Loop Route 20-30 Miles

Scott down in Mississippi sent an email today: I am trying to plan a trip to backpack with a friend up there next weekend. We would like a loop trail or a series and trails that loop somewhere between 20-30 miles. Can you recommend a trail or loop to follow. We would like to camp backcountry and see as few people as possible. Difficulty is not a problem. Thanks for the tips.

If you will look at or download the new park map here:

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/parkmap.htm

My personal preference would be from the Savage Gulf Ranger Station to Hobbs Cabin and back, about 8 miles on the Rim Trail or 9 miles on the Plateau, makes a 17-18 mile loop.

If you are spending more than one night or want to cover more ground, from Hobbs take the Connector Trail down to the Stage Road Trail about 3.5 miles, up State Road about 1.6 miles and back to the Ranger Station on the South Rim Trail about 6.8 miles. Along this route you have camping at Saw Mill or Stage Road or Savage Falls.

For more miles you could also go up Collins Gulf to Collins East Campsite and come back on the Collins Rim Trail. That would add about 15 miles.

The best bet for seeing fewer people is to hike during the week rather than on the weekend. Have a safe trip.

Cheers,
Ron Castle

June 7 Annual Fishing Rodeo at Grundy Lakes

Meet Rangers Jamie Hambrock and Brent Smith for the the annual fishing rodeo at Grundy Lakes. The event starts at 5:30 am and will end with a weigh in at 11:30. This is a free fishing day when a license is not required. There are several categories with prizes such as biggest bass, biggest pan fish, smallest fish, the most fish, etc. Fishermen (and fisherwomen) must sign in before they fish to be in the running for prizes.

Many thanks to local sponsors including:

• The Dari-Delite
• Top of the Rock Hunting Supplies
• Mountain Outfitters
• Jacey's Cakes
• Piggly Wiggly
• Larry's Army Navy
• Caitlin's Lunch Box
• Video Center of Tracy City
• Beersheba Springs Market
• Family Dollar

Catch a big one!

Ron Castle

Water Sources for Backpackers & Hikers

A question came in over the weekend about drinking water in the remote areas of the Park: I'm assuming as remote as the SCRA is, that many of the springs along the trails have clean water good enough for drinking, especially if it's taken just at the source. Is this right? What do you do when you're on the trails?

Unfortunately, water borne pathogens are prevalent in all of the water sources in the park, particularly giardia. I use a good ceramic filter along with activated carbon (I use a MSR filter and have never had any problems). Don't drink unfiltered or untreated water in the park - period, unless you want to spend a lot of time in the privy using up all of your precious paper!

Seriously, you don't want a giardia infection. Read more about the symptoms:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/giardia-infection/DS00739/DSECTION=3

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Message from Park Manager John Christof

In case you wonder how the Friends help and support the Park, this message from John Christof sent to the Friends board today should be informative:

Friends,

Today we have a big group of Tracy City elementary school kids enjoying a field day at the visitor center. It is raining so they are using the picnic shelter that you so generously donated. If it were not for you we would not be able to host this group of 60 children and many teachers and parents.

Conry and Phillip, our maintenance employees from Stone Door, arrived here this morning in the new Ford truck donated by the Friends to pick up supplies. Phillip said that when he went to get the donated truck that he was as excited as if it was his own. No longer do we have to cram four employees in a truck. Finally we can comply with state policy that says we cannot do maintenance in the emergency blue light vehicle. Finally we do not have to use the trash truck to do law enforcement patrol and emergency medical runs.

Ranger Hambrock is buying prizes for the Grundy Lakes annual fishing tournament. He can do this because the Friends have offered to sponsor the event. We are under orders [from the State] to "buy nothing unless it is an emergency", so it is thanks to the Friends that children and families can look forward to a wonderful event on the park on celebrating "Free Fishing Day". I asked Jamie to fly the Friends banner proudly at the sign up table.

I could continue to list wonderful things that the Friends have done to make South Cumberland a better park. However, I need to go now to take 60 children on a tour of the visitor center exhibits. Your generosity and kindness is magnified by the laughter and smiles of these children and I hope that the happiness that they feel today some how finds its way to you through this email.

Thank you for all you do.

Posted by Ron Castle

Backpacking Gear Rental in Nashville

Eariler this week Ross from Nashville, a new participant to backpacking, asked me if I was aware of any places in Nashville that offer gear rental. The answer was no.

He came back to me via email today and advises that REI in Brentwood

http://www.rei.com/stores/64

And Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

http://www.brmsstore.com/insideBRMS/store.php?storeID=15

Both have gear rental. Thanks, Ross, for the information update to the Friends blog.

Any other providers in the region who want to be included in the blog please contact me, thanks.

Cheers,

Ron Castle