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Topic: Short notice 2-3 day trip, North GA, NC, TN

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Post Number: 1

SteveD0

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Posted on: Mar. 06 2013, 12:00 am

I recently mentioned my desire to spend part of spring break backpacking to a colleague at the college where we both work, she seemed quite interested, so now my pipe-dream may have some potential if I can throw together the details by next week. But I have very little experience in the southeast, so I could use some guidance.
Coming from IL, I'd like a drive that is around 12h or less. I'm thinking a 3 day loop with some nice scenery and maybe some waterfalls. A challenging hike is fine.
I would also imagine a place to shower would be nice before we hit Memphis for St. Patrick's on the way home

Post Number: 2

Drift Woody

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Posted on: Mar. 06 2013, 10:59 pm

Skip to the previous post in this topic.

I'm not sure how much snow is at the high elevations, but the Shining Rock Wilderness in North Carolina has great mountain vistas (6000'+), cascading creeks, and waterfalls. A variety of loop options are available, but I'll describe the 3-day loop I hiked in November 2010.

Start at the Big East Fork TH on hwy 276 just north of the BRP. Day 1 hike 4 miles up the Shining Creek trail to the Art Loeb trail south of Shining Rock, and camp. There is a water source just off the east side of the AL trail a little south of the SC trail. Explore the quartzite outcropping a short distance to the north on AL that gives the wilderness its name. If you have an extra day, dayhike north to the summit of Cold Mountain then back to Shining Rock.

Day 2 hike south along Art Loeb over the summit of Black Balsam Knob (6214') to Graveyard Ridge trail (these trails meet at the access road off BRP). You'll have opportunities to take side trips off GR trail to see Upper Falls & Second Falls. The latter is larger and involves hiking through the scenic Graveyard Fields. Rejoin the GR trail and camp nite 2 just before it crosses Yellowstone Prong.

Day 3 turn left on the Bridges Camp Gap trail where the GR trail almost touches the BRP.The BCG trail heads north then turns east into the Big East Fork trail where it meets the East Fork of the Pigeon River, which it follows almost all the way back to the TH.

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/shining_rock_wilderness.htm

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We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
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Post Number: 3

SteveD0

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Posted on: Mar. 07 2013, 2:13 am

Thanks, I think I'll see if I can get some word about the trail conditions tomorrow. The NPS site mentions road closures but they didn't say why, and their webcam wasn't working.

Post Number: 4

Drift Woody

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Posted on: Mar. 07 2013, 7:24 am

The BRP is sometimes closed at the highest elevations in NC until April, though I don't know if this means the trails are impassable. The area around Shining Rock (camp nite 1) is well over 5000' so bring what's necessary to stay warm.

Plenty of other options in the Southeast where wintry conditions wouldn't be much of a concern, but that's the only 3-day loop I've personally done other than GSMNP (also high eleveation).

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We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
-- Native American proverb

Post Number: 5

topshot

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Posted on: Mar. 08 2013, 10:12 am

Memphis seems pretty far out of the way for the area you listed. How about explore some areas in Shawnee NF, Land Between the Lakes or Natchez Trace SP?

Post Number: 6

Upstream

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Posted on: Mar. 13 2013, 2:09 pm

(topshot @ Mar. 08 2013, 10:12 am)

QUOTE

Memphis seems pretty far out of the way for the area you listed. How about explore some areas in Shawnee NF, Land Between the Lakes or Natchez Trace SP?

Or maybe the Ozarks? Not sure what's over there, but probably closer to Memphis.

5 replies since Mar. 06 2013, 12:00 am

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Forums » Destinations » Southern » Short notice 2-3 day trip

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