Big South Fork - Mid March 2007

“NOTE: For those of you who might be coming to Big South Fork from the North – you can bypass going through the park by following the directions below:

Take Hwy. 92 west to Yamacraw Bridge. Once across the bridge immediately turn left onto Hwy 1363 toward Bell Farm. Once at Bell Farm you will see a Forest Service road to the left that goes toward the Bell Farm Horse Camp. Follow that road a short distance until you see the Peters Mountain road to the right.”

“I'm going to drag along some firewood for Thursday night just in case the pickin's are a little scarce? If anyone else has access to some cheap/free hardwood for our campfire Thursday night, please consider hauling a few sticks with you when you come? Thanks!”

“I'm hikingtiger (well, I used to be until I forgot the password). I'm a husband, dad of three boys (1.5, 3, 6) and contract to the Army in Huntsville. I'm relatively new to backpacking, but I've dayhiked quite a bit. Don't know yet if I'll make this one. Got a trip with the family over spring break and may have a work conflict. We'll see about that.”

“hikingtiger1 / Do you have anything to do with RED STONE ARSENAL (NASA) there in Huntsville??? . I have been in your area much with work in the past.”

“Fridge, I am at RSA. The NASA folks like to call their few acres Marshall Space Flight Center, but MSFC is entirely encompassed by RSA. You part of the crew moving down here?”

“Not part of the crew, I worked the FBI there.”

“TD, you really think you'll need to take firewood to BSF? Are there any trees even still standing down there?

Last time I was there, the rangers were practically begging us to have a big campfire, but not start a forest fire.”

““Not part of the crew, I worked the FBI there.”

Gotcha. My wife used to do that...in Detroit. I always questioned the mentality that thought a blue-eyed blonde could "blend in" in the metro Detroit area.”

“Ductape: Don't have any idea, but from what I seem to remember (rangers were practically begging us to have a big campfire) as well that you are abolutely right.

However, just to be proactive, and to also take into account what if it rains several days previous -- I'll have dry firewood in the back of my truck.”

“Weather.com states the average temperature in the BSF the weekend of the trip to be 55 for the high and 31 for the low. Of course that is just an average so it could be much warmer or cooler than that. Is this the temperature range that everyone is expecting?

I think I have everything arranged at work, so the only thing that could keep me from going is the temperature. I generally don't go backpacking below freezing and am not really comfortable in my gears ability to do so. Would anyone be interested in looking at my gear list and giving advice? I still should have time to add/upgrade items if needed.”

“Wow. Winter backpacking is the best time to go!!.. but anyway to each their own.

A serious question you asked, so I'll try to give you a serious answer. Just my two cents.. and I know nothing about your gear.

No cotton, no jeans. Bring a good base layer. Prepare for rain, prepare for swollen stream crossings.”

“by the way.. what's on your menu .. anything good to eat from your backpacking dinner table?”

“I may not be able to make this trip since I can't drive up until Friday night. You all will have a day on me and I don't see anyplace to meet up”

“I am taking Enertia Trail Foods for lunch, either Backpackers Pantry or Mountain House for Dinner, and a few granola bars for snacks.

BTW if you have never tried trail foods, they are better than either Backpackers Pantry or Mountain House, and in smaller "single serve" packages.

http://trailfoods.com/”

“I know they have recently released black bears in BSF. Should we be prepared to hang our food?”

“Ewker -- You know we won't make it to Divide road by Friday night. Park at Rock Creek or where the trail crosses Divide road, and backtrack toward Rough Creek. You will mostly see us as we break camp the next morning.

Mocs123 -- I'm carrying some Enertia for convenience but tend to "bring my own" when it comes to backpacking food. Glad to hear you are checking out various brands though. It definitely makes a difference!”

“I'll second that Trail foods is better. Maybe I'm the only one but Mountain House is really really hard digesting, which is exactly the last thing I want happening on the trail.”

“OK.. Just took off the days from work. So you can count me in. If anyone is coming from the Chicago Area, or Indy(which I will be going through) and wants to car-share I'd be game.”

“I'm experimenting making some chili, all with dried versions and meat substitutes for ingredients. Other than that I have a few things in mind, but at least for the chili I'll try to bring enough for a few people.”

“I've got about 5lbs of ground beef (deer). I'm still considering the possibilities -- but considering Mexican quesadillas.”

“5 pounds eh? That's quite an amount of ground ground venison. How many people are you planning for?”

“I haven't decided if I'm actually bringing all of it. I can't even decide what I'm cooking yet.

Maybe I'll have some time this weekend to get my menu figured out.”

“Well.. if you are planning on having enough for everyone, there is no reason why you should have to haul everything in. Let me know if there is something you would like me to haul with me, or something I can contribute to the group meal..”

“Thursday night. Cooking Tx-Mex Tortilla Soup at home, packing it for transfer to campsite along with suitable cooking pot and cook rack. Hope to use coals from fire to warm it back up. Should be good as people come in.

Friday night. Seem to be on a Mexican theme. Quesadillas. Who doesn't like a good backcountry dinner. I figure I'll pack in green onions, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.. etc.. along with some flour tortilla and my backcountry frypan.

