Gregory Bald

“Let me know what you think of the 3 options that I have put together. I would be happy to adjust things if you guys and gals want to do something differently.”

“I can't speak for the crowd, but given that I live in Townsend, I will probably drive up to the Trailhead and go up from the Cades Cove side and hike back down to my Jeep on Sunday.

About 5 or 6 miles to CS13 that way.”

“Hey chili, That seems a tad more doable for me. I need to drive home sunday.
Mocs, what do ya think? Will also cut down on the chiggers and snakes. LOL Yo bear”

“The trip plan dates appear too early. Join the crowd from mid-June to mid-July to more fully experience the beauty of the Flame Azaleas.
last edited: 2/10/08 9:07:24 AM”

“You never can tell what dates are best at this time of year.

A three foot snow above 4500 in early April can have an impact.

The problem Mocs is faced with is that trips take planning.”

“Also, keep in mind we all don't have to go up on the same trail. Just need to know where to meet.”

“So, you're counting on snow to cause early blooming? A three day weekend in early July might be better. I would try to allow additional time on different days for taking photographs between the rain storms.

I'm only trying to help. I do not plan to attend.

Chili (with one "l") - I seem to recall a four mile climb from the parking lot at the end of Forge Creek Road. My map says 4.1 mi. to the next trail junction, which is at the campsite. Once, hiking from CS#14 and eating lots of berries on a hot August Day, I did not make it to CS#13 and stopped about a mile downtrail, when it got dark. I had been delayed by bears on the trail. They were eating the berries, too. I declined to argue with them. I enjoyed two, great experiences. I was in a small grassy area along the trail and in my tent. A bear, walking downtrail, did not want to detour in the rough terrain off-trail. So it gave me a warning growl before running past my tent. Then, after a while, I heard two Great Horned Owls hunting. They finally caught a rabbit just outside my tent. Then they went off somewhere to enjoy their meal.

I suggest setting traps for the mice, if you park there. At that location I would set one in the trunk, one in the front seat and one under the hood. I have caught mice there.

There are over 2,000 feet in the altitude change between CS#13 and CS#95 and between the Gregory Bald Trail and CS#92. It has been rough for me hiking down, especially to CS#92.

It should be a great trip. Have fun.
last edited: 2/10/08 10:52:35 AM”

“I figured that that option 1 (Twentymile) or Option 3 (Cades Cove) would probably be the best. Coming up the AT from Fontana was a little too long considering how much of a climb is. I also hear lots of good things about Gregory Ridge Trail.

I have never been to Gregory Bald during the summer so if you think that is too early; I am not against changing the date. We could change it to June 21-22 or to July 4-6 (we could make it a longer loop for the three day weekend) if you guys would rather do it then. I don’t even have a problem with waiting till closer to the date to set a permanent weekend if you want to. I just figure some people will need to make arrangements in advance at work.”

“Mocs, the bloom didn't happen until July in 05, but in 06 it was earlier. It is a crap shoot.

A late snow will delay the bloom. If things stay as they are, mid June will be perfect.

I say we keep the date as is and hope for the best.”

“MDS and I did this as a daytrip a few years back. I think we went the last weekend in June and missed peak by about a week or so. There were plenty still on the trees but most were dying.”

“We can keep the date the same, at this point it is kind of like planning a trip to see fall color, the timing is a crapshoot. I was planning on doing another hike later in the month anyway, I was thinking of Roan Mountian, so maybe if I don't catch the bloom at one, I can catch it at the other.”

“You might look at swapping the trips datewise. If memory serves, the Roan rhodo bloom is early in June. You could hit both of them if you time it right. My wife and I hit the bloom perfectly a few years back. It was awesome.”

“If anyone else wants to sign up for this trip, please let me know. I will be calling the back country office tomorrow and reserving spots at campsite #13.”

“Because I need to see my daughter that weekend, I am out. I can pick her up and get to the Summer Blast, so, that's were I will be.

Unfortunately, I can't log in under the old "chili" handle to take my name off the list.”

“where he goes, I go..”

“I wil not be able to attend this hike, Some other time perhaps.”

“Too bad Jerbear...was looking forward to seeing you again!”

“Sorry you can't make it Jerbear, maybe next time.”

“Though I have not planned at all to attend this, thought I would let you know the Flames @ Mt. Rogers, Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, are starting to bloom in tree cover and the ones in the full sun are full out.”

“Mocs does that mean that you and I are IT right now?I think that Govmentmule wishes to attend but he doesn't have the Net right now to sign up.”

“I may have a couple of friends that might come along now that mass exodus has occurred, but by all means tell Governmentmule to come along.

