Savage Gulf hiking in January

“I'll update the trip page tonight with this crap”

“Are you all confusing Saw Mill campsite with Alum Gap. Alum Gap is over at the Stone Door side of the park. Someone could reach the Cabin early enough on Friday to reserve it for the group on Saturday if that is what would be desired. Think of this, Stone Door on Friday night for those who arrive late, Saturday head over to Hobbs using the Connector Trail. Sunday easy hike over to Stage Coach campsite or Saw Mill and then Monday hike out to either Savage Station or Collins West Trail access. I can get to the cabin Friday evening if that is what is wanted. Remember the cabin would be real nice to warm up in during the night and there is also a camping site nearby for those who would rather. Also about the water at Hobbs Cabin, won't be a problem there in January, but over a the Stage Coach site it will be. Saw mill has water uphill at the springs.
last edited: 11/30/05 5:20:13 PM”

“Working on a trace of the park map to help plan the trip... will have it up about 1am CST.
last edited: 11/30/05 7:44:03 PM”

“Hello, everyone. Since the topo map of the SCSRA is so diffcult to read and large. I drew this trace of the topo map tonight so that we may more clearly plan the trip. Also so that those online will have a clear & simpler view of the park and our routes. It is designed for the web but may print out OK. Hope this helps. Just click on the snapshot below.
David

”

“waterdog, it's all good. I will not be able to get to Hobbs cabin until well after dark on Friday because of our drive down from Chicago.

I posted the route on the trip page. Tell me what you think of that. We can make changes to it if a better route is suggested.


tnprime - sweet link! You stayed up all night doing that?”

“I just talked to MDS about this trip, and he confirmed that the Stage Road spring (a seep, really) is often dry this time of year. So if we want to stay there Saturday night, we will need to camel up at Savage before leaving Saturday morning. For those continuing on to Alum Gap, there may not be a convenient water source until you get to the Big Creek Gulf trail. Schwoon Spring would be about a half-mile or so diversion from the Connector trail, but it would be worth it for those low on water.
last edited: 12/01/05 4:20:30 PM”

“Monday's hike out would be on either the Laurel Trail or the Big Creek Rim trail, correct? In the description you state Big Creek Gulf trail, which would be for masochists only...lol...”

“Thanks for catching that Bit, correction has been made.

You think we will be ok with water on day 2 Bit. Day one hike is only 6 miles so carring extra water shouldn't be to bad.”

“I think so, especially if you take a side trip to Schwoon to get some more. Plus I've been on the BCG trail in February, and the creek is usually running up there, before you get to the climb to Alum. So there are a couple of opportunities to get water on the way. You might even be better off than the people returning to Savage Station Sunday (me) because I don't see another water source on the way back.

Well there is Savage Falls, but you're almost back to Savage Station by then.
last edited: 12/01/05 4:35:27 PM”

“Actually I did stay up pretty late... BUT it is acurate as it is a direct trace of the park. I left out the location of the sinks cause I figured someone would be bringin one anyhow.

I think perhaps saw mill might be a better SAT night, personally, garanteed water at Schwoon, warmer at night generally, down hill at the end of the day SAT, about 8 miles in and a less strenuous hike the next day (about 6.5/7miles) so forth.Plus I didnt mention the anecdotal aspect of being in the middle, the heart of the park at the bottom of the gulch in those bamboo shoots with a bunch of rowdy hikers has a certain comraderie to it.... Connector is pretty tough between Sawmill and BCG would be easier after a nights rest.

Something to think over.
last edited: 12/01/05 4:43:13 PM”

“Yep, I thought that too.

Come on Bit, I'll carry your pack down.”

“Down ain't the problem, it's back up that bugs me. But we shall see. If I feel up to it okay.”

“That should be a nice outing,”

“anyone getting excited about the trip? I know with Christmas and NYE and all there is lot coming in the next few weeks, but I am excited about getting back out to the woods.”

“10 hour drive for me... I am excited about the trip but dreading the drive. Those in Chicagoland and points conveniently in between are welcome to carpool with Wounded Knee and I. First come first serve on the back TWO seats of my station wagon. You won't have to pay for gas if you ride with me. I have it covered.
last edited: 12/12/05 9:00:15 PM”

“You're driving 10hrs to hike with a bunch of TT'ers??? I can't believe that, are you nuts????

...err ...ummm ...nevermind ...ummm...I flew to Tampa, rented a car, and drove to Ocala to hike with a bunch of TT'ers...ummmm...I'll shut up now.”

“I'm damn excited about my trip, a fifty miler/three nighter in the sloughs of deep east texas. Just 15 days left till launch.”

“I live about 90 minutes from SG. I'll try and come up to see everyone and do some hiking. SG is one of my fav places.”

“Jimmy, I think IJ might want to ride with us. He lives in southern Indiana so we can pick him up on the way down.

