RRG ECT II

“After carefully weighing my options for vacation time, I've decided that I am not going to go on this trip. I sure hate to miss it, but I've got to set my priorities. Ten days in Austria was just too tempting to pass up.”

“Hope you already purchased your airline tickets, skiracer.”

“I sent Walkincrow an email about a week ago regarding this trip and no reply yet. Anyone hear from him lately?”

“This Oct. 19-21 trip is just one month away but Walkincrow hasn't posted lately and nobody (to my knowledge) has heard from him in awhile. Hope you're OK Crow, drop in soon?!!!!!

In the meantime I'd like to keep the thread alive and the trip nailed down until Crow drops back in (hopefully soon). Really looking forward to the trip. Here's the plan from Crow's earlier posts:

THE TRIP

From Mountain Parkway(Slade exit) turn left, go under bridge to stop sign. Turn left on KY 15 go 1.5 miles to Ky 77. Turn right on 77 and go 3.2 miles, passing through the Nada Tunnel, to Martins Fork Parking Area. Trail begins 100 Yards southeast of parking area.

Hike Rough Trail(#221) to Koomer Ridge Trail. 6.0 miles.

Follow Koomer Ridge Trail(#220) to the Koomer Ridge Parking Area. 2.9 Miles.

Do the Silvermine Trail(#225) round trip. 1.5 Miles.

Do Hidden Arch Trail and rejoin Kommer Ridge Trail. 1.0 miles.

Follow Koomer Ridge Trail back to the Junction with Buck Trail(#226). 0.8 miles.

Take Buck Trail to Pinch'em Tight Ridge Trail(#223/100). 1.5 miles.

Hike Pinch'em Tight Ridge Trail to Tunnel Ridge Road. 1.3 miles.

Road walk to Gray's Arch Parking Lot. 0.2 miles.

Follow Daniel Boone Hut Trail(#209) back to Rough Trail. 0.6 miles.

Descend Rough Trail back to the Martin Fork Parking Lot. 0.75 miles.

Total milage 16.55

WHEN AND WHERE TO MEET

(Also from Crow's earlier post:)

Meet at the trail head/ Martin's Fork parking lot friday evening (19th), 6 pm or so and try to hike for about an hour. That should give us about an hour of light to make camp.
Return to cars Sunday evening, a couple hours before sunset.
_________

I've never hiked RRG so any of you veterans please weigh in if anything is unclear.”

“Steve,

Let me suggest an alternative route to the trailhead for those new to the area. While longer, it provides a great overview of the area, including some of the more spectacular arches.

From the Slade interchange, make a right onto 15 instead of a left. Follow this to route 715. Turn left into the Gorge.

At Chimney Top intersection, make a left. Follow it to the end and make the short hike to Chimney Top. Return to 715. Go left. Follow it to Sky Bridge, and explore the arch and area. Return to 715.

Go left. Decend to Red River Valley. When you cross the concrete bridge you can, time allowing, make the short hike to Moonshiner's Arch.

Continue on 715 to Gladie Creek Visitor's Center. Stop and explore the cabin there.

Continue on 715 until it ends at 77. Follow 77 left to the Martin's Fork trailhead.

This is only a couple of hours out of the way, but very worthwhile.”

“Calling Walkincrow...”

“I wonder if the Wild Dog That Lives In The Woods And Eats Bares is stil ther?
/o:3”

“(sniff) I 'll be there if all goes well. I'm looking forward to it. I just returned from doing a few miles on the AT south of Lake Watuga and then a hellava bushwack down Moreland branch thru the rhodas to Laurel Fork Trail. and back north towards the lake. What blast!!! No bears but did see plenty of bear dukey. I mean huge piles!!!”

“Guess what folks, it's exactly ONE MONTH till the Oct. 19-21 RRG trip. Here's an updated list. Is this right?

Walkincrow
Evergreen
Budder
Bpbaby
Brier Rabbit
Buddha Bear
Spam
Creekjumper
Jerbear
Jezebel
Swiss Miss/Rolex?
I-am-OM?
Gojo/Sarabelle?
Sirpete?
Colonialmiss?
Steve Hiker

WHERE'S WALKINCROW? Walkincrow, Walkincrow, why hast thou foresaken us?”

“Oh, forgot TXwoodswoman.”

“I won't be able to make it the 19-21st. Sorry to miss it, have to work.”

“Anyone flying in? To what city?”

“Sorry, I don't remember saying I was going.

Beings I'm in a wedding on the 20th, I'm gonna have to back out of this one guys.”

“Did I imply I was coming, Steve? Didn't mean to.

We'll just be getting back from Michigan (salmon fishing) then, with not enough turn around time to get ready.

Sorry. Sounds like a fun trip.”

“I still plan to come but with the current situation , who knows!”