I am also thinking of just coming up early Saturday morning if that is OK with you. We only have a few miles to do on Saturday, and That Friday starts the Riverbend music festival in Chattanooga and I was thinking of watching that nights concert (The Black Crows). What do you think?”

“Sure thing.If we come up Saturday it may be mid to late morning bfore we get there.Or we might go ahead and camp somewhere else on Friday night.By the way if you are having second thoughts about the trip just cancell.What I mean to say is if the festival sounds more interesting to you go man!
last edited: 5/28/08 3:58:20 PM”

“No, I still want to go on the trip. The festival is a week long event, and I pick and choose the nights I go anyways. I know we would start a little later on Saturday, but with only 5ish miles to go that day, I don't think it would hurt us any.

I could also miss the concert if needs be, it's not like it would be the end of the world or anything. Even if I do go to the concert, I could either drive up late that night or early the next morning if I need to, but I thought we would still be fine if we left by 11AM or so. Just talk it over with GvmtMule and let me know what you want to do. My crew and myself will make it happen what ever time you want to meet.”

“I'll let you know bro!”

“Me and Govmentmule are still down for this trip but the only thing that I can see maybe getting in the way is getting my house hooked up to public water. I am doing about 90 yards of trenching to lay the pipe today but those asswipes from the water dept are procrastinating on putting my meter in and I paid for the sucker last week!I'm getting a little aggravated at them right now.”

“They are supposed to have it in tomorrow so we're probably still in for the trip.Dynamonkey may go but I haven't heard from him yet!”

““Me and Govmentmule are still down for this trip but the only thing that I can see maybe getting in the way is getting my house hooked up to public water. I am doing about 90 yards of trenching to lay the pipe today but those asswipes from the water dept are procrastinating on putting my meter in and I paid for the sucker last week!I'm getting a little aggravated at them right now.”
Spam

I have been working for 4 months getting an irrigation tap. $7500 of waiting
Just paid last week?...first they will do an underground utility survey, then process the request, then...I say go on the trip.”

“"Mileage: 4.1 to Campsite 13"

Mileage: 4.1 uphill to Campsite 13”

“That is cool, just let me know. I think I only have one going with me now, so there are plenty of spots open. My wife was going to go as well as some friends of ours, but now my wife has decided she has better things to do, and my buddy said he will probably stay and work at the restaurant he is opening, but his wife is still going on the trip. She hasn't been backpacking much, but has gone on a few trips with us before.

What do you think about doing the Gregory Ridge Trail there and back? The only advantage I see with that is that it would save the drive on Parsons Branch Road as the road is still two way at the Gregory Ridge Trailhead. I have never driven Parsons Branch Road so it may or may not be that bad. I am up for either so just let me know what you Dynamonkey and Governmentmule want to do.

I am thinking of meeting at the trailhead at ~11:00AM. Does that work for you? It is about a 3.5 hour drive from Chattanooga.”

“Your the planner!”

“Is parsons branch the one that leads off the cades cove loop to the first GB trailhead? I hope they did alooooot of work to it when it was closed last year. but i saw no signs of maintenance...that road looked like it had been closed a long time when i hike a bit down it to "check it out"”

“Mocs whatever time you say is cool with us and whatever day is cool as well.We go up and camp somewhere Friday night we haven't decided just yet”

“cades cove is your closest bet, be in your car after the morning bike/walk and you'll beat the traffic and see some nice stuff”

“Informed by my girlfriend that I have "80s John Waite" hair; information was not relayed in the tone normally associated with compliments.”

“Okay and that has what to do with this trip?”

“is john waite....bald?”

“

"cades cove is your closest bet, be in your car after the morning bike/walk and you'll beat the traffic and see some nice stuff”
OPIE

Ha! Watch the bike/walk and maybe see some nice stuff!”

“Let's meet at the Gregory Ridge Trailhead around 11:00 A.M. (Spam I will email you my Cell #). I will stop at the Cades Cove visitor center and get our backcountry permit. We will leave one car at Gregory Ridge Trailhead and head up Parsons Branch Road (hopefully it isn't too bad they did a lot of work on it last year) to the Gregory Bald Trailhead. When we get to the Gregory Ridge Trailhead on Sunday we will shuttle back to the Gregory Bald trailhead and we will all follow Parsons Branch Road out to US129.

As for a shuttle vehicle, I will have a truck, which is fine unless it is too dusty. So far I only have one person coming with me which would make a total of five if Government Mule and Dynamonkey come with Spam. That means we have a couple of spots available if anyone else wants to show up. I have reservations for 7.”

“Got 2 spots for Gregory's Bald CS #13 saturday night.

Starting from Twentymile up wolf Ridge and back down long hungry.

e-mail or post if interested.”

“anyone want my 3 spots at 13 for this saturday. I'll be in the cohutta instead, and campsite 71 next saturday”