Breakfast you are on your own, as well as lunches.. but there's a start toward a menu for the weekend.”

“Thursday night is the car camping, If anyone has a request for drinks I'll take that, and I'll load down my Coleman.”

“The Big South Fork got a little wilder last winter when park rangers began an experimental release of black bears deep into the park's backcountry. In January, rangers transplanted six pregnant females from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and outfitted the bears with radio collars that allow researchers to track them. Park biologist Robert Emmott calls the release successful, since the bears and their cubs have stayed near their release points. A second release of six females started this summer.

The experimental two-year release was prompted by the natural migration of wild bears into eastern Kentucky and by research indicating that the Big South Fork could provide sufficient food and shelter to sustain a bear population. The study data will enable park managers to plan for the possibility of a wild bear population.

The reintroduction is designed to minimize interactions between bears and people. The transplanted bears, which have no history of nuisance activities, were released into a remote area where it is unlikely that park visitors will see them. If the experimental release is successful, and the bears remain within park boundaries, a natural population of bears may soon inhabit the Big South Fork.

--Hiram Rogers”

“I'm eating military style, Airborne Ranger food, plenty os carbs..............
(myrky/If anyone has a request for drinks I'll take that)fridge says, you bring it , I'll drink it.”

“wow, you guys are impressive. what can I bring? how about chips/salsa for thursday night; let me know what to contribute for fri...i normally eat tuna or a power bar...this sounds MUCH better...

also, I'm still planning on bringing wood for thursday night..see you soon!”

“Meals Refusing to Exit?”

““Meals Refusing to Exit?” Yep some times the food does not exit.
yo TownDawg, I'm back from FYAO so I'll be calling you this week.”

“Fridge -- Good deal sir.”

“Before commercial logging and coal mining transformed life along the Big South Fork, the area’s subsistence farmers occupied individual homesteads which were loosely clustered into settlements connected by the churches, general stores, and one room schools that served them.

No Business Creek

No Business was one such community located along No Business Creek.

Album List

”

“I am out of this trip”

“Eddy -- yeah, I was thinking you might drop, and trekkingirl has to work, and crash bang was there a month ago..

I'm still hearing rumors of other people not listed who ARE coming --so who knows.

We just show up and go with who shows up!

-- but another time. :) Keep in touch my friend.”

“No...I don't have to work Towndawgy. :)

I got off work but my friend is coming in from California that weekend.

I'll get with you soon hopefully.”

“i would go, but i dont return home from the grand canyon until the 11th”

““i would go, but i dont return home from the grand canyon until the 11th”


Lucky Dog!!”

“http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast3.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipcode=38556&metric=0

Go ahead and laugh.”

“What is it they say?? "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear." Right.

Unfortunately I'm out on this one. Family sickness over the last several weeks has taken it's toll on the amount of leave time I have. Momma has promised some trail time when we get back from a family trip to West Virginia over spring break. Y'all have fun.”

“So, it might be a little cooler than normal? And maybe a little bit of rain, and a little ice.. :P I'm up for the fun. Friday night looks like its the only uncomfortable night, after that it should be a walk in the park..”

“I just checked the weather, it's already improved since yesterday...I'm DEFINITELY in!”

“woah.. That is actually I pretty big change there. They had us down for ice storms, with wind chills in the single digits. Awesome :)”

“Towndawg,

are we getting one group permit and all pitching in or should we pick up our own permit on the way in? I would say the visitor center closes at 4 or 5...in case anyone hasn't thought about this. I plan on arriving before dark, so I can pick up a permit (group or single) on my way in if need be. Can't wait to meet everyone!”

“I'm picking up a group (most likely I'll get it for 10, but this is why I keep trying to get an accurate head count) permit, but getting it in Jamestown. I'll take care of it.

Express Market Deli
(931) 879-8132
436 N Main St Jamestown, TN 38556


Cherokee Trails Country Market
(931) 879-0895
2880 Pickett Park Hwy Jamestown, TN 38556
last edited: 3/01/07 3:44:38 PM”

“Which forecast better represents the temperatures we will experience? They seem to very greatly given their close proximity. This could be due to an elevation difference, but which one should I look at for the most accurate forecast (It will change what gear I bring)

this one:

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecast2.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipcode=38556&metric=0



or this one

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/TNBISO:13”

“In the past ten days I've seen the forecast change greatly from day to day, and almost hour to hour. They are predictions -- no more, no less.

Some advice? Bring extra equipment. Don't make your final decision until we are ready to head out.”

“Sounds like TownDawg is a veteran.........tellam like it is dude............”

“Ok, I'm bringing chips/salsa for Thursday and firewood; what do I need to bring for Fri's meal...just let me know.

Towndawg, don't forget I'm bringing my daughter, that makes two (Friday is her birthday)

Weather's looking great!”

“Stokley -- If you are feeding you and your daughter.. then you should put your (combined) needs above the group.. In other words, you have plenty to consider.. dont worry about any food for us whatsover.. I'm sure theFridge, TownDawg and Tabasco are quite capable..”

“30 plus years experience.........”