“If you responded to this thread but didn't say whether you're going or not, I put you down as a maybe with a ? mark. Buddur, don't know how you got on the list, thanks for responding.

Anyone else care to confirm whether they're going or not, or not sure?”

“I prolly mite be ther
/o:3”

“I just got back from a weekend in the gorge and a few who were interested in this trip asked for my input. We hiked the Koomer Ridge trail as a loop, starting and ending at the campground. This section of trail has some fairly steep sections with very little in the way of switchbacks. If you're accustomed to hiking on the flat you may want to prepare for this,I'm used to hiking hills and my legs are a bit sore. There was plenty of water available even though it has been dry and many of the smaller creeks were dry. I would recommend either on your way in or on your way out heading up to Chimney Top Rock (off hwy 15). It's got an overlook with a view of nearly the entire gorge. I also recommend a drive through the gorge on state road 715. It runs along the bottom and has some fantastic scenery. The leaves are starting to change, I'd say they'll be at peak or just after peak by the weekend of the 19th.”

“It's just over 2 weeks till the RRG trip. Here's an updated list. Everybody still in? Anyone wanna jump in?

ON BOARD:

Walkincrow
Evergreen
Brier Rabbit
Buddha Bear
Spam
Creekjumper
Jerbear
Jezebel
TXWoodswoman
Me

MAYBE ???

Swiss Miss/Rolex?
I-am-OM?
Gojo/Sarabelle?
Sirpete?
Fritz?
Sklukaz?”

“Two weeks away foaks. Leaves should be spectacular.

Anyone hear from Crow?”

“Saw a couple of crows but did not try to speak to them. I will be on this hike and be there fri am! if not thurs. Yo bear!”

“Just this minute got in from a day spent hiking in the Gorge.

Perfect weather. Hope the ECT has the same.

Leaves are just beginning to turn, and, if this cool weather holds, you should have a spectacular fall light show.

Plenty of water in the creeks, by the way, so water should not be a problem.”

“Count me in.”

“Steve -

I won't be able to make this RRG trip, I am doing shining rocks the next weekend and then the Grand Canyon in Nov.

Keep me posted on the Dec pre-trip for the January trip to ARK. Planning to do both of them!

Tex”

“ok, who's all commin to this hike?
Commit.........?”

“Can't. Sorry.”

“i might head to savage gulf.”

“walkindude, how late do they let you park there and head out?”

“Hey guys,

if you are planning to use Silvermine Arch trail for this trip, you might want to use an alternate route. The forest service has it listed as closed

http://www.r8web.com/boone/TRAILsta.HTM

Have a great time otherwise.”

“Can't make it this time guys and gals I'm gonna try to make the Shining Rocks in NC trip instead.”

“I'll be at the trail head / Martin's Fork parking lot Friday evening. Gotta drive up from Tennessee that day.”

“I'm in. I'll also be at the Martin's Fork parking area sometime Friday.”

“No Spam!!!, No Rad!!!, Who's gonna lick the bottom of the bottles and eat the worms????

What no BPbaby!!!!!

Who's bring the cooler????”

“Sorry I can't make it, gotta work sometime! LOL”

“OK, WHOS IN ON THIS HIKE?????I am gonna be there fur sur.”

“If nothing major happens between now and then I should be there with a buddy and my flea bitten tarp walking dog.

HOw about a head count???”

“I'll be there. I'm bringing my hikin' pooch as well.”

“Yea, head count!”

“What gives here. Why "no response"? Did I miss somethin? Evidently Walkincrow has migrated elsewhere.”

“you three have fun!”

“Briar and Skul, any idea what time you will be at TH? Tryin to plan 1st nights camp.”

“u u u u u uu u u u u u u u u”

“u u u u u uu u u u u u u u u”

“d d d u u u u u u h h h h h h h”

“One thing is for certain, I'll not be there
Though this place is one I would like to see
Fun could be had, to again hike with jerbear
Someday soon I think, if I can get free”

“I don't know yet what time I can be there. I have family coming into town that day and so my schedule's a little up in the air right now.

What happened to everyone else? There were about a half dozen that chimed in on this one. Where are you all?

Hello, anyone else out there?”

“steve hiker will be there but he is in the smokies until then”

“Sklu, send me an email,,please.Jerbear@backpacker.com Thanks”

“Sklukaz, A daytime/eve. phone # would be helpful
I look for creekjumper to show up she is busy with her daughter.
Some of the crew are on hikes and I am just anxious. Tryin to figure out to wait at th or go in 2-4 miles and set up camp! Lookin forward to meetin ya,ll!”

“We're starting at Martins fork trailhead. I will try to be there by 1:30 or 2'ish. Most likely without my buddy(midterms) and possible the dog but we'll see.

What trails/loop again?

Where did everybody go?”