Mt Sterling GSMNP in December

“I may try to make this trip, but I might try and do it in two days instead of three.”

“My plans are to backpack there early in November. I hope to be in good enough shape to go up the Baxter Creek Trail.

Usually I stay there for three nights. Then I almost always have at least one good day with some nice views! I enjoy seeing more than just the rabbits playing below the tower.

Almost always I have combined the trip with one or two nights at Laurel Gap Shelter.

Hope you all enjoy your trip.
last edited: 8/29/08 6:54:49 AM”

“I'm a pretty strong IN for this trip”

“Me too!!!”

“I'm in. I have Friday off as well.

I heard Mocs say he wants to go UP the Baxter Creek Trail, and carry all our beer”

“I hiked UP the Baxter Creek trail onece upon a time.

That's a mother of a lung buster!”

“yoose guys can cart the beer but maybe leave the OTHER STUFF at home :)”

“whats all this talk of other stuff

has trailtalk become a hiking cypress hill concert?”

“....more like john denver....”

“I wouldn't be afraid to try and tackle the trail uphill, even though it does look like a long, sustained, steep, climb, and doesn't look like much fun, but I would be scared to try to hike a mile with a TT groups beer.

I might hike in to CS 36 or 37 late Friday night and meet you guys, or just hike the 10 miles to CS 38 on Saturday. Five miles is a little short for me, even with the killer climb up Swallow Fork Trail.”

“If you want to make the hike longer, then that's all good too.

On the infamous trailturtle trip of a few years ago, for instance, we hiked from the Davenport Hilton up to Camerer and then around to Walnut Bottom, with some going on to Mount Sterling.

Does anyone else want the hike to have more miles? Looks like the crew signed up could probably do it.”

“I am not complaining. I will probably need to work on Friday anyways, so I am just turning a 3 day trip into a 2 day trip for me. That being said I still might just hike up Friday night in the dark to meet you guys. I will just see how the weather is and how I feel.”

“i'm a wuss, i don't need more miles. But you always need someone to bring up the rear in case you guys drop something...like snickers bars, or kewl expensive titanium gear”

“Something I just thought of.... If I recall, there's a few sections through Walnut bottom thats a little sloppy, depending on the rainfall.

So just maybe think of that when choosing shoes/boots.”

“Maybe for me. Crash...carpool?
I may have a rental car for this due to my Jeep being in the body shop.”

“This trip is going to be COLD!”

“reservation time? we making them separate, or one person calling?”

“It is coming up on that 30 day mark isn't it. Just let me know if I need to call.”

“The reservations for camps are now registered with the Park Service.

The first night is at 37.

A maximum of 8 hikers are allowed to camp at the sites.
last edited: 11/11/08 1:41:26 PM”

“Thanks Precision!”

“From where I live, ' lately it looks like Opie's beer 'll be the frozen kind....

...rest of you dorks sign up.... oughtta be a fun trip... two weeks down to go....”

“I did a very similar trip a while back, but I included the outer loop, instead of the inner loop. Depending on the weather, the inner loop will most likely be PLENTY.

Friday evening, 26May06: We will hang out in Big Creek campground Friday evening.. should be there by 6 or 7.. might be a few other friends show up as well.. should be a good time..

Saturday, 27May06: Big Creek Trailhead to Mount Sterling (#38) campsite (approx 6mi) using Baxter Creek Trail. Climb firetower, gush over the views, howl at the moon, whine about water source being so far away, and contemplate why the campsite area is known as the �devil�s bedchamber.�

Sunday, 28May06: Proceed to Walnut Bottoms (#37) campsite (approx 11mi) by following the Benton MacKaye trail past the Swallow Fork and Pretty Hollow Gap intersection, following the ridgeline of the Balsam Mountain trail, stopping for lunch at Laurel Gap shelter (whining again about water source being so far away), switching to the Gunter Fork Trail until we reach the campsite area at Walnut Bottoms. (NOTE: There is a 6mi alternative using the Swallow Fork Trail to Walnut Bottoms (#37) campsite if easier route is needed. )

Monday, 29May06: Return to cars (approx 6mi) by using the Big Creek trail, enjoying the waterfalls and swimming areas”

“Yep. We actually hike.

