Overnight Idea for Young Kiddos and Older Dog
David from Nashville is planning to bring his 10 year old son, 13 year old daughter and 11 year old dog to South Cumberland this Saturday for a hike and overnight. A short non-strenuous hike first afternoon, a 3-4 mile more strenuous hike the next morning.
First point, David, is that there is no car camping at South Cumberland other than the TVA campground at Foster Falls which is managed by TVA (and there is modest daily fee). This campground is very popular this time of year.
The alternative is primitive campsites close to the parking areas at Savage Gulf and Stone Door Ranger Stations.
If you camped at Stone Door, you have the 2 mile out and back to the overlook which is easy. Next day you could hike the Laurel Trail to Alum Gap and go a little farther to Greeter Falls, come back on the Big Creek Rim Trail to the Stone Door overlook and back. That would be about 5 miles with lots of great scenery.
Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a lead at all times. Around the Stone Door overlook or any other place in the Park where kiddos are close to the edge of the bluff, teach them about the climbers' rule and about the potential for vertigo. Be safe, have fun.
Cheers,
Ron Castle
First point, David, is that there is no car camping at South Cumberland other than the TVA campground at Foster Falls which is managed by TVA (and there is modest daily fee). This campground is very popular this time of year.
The alternative is primitive campsites close to the parking areas at Savage Gulf and Stone Door Ranger Stations.
If you camped at Stone Door, you have the 2 mile out and back to the overlook which is easy. Next day you could hike the Laurel Trail to Alum Gap and go a little farther to Greeter Falls, come back on the Big Creek Rim Trail to the Stone Door overlook and back. That would be about 5 miles with lots of great scenery.
Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a lead at all times. Around the Stone Door overlook or any other place in the Park where kiddos are close to the edge of the bluff, teach them about the climbers' rule and about the potential for vertigo. Be safe, have fun.
Cheers,
Ron Castle
Labels: Dogs in the Park, Kids First Overnight
posted by Ron Castle @ 9:31 AM
1 Comments:
At October 30, 2007 9:01 AM ,
GQkudzu said...
During my 6-year-old's fall break earlier this month, we decided to spend some time in my hometown (Tracy City). One of my main goals was to take Jacob on his first overnight backpacking trip. And I didn't want it to be just anywhere. I wanted it to happen in South Cumberland.
A hundred yards into our hike, Jacob tells me his back is hurting. I look down at his Star Wars pack, contrast it with the 40-pound Kelty my own shoulders are bearing.
"You'll be okay. Just keep walking."
He's gone on a number of day hikes with me in the past, so this 5.5-miler is no amazing feat for him. He impresses me with his maturity, his ability to face his fears.
I've chosen the location for a reason. South Cumberland, Stone Door, Fiery Gizzard are all part of my upbringing, and I'm hoping Jacob will develop an affection for the natural areas that played a role in my own development. His mother and I have already talked about how he'll react to 1) the suspension bridge (he's afraid of heights), 2) nighttime in the woods. He handles both with minimal hesitation.
Before daylight on our second day, I re-start our fire and wake him, invite him to sit with me as the sun rises. We talk about our day, about school, about friends and my own outdoor experiences. And we think about all the backpacking trips we'll hopefully take together in the years to come. This is the moment that's still on my mind today. I mark it the highlight of our trip.
When our trek is over, he doesn't say a lot about it, but I'm pretty sure it's been a positive experience for him. I'm certain of this four days later, after we've returned to Kentucky, as he and his brother play in the loose dirt of a flower bed. He calls me over and says, "Look, Dad."
I glance down at the mound of soil he's pulled up and divided. He smiles. "I made Stone Door."
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