last time I was in Cades Cove at night I saw three coyotes, and heard more. Yet another reason to leave your pooch at home.”

“Hey Woodzie,

I've got that weekend off, I may take the whole week off since I only have to work 2 days that week. I may combine the Black Mountains Crest Trail with this hike.

Sounds like a neat idea!
last edited: 5/30/05 4:35:38 PM”

“It should be a fun time. Of course, during the day folks are fee to go off and hike wherever they please. There are a lot of good hiking trail in the Cades Cove area.”

“Count me in.

The coyotes are terrible in Cades Cove right now but the rangers are pushing them back pretty well.

Bear activity in the cove has been pretty high this spring (CS sees one about every time she goes over there).

There is an interesting little cave just off the road on the north side of the loop.

Also, for you geocachers, there are several virtuals in the cove.”

“...glad to have you along. It's going to be a fun weekend :-)

As for the cave, I was in it about 25 years ago. I was with a UT grad student who was doing research on eastern pipistrelle bats. Was really neat to go in and see the little buggers up close. There is a locked gate on front of the cave now, as far as I know. The gate is bat-friendly :-)”

“There is another small cave with no bars over the entrance not far from the Baptist Church.”

“chili, I haven't seen that one. I will have to go scouting for it before August.”

“I have the coordinates for it, but I can give you directions straight up there.”

“Does this campsite have bear boxes or will we be hanging?”

“bit, anytime I have been there I just leave my food in my car. I think that is all the rangers ask of you.
You might be able to even bring your pop-up camper”

“I think woodsie said earlier that this site doesn't allow campers. I am gonna bring my big tent and my queen-sized, raised inflatable mattress though.”

“This group site is tents only, no RVs, campers, or trailers.

Since it is a campground, food will need to be kept in vehicles at night or when no one is around.

I was at Cades Cove yesterday and checked out the Group Site I have reserved. Very nice and roomy, and private from the rest of the campground. The pavilion is large, and there are plenty of picnic tables and a couple of bathrooms.”

“At Cades Cove yesterday? WTF? Less than two miles from my house. Had I know that, I would have trucked in over there after I got home.”

“I'm in Oak Ridge, so the Smokies aren't that far away.

BTW, when I was driving around Cades Cove, I saw a bear sow with three cubs :-) Too far away for pics, though.”

“woodzie, I wasn't sure where you lived. My office is off Papermill/Northshore in Knoxville.

I am in OR about 3 or 4 times a month to see clients.”

“I think that to Chili36 clients are the girls working at Hooter's.

LOL.”

“This trip should be close to the time Mars will be at its' peak...right next to the moon..all the better ..WooHoo!!!”

“ns, when I practiced, I usually had the girls working at one of the strip clubs in Memphis as clients. Not only did they refer me a bunch of business, they also had the funds to pay........in cash.

You ever seen a thousand ones?”

“And if they're a little short on cash, you can take payment in the form of lap dances.”

“or by "couch fee"”

“I am also bringing my road bike for this trip. On Sat mornings until 10:00AM Cades Cove road is closed to cars so you can walk or ride the road”

“The coyotes are really brave. CS and I were up there last week and the coyotes came right up to the car.”

“that will make for some interesting bike riding..lol”

“particularly if we ties a porkchop on a 10 foot string behind the bike”

“im a very strong maybe for this trip”

“i was in the cove over memorial day...saw tons of deer and turkey and a momma bear and 2 cubs...some jerk with a camara chased her up a hill...we was like the bear paparazzi...saturday and wednesday mornings are great at the cove, they shut to road down to car traffic, it is only open to hikers and cyclists”

“hey woodzie any room left on this?
HH”

“Sure is. Go to the trips page and sign up there. Will be good to have you along. Who are you bringing?

I responded to your message in backpacker.com as well.”

“My self;Brandon and my Daughter Sarah
HH”