Links, Logistics and Stuff Like That!!

“Hey all!!
Here is a link to the BSF website. It’s got lots of really cool stiff, including downloadable maps and a Goggle Earth link that is very neat to work with. If ya decide ya want to know more about the Big South Fork, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and talk to Howard Duncan. He knows the whole place and has even written a book about it!! Be sure to tell em Randall sent ya!! lol

http://www.nps.gov/biso/

See ya later.
Randall
last edited: 1/15/09 12:03:46 PM”

“Hey all!
Here's some more info about the Hostel. It’s called the Charit Creek Lodge and is only accessible by horse, bike or on foot. They have both dorms or cabins to rent. Walk ins are welcome, but if you are planning on going on a weekend, then you might wanna consider reservations. They have a cook available if you make reservations in advance with 6 or more people required for the meals. (That’s what Duncan Said!!) They will make a breakfast, lunch and a dinner that is served in the lodge dinning room which is really cool with a big stone fireplace. The cost in kinda steep at $73.33 per person per night, that includes the above as well as bed linens. There may even be showers!!! Yee Haw!! You can cook for yourself in the kitchen and then the cost is less. I will know more later.

Here’s a real good link about the lodge:

http://www.charitcreek.com/

Here’s what I stole off the website:

Charit Creek Lodge, located in the Station Camp Creek drainage offers a full range of amenities including cabin and dormitory rentals, meals, restrooms and showers. Access to the remote lodge is by foot, bike or horse only. Stalls are available and riders are encouraged to book reservations well in advance. For further information, write to:

Charit Creek Lodge
250 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862 or call (865) 429-5704.

See ya later.
Randall”

“im gonna chek into when this falls in relation to my spring break trip. ill keep you posted
later”

“I know of a great camping site not a 1/4 mile from Charit just downstream or Jake's Place is an excellent spot to camp with room for lots-o-tents and a good stream. Short hike to Slave falls or Twin Arches.

I also know a spot to park cars on the Grand Gap loop if ya want to cut out the boring hike out from Grand Gap and shuttle back to Bandy Creek.
last edited: 1/20/09 5:13:39 PM”

“Very interesting. Thanks for the invite Randall. I guess you saw my post about NEW places. I'll have to cqall myself a maybe for now. My work sched sux, but we'll see if I Can figger somethin out. I'd love to go.”

“Heya Randall...
Thanks for the invite but unfortunately Joe is out of vacation days until July...which really sux cause I would love to do this trip!”

“Good ta hear from ya buddy.
I sent you an email!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hey Meangreen!!
It would be great ta see on this trip.
Hope you can make it.
Randall”

“Hey Joe!!
Well that's too bad, Maybe next time.
See ya later.
Randall”

“thanks for the invite Randell. I'd love to go to BSF again, but can't right now. maybe next time.”

“Sorry, Randell I will be doing the sipsey? Question why sun-thurs? Yo bear have fun!”

“Randall: Thanks for the invite. I'd love to do BSF ( I was there in 1985, after it just opened). But the dates won't work. Thanks. I hope you have a good hike.. see you next time.”

“Bearbag,Jerbear, and GH!!
Maybe next time guys.
The dates are as they beacuse thats when I can go, Spring break fer me!! I have to stop and see Mom in Connertickyville and then I am heading south. Imigt throw in an Andena Trace thing as a shake down. The Hoosire Hiking Council has scheduled a trail claen up fer the west side and it should be open after that.
See ya later.
Randall”

“Thanks for the invite, Randall! BSF is one of favorite places and I just learned that Charit Creek allows dogs! Yeah! I have to double check dates to see if I can get off work but I'm hoping to be in on this trip.

Just double checking, we'll stay at Charit Creek one night, correct?”

“One night is the plan!! Not just sure which night. I am thinking that we should go Counter clockwise and that would put us there on night three. Of course, ya don't have ta stay there if ya don’t want too! Plenty of places to camp in the woods, lol
By going CCW we would not be doing all the big stream crossings until the last day of the trip. I will probably post the change later on today.
See ya later.
Randall”

“Im out. Ill be in vegas this week. I really want to get to this place sometime soon though.
Have a good trip! and thanks for the invite randalllllll.”

