Two Night Backpacking Trips (Taking it Easy)

Frank D. sent an email message over the weekend saying: I wanted to get your thoughts on a two night loop traill. I am taking my wife who is not a very avid hiker and I thought I should get the input of someone who has hiked the area before. I am thinking of the following route.


Day 1  Enter the park at Stone Door ranger station and hike to Alum Gap camp via the Laurel Trail

Day 2  Take the Big Creek Rim Trail to the Connector Trail to Sawmill Campsite.

Day 3  Connector Trail to Stone Door Trail back to parking

Will this be too much?? Too difficult for a rookie hiker?  If there is any other route you might suggest?  Thank you for your help and for creating such a helpful website.

Hi Frank,

Thanks for your message.  You did not tell me your age.  Regardless, when I see wife and not very avid hiker in the same sentence, I  have two different ideas for you that are likely to be more appealing to your bride.  The Connector Trail is the toughest trail in the park, my opinion.

First idea:  Savage Gulf Ranger Station to Savage Falls Campsite and then go do some day hiking to Rattlesnake Point or Dinky Line.  Day 2 to Stage Road Campsite, a short move, and then go do some day hiking on the Stage Road Trail.  Day 3 back to Savage Gulf Ranger Station.

Second idea: Enter the park at Collins Gulf, either camp at Collins East Campsite (very close) or hike to Stage Road Campsite.  If you go to Stage Road, Day 2 hike back to Collins East and do some day hiking down into Collins Gulf.  Day 3 is a short hike back to parking.  You could also stay at Collins West Campsite, but it is too close to the parking area to make me happy (but I have camped there).

Have fun, give her the lightweight pack.

Ron Castle

Two Night Father Daughter Backpacking Trip

Allen sent this message over the weekend: My daughter and I want to do a 2 night backpack starting next Friday morning. Do you have any suggestions for a good loop? We are both fairly experienced and and in good shape so we don't mind a harder trail. We are coming up from Florida and have previously hiked in the Cohutta in Georgia. We heard about Savage Gulf and would like to try something new.

There are lots of options available but at the moment the most spectacular would be to see the wildflowers in Collins Gulf, which will also include several waterfalls and MAY REQUIRE a wet crossing (meaning wading the creek).

Look at this previous post about doing a Collins Gulf loop:

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/2008/03/collins-gulf-loop-hike.html

Depending on how ambitious you are, night one at Sawmill, night two at Stage Road or night two back at Collins East.

Or, from the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, Hobbs Cabin out on the Savage Gulf Rim Trail and back on the Plateau Trail with two nights at the cabin and a day hike down to Sawmill and back is a good option. Or, Hobbs night one, Sawmill or Stage Road night two.

Plan for all kinds of weather from near frost, cold rain and high temperatures near 80.

Cheers,

Ron Castle