Mammoth Cave in November

“Okay, I got it now. Turned off the puter a few times and disabled pop-up blocker. Adobe finally kicked in. Thanks for the help everyone!”

“I'll check the popup blocker on my wife's computer and see if that fixes things there. Of coures rebooting is always sage advise! ;)”

“Cool! I am leaning towards the loop on the west side of the park call First Creek, I think. 2 close campsites near water are perfect for Saturday night. I am told this is a kick arse loop too!”

“Sass,
I see you on the list. Birch too I hope?
Changed my status to confirmed. This is going to be a good one! Thanks wk.”

“Are you talking about combining First Creek Trail, McCoy Hollow Trail, and the Wet Prong of the Buffalo loop into a weekend loop hike? I am only guessing from the map. I find the way the trails are labeled confusing.

Man, this looks really good to me...

Distances of the trails are given at:

http://www.nps.gov/maca/Trails.html

If this is the plan I may linger an extra day to camp in McCoy hollow or primative camp somewhere off-trail if this is permitted and practice orienteering.”

“COOL D! This really is shaping up!


That is basically what I was thinking. We can all hike as a group or split off and meet at one of the 2 campsites by First Lake. That is a reliable water source, one I know will not dry up this summer. The creeks are all dried up now. Hopefully they will get some rain from now until the day of the trip and we will see some moving water.
last edited: 8/17/05 1:48:04 PM”

“Yep, Birch is planning on coming too.


So WK,I'm looking at this map and wondering if we'd do as big a loop as possible? Any trails in mind yet?”

“Okay Sass, if you are looking at the map, glance over torwards the west side of the trails. There is a loop entitled First Creek Trail. I was pplanning on combining this guy with portion of the McCoy Hollow Trail and the east portion of the wet prong of the Buffalo trail.

We would start at the First Creek Trail head and hike what looks to be about 12 or so miles on Saturday to First Creek campsites 1 or 2. Sunday, contiune clockwise bacak around until we hit the First Creek trail head. That might be about 6 or so miles.

We can add more to Saturday if need be, I am game.”

“Sounds awesome!”

“I wanna do the wet prong!!!!! I remember seeing that trail sign there and wanting to do it and you guys were all like NOOOO not that trail :(

SC.”

“I wanna do the wet prong!!!!!

You have to be careful how you say that ...”

“Ha Ha! I think I added more mileage this morning. I want to check out the Sand Hill Cemetery that is on the Collie Ridge Trail. Tell me what you think of this:

Park at the First Creek Trailhead. Hike east on the northern section of the WET PRONG trails towards Raymer Hollow. Turn right or south on the Collie Ridge trail and check out the cemetery that will be on our left. (on the map, it is a cross) Now, because I want to hike the WET PRONG trail (Buffalo: hiking, no horses trail) we would have to double back. So we double back and take the Buffalo hiking trail, also know as WET PRONG south until we meet up with the McCoy Hollow Trail. Then follow this until we hit First Creek 1 & 2 Campsites. Back to the cars in the morning.

I am still looking at ways to add more mileage, unless we are happy with what I have set forth. I have no problem making this into a 20 mile Saturday. I don't want people canceling though because we decide to conquer the entire park in one day.

What do we think?


Also, we are only allowed 8 peeps per backcountry site. It is looking like we will have close to this number or more at this point. If we do have more than 8 at game time, half will have to reserve campsite 1, the rest will reserve campsite 2. We can probably all share the same site though and because we will have both sites, we can pick the best one when we arrive. So, if we have more than 8, we have to make sure not to register until all have showed up at the visitor's center on Saturday morning. When we know that all are present, we can split into 2 groups to fool the park staff. Only when we have parked at the trailhead can we stick out our tounges and say, "Na ne na ne poo poo!"”

“How about this:

First Creek Parking Lot -> McCoy Hollow Trail

McCoy Hollow Trail South -> Wet Prong of Buffalo Loop (@ intersection of Buffalo Loop and McCoy Hollow Trail)

Wet Prong of Buffalo Loop Trail North -> First Creek Trail

First Creek Trail East -> Collie Ridge Trail

Collie Ridge Trail South (past cemetery) -> Collie Ridge (Crossing Good Spring Loop Trail … Would the ridge be a good place for long and relaxing lunch break?)

Collie Ridge Trail East (very short backtrack) -> Good Spring Loop Trail

Good Spring Loop North -> McCoy Hollow Trail

McCoy Hollow Trail South/West -> First Creek 1/2 (Saturday camp)

I'll run the mileage on this tonight. I would want to do this BEFORE anyone committed to a hike I designed. I don't want to be accused of planning a death march!

This may add some mileage but also gets rid of the backtracking. I have no issues with backtracking. I am constantly amazed how different a hike looks when you walk it in the opposite direction.”

“That is doable as well. I like that, but as you said, don't know about the milage.

