Mammoth Cave Trip Report

“Coyote, Corn Muffin (aka Mrs. Coyote) and I met up with Chin Music at the trailhead after acquiring the back country permit for Sal Hollow. Everyone got packed up and we were off. We headed out on Sal Hollow Trail. The weather couldn’t have been better for a January day. It was sunny and in the upper 40’s. It didn’t take long for Chin Music to take the lead. I found him sitting in his chair by a waterfall taking it easy. We waited Corn Muffin and Coyote who were not far behind. We all took a break there and enjoyed the scenery. We decide to meet up at the next trail crossing for lunch so onward we went. Again, I found Chin Music sitting at the trail crossing, cooking lunch. I joined him and the rest were soon to follow. We were at the place where Sal Hollow crosses Turnhole Bend Trail. At this crossing there is a sign that says, “Sal Hollow Campsite 2.2 miles”. Well, this is where I need to explain that Stomper and I had hiked this trail before in November and we didn’t find the campsite. So, I had called the rangers station last week and asked if they had a waypoint for the campsite. Someone called me back and gave me the waypoint. Based off from that and what the sign said, it looked like we were right on target, Yeah.
It was still early in the day, so Chin Music decided he would do a little extra hiking and take the Turnhole Bend Trail to the Turnhole Bend campsite as the sign said it was only 0.9 miles. Coyote suggested that he leave his pack and he would wait for him. Corn Muffin and I went on knowing that the guys could catch up with us easily. Sometime later, here they come. I asked Chin what he thought of the campsite? He said he hike around 1.25 miles and still hadn’t found it. At that point he thought it best to head back and join up with the rest of us. Again, onward we go. We were getting close to where the rangers waypoint says the campground is. We see no sign of a campsite. Everyone is looking. No campsite. Chin walks ahead and shouts from the top of the ridge, I’m going to keep going. If I get the next trail crossing, I’m just going to head for the car. I am still searching for the campsite. It’s got to be here somewhere. We are standing right where the rangers waypoint is, we have come a little over 2.2 miles, where is it??? Just about then, Chin’s voice echos down to us, I’ve found it! What, up there? Yeah, it’s up here. Okay, off we hike about another mile through switchbacks up the hill to the campsite. The sign for the mileage back at the crossing must be “Randall” miles. As Corn Muffin and I are making our way back and forth on the switchbacks, Coyote decides to head straight up the hill. About half way around, I hear Chin Music say, just come up the hill right here and you will save yourself about a ½ mile of hiking. I look at the hill, I look at Corn Muffin and up we went. We had somehow managed to get to the campsite before Coyote. A little later, here he comes. How did you guys get here before I did? Hehe.
Chin offers to go get water as there isn’t any at the campsite. I told him I thought that there was water closer by going ahead on the trail vs backtracking. Plus Stomper was coming in that way to join us. Off he went as others collected firewood. What a great place to find firewood for a campfire! It wasn’t long before Chin came back with water and Stomper. She had made it before dark!
Coyote decide to build a fire that could be seen from space. It took some to get it going, but once it did, it was a fire that probably could be seen from space. With a great fire and food in our bellies, we were happy campers. It was now time for Corn Muffin’s initiation as this was her first backpacking trip. She had been told, by Coyote, she would have to run around the fire three times without any clothes on. She wasn’t buying it. Nice try Coyote. Men. It wasn’t long till our tents and sleeping bags were calling. I was the first to go. I had started my morning at 4:30 and it was catching up with me.
Sometime during the night it started raining. We were all safe and dry in our tents. Around 9 am on Sunday, we all finished packing up our stuff and headed out. Did I mention that is was still raining? We hiked out 4 easy miles, in the rain, to our cars. With some quick changes of clothing, we headed to the nearest Cracker Barrow for food. It was a great trip with a good trail that was well marked. The campsite wasn’t bad, but it was on somewhat of a slope. It’s a good trail for beginners or those who want a relaxing hike.”

“Nice report. Looking forward to see you guys in a few weeks.”

“


Randall did you do the mileage to Sal Hallow Campsite 2.2 miles
last edited: 1/14/08 6:46:08 AM”

“Missed ya on this trip. Looking forward to seeing you at the deam!”

“Nice report....but....


Cracker "Barrow"? WTF?”

“LOL I can't spell!”

“aw....wish I coulda been there!!! how was the mud???”

“There wasn't hardly any mud on Saturday. Sunday was a different story, but after Adena the week before, it wasn't bad at all. lol.”

“You guys needed a third coyote along :P I really wish I could of gone this time!!!

But, maybe its a good thing I didn't. Y'all don't need any tornados there.”

“Windi
Nice report and what that stuff about Randall miles??? lol
good pics as well. Damm, I remember sunshine!! (Sigh)
See ya later.
Randall”

“You guys ended up camping where I thought. No flat ground anywhere. What the site still trashed? When I was there last, there was garbage strewn everywhere. A short uphill climb from a branch of the green, I can only guess that canoe campers stealth camp here.”

“Actually, it was clean. Didn't look like it had been used lately. The firepit didn't have much of anything in it when we got there. However, it was full when we left, wasn't it Coyote?! lol
last edited: 1/14/08 3:18:37 PM”

“have you been to the Turnhole Bend campsite? What's it like?”

“Hey,guys, I had a wonderful time. I'm feeling pretty good, not to sore. Next time, I will run around the fire (with clothes). It was nice to meet everyone, it's good to put names with faces. I'm looking forward to another backpacking trip.”

“Sal Hollow is not a typical location for a designated site. Water was quite a ways away and I'm sure the source I found would be dry 95% of the year. You'd have to know to water-up at the river before the climb. And WK is right, very few flat spots. Glad I got there first......heheh”

“Thanks for getting the water Chin!!! Yeah, I don't think there would have been water there most of the time.”

“Windigrrl, Thanks for all your help, the ibuprofen, really works. Maybe, if it warms up soon, we can go on another hike, or a day hike.

Chin, it was nice meeting you. I love your hiking companion, Mugsy (what a hiker). Thanks for getting the water for us and also, I'm sure glad you save me for doing that extra half mile.

Stomper, it was nice meeting you. Windigrrl told me alot about you. Coyote, told me that, you are a talker, and that your from Kentucky, what a good combination. See you after tax time.”

“I think cornmuffin is hooked!”

“We stopped at that one on our way back last April. Stomper and Chin were on that trip too!”

“Stomper and mugsy rock!!!!!

:) :) :) :)

(Just don't take any hush puppies that Stomper offers....as she only offers the ones that aren't any good!!!)
last edited: 1/14/08 5:16:26 PM”

“Sounds like another TT sucess!”

“Cornmuffin, glad you enjoyed your first trip. Big trip scheduled for first weekend of FEB down at the Deam if you aRE INTERESTED. aLWAYS A BLAST.”

“I don't know if she's ready for that much TT. lol”

“Hey guys! Great trip!

Can't wait to see a bunch of yous again like WK, Rocksee and Spirit. We gotta do something big this year! Maybe when Crash gets back we go on a trip.”

“Hmmmmmmm stomper could be onto something! :)”

“Great trip report. Sorry I missed your first trip Cornmuffin! Hope to catch another trip super soon...but...after I move.

[4 days until closing!]”

“Welcome to the madness CM!

Do I detect a "welcome back Crash with a bang" trip? It should be in the gorge or the Deam IMHO.”

“So you went geocaching... FOR A CAMPSITE?!?? LOL!

Sounds like it was maybe a 5/5???

hehehe...

Sounds like fun!”