The Other John Muir Trail

“Yes, I posted a trip. The world must be coming to an end. ;)

I've never hiked this trail, so I'm looking forward to it!”

“Keep me posted tenjen. I will be there.”

“the BMT follows this trail for a while then breaks off it. I will keep an eye on this trip.

Have you done the other JMT in Tn. It is in BSF and is approx 50 miles long.
last edited: 3/07/11 6:36:21 AM”

“No, Ewker, I haven't done that trail either.”

“Hmmmm, squirrel season opens the weekend before, and trout.”

“Hmmm, so what are you saying, muddy?”

“Food in the trees and water”

“Does this mean you are supplying fresh squirrel and trout for dinner each night?”

“The trail can be "muddy" in places and is prone to flooding if the river gets up. Be sure to check the flow before going. And yes this was the trophy trout section at the lower end of the trail.”

“With my past success, no way. We did not catch one squirrel last season.”

“So, bring backup unless you want to starve ;)”

“i live about 15 min from the trail and fish the river for trout all the time.they actually did away with the trophy section as of march this year.anything you need or questions you have just let me know.i spend a lot of time in the area and know the trail very well.”

“How do you, remove a section of a river, lol.”

“just took the trophy regulations out this year,do you live around this area
last edited: 3/10/11 2:37:13 PM”

“no, just hunt around in the WMA”

“anything you need or questions you have just let me know

Thanks, blazintrail”

“blazintrail - Do you have any links to detailed trial maps and descriptions for this trail? Thanks.”

“John Muir National Recreation Trail
The John Muir National Recreation Trail (#152) follows the Hiwassee River upstream (east) from Childers Creek for 18.9 miles to FR 311 east of Coker Creek Scenic Area and TN 68. Muir walked along the north shore of the Hiwassee River in September of 1867, making a note in his journal on September 19 stating this was an impressive river with a fine forest, multiple falls, and forest walls as vine-draped and flowery as Eden.

Had he walked the banks in spring he would have seen many wildflowers in bloom, as hikers see today. Bloodroot, fire pink, trillium, trout lily, squaw root (Conopholis americana), bishop's cap, and wild ginger are among those in evidence.

The first 3 miles of the trail are easy going through a meadow, and then it passes between the river and high bluffs of metamorphic rocks consisting of quartz schist, mica schist, mica slate, and micaceous quartzite. The trail leads away from the river, where rhododendrons and hemlocks cover the bluffs, into a marshy area. At the end of the easy 3-mile section is Big Bend Recreation Area with water and sanitary facilities.

Big Bend takes its name from the sharp southerly bend in the river. The trophy trout section begins here and runs west to the L&N Bridge in Reliance.

Three miles farther is the Appalachia Powerhouse, which has drinking water and sanitary facilities. A suspension bridge hangs over the Hiwassee River. Although this is not part of the trail, it offers a good view of the river and its banks.

The trail continues along the river to the Narrows, where there are some interesting rock formations caused by erosion. In about 3 more miles the trail runs along the top of a bluff furnishing a spectacular view. Coker Creek joins the Hiwassee River just beyond the bluff. Primitive camping is allowed here near the Coker Creek/John Muir parking lot at the southern end of FR 22B.

The remaining 7 miles run along the river and through the forest of flame azalea, mountain laurel, and rhododendron that bloom in early summer. Many hikers forgo the last mile of the hike and stop at TN 68. The last difficult leg leaves TN 68 and ends at FR 311.

Directions: From Etowah go south 9 miles on US 411, turn left (east) on TN 30, go 6 miles to river bridge in Reliance next to Webb's Store, go over the bridge, take first right (east) on FR 108, and continue for 0.5 mile to parking lot.
Trail: 18.9 miles, one-way.
Elevation: Begins at 600 feet and ends at 1,100 feet.
Degree of difficulty: Ranges from easy to strenuous.
Blaze: John Muir Trail blue markers.”

“i do not have any links but i do have all the maps and have hiked this trail many times.the time of year we are going should be good and we shouldnt have to worry about the trail being muddy because that is a spring problam.just need to watch out for snakes while we are out,there are certain sections that have copperheads and timber rattlers and we will probably see them.send me a message and i will give you my cell number,you can keep in touch and i can answer any questions about the trail you need to know.let me know what you want to do about shuttling cars”

“Im looking forward too this trip....as far as i know im going...but it all depends on my boss if he will let me off three days..but i have been on part of that trail with blazin, its actually very nice, in pretty.”

“Trubit, are you and opensesame the same person?

Blazintrail, my email address is on my profile. Muddy has hiked this trail before too, so he will also be helpful in helping us plan.

The only information I've had about this trail is what I've been able to find online. I finally ordered a map. Hopefully it will come in soon.”

“Trubit, are you and opensesame the same person

yes they are along with Nanette and The Wraith”

“I looks as though we have someone coming on this trip with several multiple personalities ;)”

“Tenjen where can I come up with a map. Trip sounds like a good one. I need to get out and see something different.”

“coyote, I never found a good map online, so I bought a map. This is the one I bought: http://macvanmapstore.3dcartstores.com/Cherokee-National-ForestTellico-Ocoee-Rivers-Tennessee-Trails-Unlimited-Map-by-National-Geographic-_p_156.html

It's a great map.”

“Changed our mind we are going North to Manitou Island for the weekend”

“Hey ya'll, I need to know how many of you are for sure planning on going on this trip. If it's not many, I probably won't be going myself. The person I was planning on traveling with has backed out.”

“An unwriten rule says that you can't pull out of your own trip, even if you are the only one going. And you are required to submit a trip report!

I hope to attend this one.”

“I was a maybe on this trip but unfortunately I won't be able to make it.”

“I've gone back and forth on this and have decided I'm not doing this trip. My son will be at youth camp this weekend and I really don't want to be gone the whole weekend just in case something happens. Sorry ya'll.

I do think I will be joining TownDawg's day hike

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1940.php”

“yippee. :)”