“Wow, Vegas!!
Have a good time and goto Lake Mead NRA
It outta be a good time to hike there!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hey all!!
I updated the info on the trip page concerning a different route. I used the email function to inform everyone about the change, but I think it is not working, oh well!!
Check it out!!
See ya later.
Randall”

“Randall wish I could make recovering for the back sugery I am hoping I can talk Jake into a 3 or 4 day canoe trip on lake monroe for spring break as I am going nuts here at the house.See Ya”

“Good luck with the recovery. I know how yta feel...things will get better.
See ya later.
Randall”

“LAKE MONROE SPRING BREAK OR A LATER AFTER IN THE BOATS”

“I didn't know if I was gonna be able to pull this one off with it being a mid-week hike.

But, I am now in, schedule cleared.”

“Goods news Chin!!

Ya bringing Mugsy?

I will start thinking about what night would be best to stay at Charit Creek lodge.
Most likely Tuesday night. I will call them and ask about reservations, availability and stuff like that taday.
See ya later.
Randall”

“I'll bring Mugsy if he is welcome and won't throw a monkey wrench in any of the hostel, or other, plans. I can easily drop him off at my son's house on the way. I haven't taken him on some of my recent big trips and won't be taking him to the Smokies in late April.

Randall - Let me know if dogs are welcome. I'm flexible.”

“All dogs allowed!! Thier also allowed at the Charit Creek Lodge!!

See ya later.
Randall”

“Great. Poor Mugsy must be starting to think I've forgotten about him. I don't think he's been out with me since Adena Trace. I think he'd love those creek crossings. I gotta make sure his hair is cut short so he dries quickly.”

“Hey all!

Looks like the email function is not working so, I’ll start posting stuff here.
As of today, 2/18/2009, the Charit Creek Lodge (the Hostel) has openings for the night of March 31 and April 1. We could make either nights, but I would be leaning towards the night of 3/31/2009.

Here is what I got from their website

Hostel-type accommodations are available for a maximum of 12 guests. We
are not able to provide a private unit for under 12 hostel guests. The hostel
rate includes use of showers and restroom facilities and use of the common
area except during full service meal periods. Kitchen privileges are available
with one designated cook from your party. Due to remoteness of our lodge,
we regret that refrigeration is not available. No meals are provided.
Hostel guests provide their own bedding.
Overnight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 per person
14.25% State and Local Taxes Not Included.

Indoor camping accommodations are available for a maximum of 12 guests.
We are not able to provide a private unit for under 12 “indoor campers”. This
rate includes use of the showers and restroom facilities and use of the common
area except during full service meal periods. Outdoor grills and sink are
available. Campers must provide all utensils and cooking supplies, as no
meals are provided. Due to the remoteness of our lodge, we regret that
refrigeration is not available. Campers provide their own bedding.
Overnight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15.00 per person
14.25% State and Local Taxes Not Included

Payment Policy
Payment in full, including sales tax, is required to hold your reservation. If
your reservation is made between the 1st and the 15th of the month, payment
is due by the 1st of the following month. If your reservation is made between
the 16th and the end of the month, payment is due by the 15th of the following
month. Payment on reservations made less than 30 days before arrival date is
due when reservation are made. Payment is accepted by check, money order,
cash or credit card.

For reservation call or write:
CHARIT CREEK LODGE, 250 APPLE VALLEY ROAD, SEVIERVILLE, TN 37862
E-mail: reservations@charitcreek.com
www.charitcreek.com

Phone: 865.429.5704

I called and was told that the showers may not be available if it is below freezing.

Here are the meal costs:

Dinner Served at 6:00 PM Local time $18.09 Includes sales tax
Breakfast served at 8:00 AM Local Time $13.11 Includes sales tax

Reservations need to be made for both the beds and meals.

If ya want just beds, (that’s what I was gonna do) then the price is pretty reasonable.

I am gonna pack 2 ½ days worth of food and am planning on re supplying at the lodge. I will pack another 2 ½ days for my resupply even though the plan is to be done by mid PM Thursday. If ya don’t wanna resupply that is of course, up to you.

I will be shuttling the resupply to Charit Creek Lodge, Sunday, 3/29/2009, probably sometime in the early PM. If ya can’t meet me at Bandy Creek by that time, you could mail your resupply to me and I will bring it down when I come. You might be able to mail your resupply to the lodge, but I wanna make sure my stuff is there, so I wont be doing that.
See ya later.
Randall”

“Hey all
I called and checked on the resupply at the lodge. They will lets us put it there, but ya can't mail your resupply to the lodge.
There ya go!
I made 3 reservations for 3/31/2009.
That would be for me, Chin and Athena!!
If your thinking about this ya better do it soon.
See ya later.
Randall”

“I fergot!!
If ya make a resvervation, be sure ta mention that yer staying with Randall Redcur.
If ya want ta bunk with us that is...
See ya later.
Randall”