We can decide that route the day of the trip for all I care.”

“It's all good.”

“Sure is!”

“Look at the photos of the nice people with their horses on the Wet Prong Trail ...

http://www.bybarbarn.com/Kentucky%20story%20page%204.htm”

“damn death marches”

“LOOK OUT FOR THAT.....

Oh well, horse apple!

I would love the creek to be like that for us, but i am guessing it will be dry.”

“Death marching is cool!”

“I am in for whatever you guys plan, so I will confirm in the trip planner. I have all the papers and necessary clearances!”

“im in too, BUT I still need to get my rabies vacination.”

“What's your clearance, Clarance?”

“Wet Prong...hehehehehehe :D”

“Practice safe hiking ...”

“wear a rain slicker :)”

“Spirit Coyote: You need lepto too if you plan to play in the water ...”

“I have a pic somewhere standing next to the wet prong trail sign :) I should find it.”

“Hey pitts,

I wanna say that route you proposed is about 15 miles. HAve you had a chance to look at it yet. Mine is a rough guess. I had to stand on the train home and kept forgetting the caculations.

Day 2 is a measly 6.7 miles.”

“I looked at it. It also looks fine as well. I just put mine together as an alternate to avoid the backtracking. Like I said, I don't mind backtracking. I just tend to want a chance to take in as much trail as possible without having to rush and miss something.

I don't know what this group will want to hike in a day. I am verrrry easy going so as long as everyone is having a good time I am game for whatever.

So yes, I am just as excited about the trail you proposed as when I last saw it and said it looked good to me ... :)”

“I like your route better. We get to do both WET PRONGS!

What is the most you have hiked in one day?
last edited: 8/18/05 10:22:17 PM”

“19 miles, but that was slack packing.
last edited: 8/18/05 10:21:48 PM”

“23 pounds full pack.

Started out the next day and coverd another 5 (I think) then both knees would not cooperate anymore. Had to hitch hike back to my car.”

“thats a pretty light pack..”

“OOPS!

I is stupid. I meant

23 miles with a full pack.”

“A lot of people's knees would have given out even if they didn't have problems with them.”

“What is the most you have hiked in one day?

24.3 thru rocksylvania”

“Yep. The guys I was with just kept going like the E Bunny.

That was on the Quehanna Trail in your beautiful state Sarge. You ever hike any portion of it?”

“:) I love you crash, thats awesome :D”

“What is the longest I have hiked or what am I capable of doing now ... ;)

I ain't the pup I was in the Scouts!

I recently did a 25 mile day (about a month ago). I was tired but otherwise OK. If I had not been wet and pounded on by rain and if there hadn't been a damn burn ban and if it had not been so damn muddy it might have been fun too. Truth be known, I like it like that.

I generally hike alone and don't manage sitting still very well. So I generally have eaten and broken camp before sunrise and won't put up camp until I am afraid I will wind up eating in the dark (I have this phobia about not being able to see my food).

Please let's not shoot for mileage and have people miserable or worse still miss something good. I am just as happy getting drunk at a campfire, honestly.

The light second day would mean I would be comfortable with a more bust-ass first day.
last edited: 8/18/05 10:33:38 PM”

“No but it looks awesome. I've only hiked central and east to NE PA so far. I hope to hit several of the north/central trails next year when the knee is healed.”

“If you plan on hiking the Quehanna, let me know. The best hike I ever had!

It's all good Pitts. I am not going to be out to set any records on this hike.”

“What was wrong with your knee again? I have talked with a few people with knee problems these last few weeks and I am losing track of what's wrong with who. We should keep a site somewhere. It seems like I fall apart a little more each year.

Growing old is hell. Anyway, hope you get well soon.
last edited: 8/19/05 3:18:39 AM”

“The mileage is fine whatever you all plan, as long as it's a good eight miles at least. I can walk forever but might be a bit quiet around camp. Birch can walk forever and you'll never see a difference in him. I signed him up btw, hence the posting in his name.
Talked to the gramma tonight about watching the little one for us. Should have the definate go ahead soon.

~Sassafras”

“you guys and gals are gonna kill me, i know it”

“I have to look at my calendar to see what weekend I have the kids. If this is a kid weekend, I might try to find a shorter route and bring them with me. I will have to carry a ton of gear if I bring them.”

“pitts, if anyone wants to do a shorter route they can, the trails are there. All anyone will need to know is which campsite everyone will meet at that afternoon. Just remember it will be dark by 5:00 PM”

“Pitts don't worry, if we kill you Birch will give you sutures and we'll drag your body out on a travois. =D”

“Practice on that sleeping bag first!

I keep forgetting this will be in November. Too much summer hiking. I love cool nights!”

“Ewker is right. Everyone does not have to hike together. We will figure it all out when we get there.

Chili, We can help shuttle stuff for you if need be.”