That right IJ? You in, or are you planning on driving yourself?


Oh yea! I am getting excited about the hike. I am thinking about packing a little extra weight in the Gregory pack to see how the knees hold up. I have a doctor appt a week after where I will decide if I get the right one fixed.
last edited: 12/13/05 11:57:35 AM”

“Uh oh. I just realized I have a training class the week of the 9th which includes the 13th. I'll be in New Jersey, WK. That means I might not be able to drive with you on Friday. I'll still make the trip (I have no idea how) but I probably can't get out of the weeklong class on the last day. I'll try.”

“I live Mokena, in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. I would be willing to car pool with you Wounded Knee, your car or mine.”

“Don't worry about it Jim, it's cool.

I will drive Prosecutor. Can you drive to my house that morning?

I live in Highland Indiana right across the border.”

“Wounded Knee. I will drive to your house Friday morning, January 13, 2006. What time do you want me to arrive? Send me your address. The email on clicking my screen name is accurate. And thanks.”

“The problem is that I will be in New Jersey on Friday morning and in class for at least 1/2 of that day. I don't know what I am going to do. This class is a new thing. It just popped up as mandatory last week. It really messes things up. I am going to talk to the instructor and find out what I would miss if I skipped the last day.”

“I may have to play catch-up. The group is only hiking 6 miles on Saturday. I should easily be able to drive to SG and fastpack it to the camp site for Saturday night. If it's really flat, easy ground I can cover the distance in 45 minutes.”

“It is flat and easy but 45 mins? I dunno...unless you did some bushwacking which the park frowns upon and if you jogged the majority of it. I dunno, skip the class pretend it is HS again!”

“We may hike down to the Saw mill site for the night, so add 2 to 3 miles. You will be on flat ground until you hit the stagecoach downhill.

Prosecutor, you have mail.”

“He would be running that distance Prime.”

“DANG! Thats hardcore.

Sawmill is my plan it is a rocky downhill at the end of the day. I dont think my knee/hip combo can stand a Stage Road to Alum Gap one day especially with the limited daylight might even be pushing it. Now if I get some trekking poles for Christmas then that might push my hike length a bit.
last edited: 12/13/05 6:57:36 PM”

“I am thinking we will push to Saw Mill for Saturday night camp. I have to update the trip page.

You can borrow my poles if you want to.”

“Thanks WK we will have to see how the leg(s) hold up. Sometimes they can take it, just with the extra winter weight you never know.”

“I might have said yes, but I dont know how my toe will be then.”

“Hey Jimmy, you could go over to Stone Door and enter there. That would put you closer to either campsite.”

“Good point waterdog!”

“WK, have you changed this again?”

“Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to dig up a map to make sure I get this right. It's going to be a hell of a weekend!

I am still hoping to get out of the last day of the class. Depends on the instrucctor.”

“Jimmy San if you are talking about a park map, here you go, click on it:
”

“Thanks!”

“I just called the ranger station at 931-779-3532 to get a free trail map mailed to me. After getting my mailing address, I got the following information from the ranger.

Office hours for camping permits are to 4:00 p.m. when the office closes, but the Kiosk has a self registration after hours, and the camping is free.

The rangers have never had an incident with the cars parked at either the Savage Ranger Station or the Stone Door Ranger Station. The ranger checks every night.

There is no hunting in the park, and the surrounding private lands, the hunting is over with by January 13th.

No alcohol.

No guns.

No machettes, no cutting of live trees, and campfires from already downed wood. Small saws are okay for cutting small downed wood.”

“What about trapping?”

“Ewker, Just that we will camp at Saw Mill on Saturday instead of Stage Road.”

“Night hiking in South Cumberland is prohibited...anyone planning to hike after dark needs to know this...and it is enforced.

Rangers here WILL show up during the evening hours to check permits (keep your copy on your person), and they will launch a search for missing campers, so if you post Saw Mill, BE at Saw Mill....”

“My plans have changed. I'll be flying in from New Jersey to Nashville. I have rented a car so I'll drive to the Friday night camp and arrive just past midnight. See you all then!”

“I just read the bit about "night hiking". Ouch if the Friday night camp involves hiking. I won't violate the rules of the park so I may have to stay at a hotel Friday night. Can I get to the first nights camp site without breaking this rule?”

“There is a huge reason why that rule is there. There are so many cliffs and falls in this area that it just isnt smart to wander off in the dark.”

“The Friday night camp is at Savage Station. There is a campground right there at the station, no night-hiking required.”

“sweet”

“HEY JIM!

I just e-mailed you the wrong info. I guess I have too much wine at the company party this afternoon.

You will be fine. Don't listen to what I just sent you in e-mail. You will join us on Friday night/Saturday morning at Savage Gulf ranger station.


Now for me to report to the drunk thread.”

“no worries”