Big South Fork in February

“Crash,
Here a decent route fer ya.
I think it has all the best stuff and is doable as a three dayer!!
I would recommend that you check with the Rangers about the trail conditions though!!

Here ya go!!

If you get when you select all acting Creek right and all of them my uncles house Start at Bandy Creek Visitor Center
Take the Katie Trail north to the Jacks Ridge Loop Trail.
Take Jackson Ridge Loop Trail north to Laurel Fork Creek Trail.
Take Laurel Fork Creek Trail North to the Black House Branch Trail.
Take the Black House Branch Trail to the Chairit Creek trailhead. (You'll have to walk north on the Chairit Creek trailhead access road for about 1/4 mile to get to the Chairit Creek trailhead parking lot.
Take the Chairit Creek Lodge trail north to Chairit Creek Hostel.
Take the Twin Arches Loop Trail northwest to the Twin Arches, stay there and climb around on the arches for an hour or so.
Continue on the Twin Arches Loop Trail to Slave Falls Chairit Creek Trail.
Take the Slave Falls Chairit Creek Trail to the Slave Falls Loop Trail.
Take the South branch of the Slave Falls Loop Trail to Slave Falls. Be sure to go down the small access trail to the falls themselves and take some pictures. This access trail actually goes right past the falls and ends up back on the Slave Falls Loop Trail.
Continue on the slave falls Loop Trail Southeast to the Laurel Fork Creek Trail.
Take the Laurel Fork Creek Trail to the West Entrance Trail.
Take the West Entrance Trail to the Collier Ridge Trail Loop
Take the Collier Ridge Loop Trail to the West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail.
Take the West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail back to Bandy Creek Visitor Center.
There ya go yer done.!!

Enjoy!!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Oh Crap!!!
Ignore line 6!!
I have no idea how that got in there!
See ya later.
Randall Roettger”

“How many Miles Randall and please put that in Randall miles.”

“that sounds like a good plan, randall. i say let's do it!”

“the meeting time and itinerary are posted. now, is there any other way that i have failed to please you people?”

“Pardon my piss. I was surprised by how little information was posted at the trips page. I knew it was in TN only because of the icon. You put on a good hike - why wasn't that mentioned?



One question, then I'll hike my own hike:
WHERE IS BRANDY CENTER?!”

“from onedia, take 297 into bsf. after crossing the river at leatherwood ford, turn right on bandy creek road and go about a mile”

“looking at the map, i'd say that route looks around 22-23 miles (estimate)”

“I guess the next thucking fing for people to b!tch about is that i havent declared where the campsites are going to be

well, guess what? im not going to tell you. show up at the visitor center on time, stick with the group, and youll find out

i dont know the area well enough to know where all the good campsites are, but i can look at the map and get an idea where some good campsites might be. to do this loop in 3 days, we need to do about 7-8 miles per day. day 2 will likely be the longest day. probably around 10 miles, with the 1st and 3rd days 6-8 miles. dont hold me to those numbers. this is just some educated guessing. anyone who wants to get an early start, get the map, then get with me to go over the route, and we'll see you up the trail.

also, if everyone who i think is coming is ready before 10, we may leave early. just signing up on the trips page doesnt count, cuz guaranteed every trip, people sign up, but never contact the trip organizer, post to the threads, or bother to show up. so, if you think youre going to show up, post on the thread, or contact me. we may leave before 10 if everyone is ready. my info is on the trip page”

“also, if youre a slow hiker and are concerned about getting left behind, dont fret. there are lots of turns that have to be made, so we will have to stop often to make sure everyone makes the correct turn. i advise everyone to buy the natl geo trail map, or at least stick to someone who has one. it is a very convoluted trail system, and it is easy to make a wrong turn”

“Oh ya want it in Randall miles huh??

Ok!

I think it's close ta 5 miles!!

Yup, that outta be right!!
See ya later
Randall”

“i have tried to update the trip info several times. but the edit feature does not work most of the time (yea, rly!), so youre GONNA have to check the thread for updates!”

“new here but live an hour south of bsf.. if you guys get this going i would enjoy tagging along any weekend but the 20th.. hiked every trail in the park and would enjoy going again. let me know if i can help with anything.. thanks Jangles (AT ga-pa09)”

“ you guys get this going

this thing is going. next week”

“sorry misread, sent you an email crash”

“I'm not going to make this hike. I have a new dog and am still training him. The agreement in my house is that if I want a hiking dog, I have to take him with me when I hike. I don't know if he can do the miles day after day yet. He will be ready by spring.”

