Cumberland Trail Trip?

“I would like to go to Dolly Sods on the last weekend of this month, but....

I might stay close to home and do this http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/cumberland.html segment of the CT.

I was at Tank Spring today and sort of caught the fever. I went on up to Jellico and on the way back to Knoxville, I almost stopped at Lost Cove SP to make plans for this.

Big question is whether to hike in this heat, but I don't guess Dolly Sods will be any better.

Anyone interested in a trip along this section anytime soon?
last edited: 6/14/05 9:07:10 PM”

“what dates are you looking at”

“Saturday/Sunday of this month.

Let's see..is that the 25th/26th?

If we hiked it from South to North, we could make a pretty easy hike on Saturday over to the shelter and have a very short hike out Sunday morning to LaFollette.”

“I might be interested in this trip too. The link you provided says that there are 13.7 miles of the CT open in this section; is that the approximate milage you are proposing?

Madseason”

“this is a possible for me too - sounds interesting and not too much of a butt kicker”

“I'm interested in this trip. Are you going to post it in trips?”

“I have plans that weekend with my daughter maybe next time”

“I'm interested, esp. since we bailed on the Gregory Bald trip! I'm going canoeing this weekend, but the next one I'm free for sure.”

“This section of the CT is very interesting. The first part of the trail you will be hiking right along the interstate. And I mean like on the shoulder. You pass lots of junkie houses with trash in their yard and feel pretty much like you arent really in the backcountry. Fortunately, after you cross the stream, there are some cool waterfalls and then quite a few switchbacks up to the ridge. The trail then follows the ridge the whole rest of the way. There is a brand new shelter at the campsite, but water is scarse. Watch out for those 4 wheelers too...they like to play out on our trails. Yam and I did this section last year. IMHO, Dolly Sods sounds much more interesting.”

“Thanks embear. Given that report, I think I have to give greater consideration to Dolly Sods.”

“Chili, have you looked at the Smoky Mtn segment? It is right below the cumberland mt segment. I havent done that one, but would love to add it to the list. I would be willing to go there instead of Dolly Sods if you wanted to do it.”

“I will look at it. Jerbear called and said he was going to Dolly Sods.....hmmm,,,,Dolly Sods with Jerbear or CT with Embear.........”

“Dolly Sods sounds like fun too though. I've never been bpacking in WVA.”

“I've been cabin camping in the Cumberland section, though it was ages ago and there was a keg of beer involved...so I don't remember too much except that it was gorgeous in the Fall. I've never been on the Smoky Mtn. section.”

“you shouldn't have to worry about heat in Dolly Sods. IT stays pretty cool there. If it's warmer than 70, I'd be surprised.”

“the heat will rise when embear is around =)”

“I just posted a trip for the segment of the Cumberland Trail from I-75 to LaFollette.

After three years of hiking the GSMNP, I am getting a little tired of it (although there are still so many places I want to go in the park) and have decided to spend time in some of the lesser recognized parts of East TN this winter.

Trip details are on the trip page.”

“You might also consider hiking the other side of I-75.

The Cumberland Trail Conference is currently building new trail on the other side of I-75, the Smoky Mountain Segment. Almost 20 miles have been completed so far. See
http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/smoky.html
for a detailed description and maps. The maps and trail description were updated last summer, but several more miles of trail have been built since then.

The Cumberland Trail Conference will be organizing a group overnight backpack outing on 17.5 miles of the Smoky Mountain Segment on November 3 - 4. See
http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/act.html”