Cold is good. One year we went the long way 'round over to Camerer from the Davenport Hilton, down, and some went on to Sterling back to Big Creek.”

“Precision I'm sorry to say I'm probably going to have to bail on this trip,not definatly but more than likely.I'll know by mid week!”

“We'll miss you.
...maybe next time...”

“Extended forecasts are predicting a low of 11* at Mt Sterling on Saturday night! burrr!!!

Hope you get to make it Spam, but if not, I'll catch you on the trail soon.”

“Hey iffin I don't make it I still expect to see both of you at Linville in January!!!”

“i'm still a go, find out tomorrow if i still get friday off, i might have to hike in to walnut bottoms in the dark, but it's an easy in.

Mocs, don't forget my trekking pole if your still coming.”

“I will be coming but as of this time, I wont be there until Saturday night (I plan on hiking from Big Creek to Mt. Sterling on Saturday). In that case, I can either bring your poles to you Saturday evening or (if you are using other poles) I can leave them in the truck and you can get them on Sunday. Your choice.

Spam - I don't think I can make Linville this year. Unfortunately, I have another commitment that Saturday.”

“Mocs123 - Where do you find weather forecasts for Mt. Sterling?”

“I wish I had a better source, but I used the National Weather site forecast for Cosby, TN (1340 ft) and subtracted 3.6*F for each 1000 feet of elevation change.”

“What time's ev'ryone showing up? I'll be at Big Creek around 9 AM.”

“Mocs123 - Thank you.”

“NS-
come on along....”

“I'll be at the trailhead about 10am on Saturday, and will just meet up with you guys at CS#38”

“chelle is in the hospital. I'm out
will msg you guys later”

“I hope everything's OK Opie. Let me know if I can do anything.”

“Best wishes for her Opie.
Rocksee, are you coming?
last edited: 12/03/08 10:14:48 AM”

“Precision and Mocs I'm sorry but I have to work on Saturday and I'm also having a bit of an issue with my daughter right now! Hope you guys have a great trip!”

“Hey SPAM, thanks.
May you have the wisdom and the patience you need for your family.

We'll see ya soon.”

“Spam, I hate it that you can't make it, but I understand sometimes things take priority. I hope you get everything straitened out with your daughter. Hopefully we can do another trip soon.

Precision - It seems they are dropping like flys. I won't be there on Friday, but I will meet you at #38 on Saturday. How many do we have now, 3?”

“I haven't gotten any email nor have I seen a post from Rocksee.... so maybe 2.”

“Friday night at Walnut Bottoms - Appx 17*
Saturday night on Mt. Sterling - Appx 9*”

“Things have been 'knarly-dude' at work. I'm a little knacker'd so I'm not leaving here until in the morning, and if you are hiking with me you probably should go on to walnut, Rocksee, if you should see this post. I have the web on the phone so I'll check this tt thread if you've got some info for us.

Mocs, thanks. I'm bringing my -20 bag and vapor deal + warm clothes. What ought to be REALLY cold is up on the fire tower.”

“Trips like this make me wish I had a -20 bag. I will be using a 0* bag, but will be experimenting wearing trail runners in the cold/snow. I just hope my feet don't freeze!”

“Mocs,
Since it's pr'b'ly you and me and you're going to to sterling sat night, I'm just going to wait to leave here until late Friday night / AM Saturday morning - say about 3 or so.

I have to face it, there are things here I've got to do today.”

“I should be leaving here around 7am in the morning. I will have my cell with me (Do you still have my #). I'll see you there on Saturday.”

“Nowslimmer - I am not sure how accurate this is, but this link lets you pinpoint any location in the park to get a forecast. The only reason that I question its accuracy is it doesn't seem like the forecast is cold enough. Of course, I hope I am wrong and they are right.”

“Are you going in via Big Creek, or the short way? What time do you expect to be at the trail head?

Send me your phone number again, please.

I'm outta here later tonight.
last edited: 12/05/08 4:10:39 PM”

“I plan on going in via Big Creek/Swallow Fork/Mt Sterling Ridge and out via the Baxter Creek Trail. I hope to be at the trailhead by 10:30 or so.”