“Ahh, take the dog. If the dog is 13 weeks or older, no problem. Ah unless its a poodle.
last edited: 2/06/10 11:47:03 AM”

“I think he will be fine. I've had him out and he seems to be able to handle it. Perhaps better than me, lol.”

“So, your going ?”

“her going?”

“Yes, I'm goig.”

“Crash

Coyote820
Jake
UncleB

We are coming and should be there Thursday Night.”

“Notice to those who want to bring firewood with you...certain states have non-native insects that can cause damage to our native trees. The emerald ash borer is now located in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Canada. It is one of those pests which we do not want invading Big South Fork. Firewood brought in from these states is prohibited. Please do not bring firewood with you that may carry insects pests. Be prepared to buy or collect your wood once you arrive at the campground. To download an informational PDF (285 kb) on the Emerald Ash Borer click here
last edited: 2/08/10 10:42:54 AM”

“http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

you will want to go to bandy creek
last edited: 2/08/10 10:45:30 AM”

“Hey All,
If your going to hike that route that I proposed then you will need to download maps 4 and 6 from the link above.
See ya later.
Randall”

“didnt we camp at the campsite near jakes place the first time i hiked with you?”

“ranall are you coming to this?”

“yes we did.”

“Crash!!,
I cannot make it. I wanna go but, life is getting in the way again!!

Sticks told me about Jakes place as well and it is a primo spot to camp.

See ya later.
Randall”

“Damn life!! Keeps getting in the way of fun.”

“Crash are you still planning on Camping at the Trailhead by the Canoe Put In or are you planning on camping at Brandy Creek Campground?”

“Hey Eman, if you make this trip and stil have extra esbit stoves pls bring me one to buy or whatever. I never emailed ya since your address is not on your profile.
later”

“Can't get Friday off.....another time maybe.”

“been checking the weather. looks like it's going to be as cold as a witch's tit”

“Friday High 38 Low 16
Saturday High 38 low 19
Sunday High 41”

“latest weather

Friday High 41 Low 24
Saturday High 43 low 26
Sunday High 42”

“that is better”

“what town do you use for forecasts? i use oneida”

“Same.
Does anyone know if they have snow on the ground?”

“what about pants on the ground?”

“they gotta go somewhere.”

“Man i wish i could go since this is so close. Alas one does not get valentines weekend off when one works in the city's best and most romantic restaurant.”

“If we are still planning on camping at Jake's place, I think Bandit and I will start at the Charit Creek Trail Head. that way we can hike the whole look and check out the twin Arches without me worrying about it being too many miles for him on his first day.”

“If I've figured it right that would put me at about 6 - 6 1/2 miles for Friday. If anyone one else be interested in this route, let me know. Otherwise I'll see you at Jake's place for camp Friday night.”

“Im brining my microspikes incase there is snow on the ground
later”

“What time is everyone heading out? I'll be leaving after work.”

“We'll be leaving early in the morning and should arrive by around 9. See everyone at Bandy Creek!

Windigrrl, yes, there is snow on the ground.”

“Station Snow 24-hour 24-hr 24-hr Observation
Name Depth Snowfall max(F) min(F) Time (Local)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allardt 3 2.1 24 18 7:30am 2/11
Erwin 1 W 1.5 25 19 7:00am 2/11
Jamestown 3 0.1 24 17 7:00am 2/11
Livingston Radio Wliv 1.0 43 18 7:00am 2/10
Manchester #2 0.2 33 20 6:10am 2/11
Milan Exp Stn 2 35 13 7:00am 2/11
Morristown Wfo 2.0 27 19 12:00pm 2/10
Newcomb 1 0.1 43 19 7:00am 2/10
Newport 1 NW 0.5 29 20 12:00pm 2/10
Oneida 0.2 25 17 7:00am 2/11
Paris 2 SE 1 33 16 6:00am 2/11
Somerville 10 N 1 7:00am 2/11
Springfield Exp Stn 2 31 14 6:00am 2/11
Tazewell 1.0 44 19 7:00am 2/10
White House 1 31 13 6:45am 2/11
last edited: 2/11/10 8:02:42 AM”