Mammoth Cave Planning Thread

“Allright, the date is settled, now for the trip plan.

I haven't looked at my map, but go ahead and roll out some suggestions.”

“I think this (November) is when I planned the first cave trip. The weather was perfect.”

“Just out of curiosity, when is the weather "bad" while doing a cave tour?”

“I have Friday off I plan to be there ealy afternoon. Maybe I could go ahead and reserve Backcountry Site then we will not have to wait for them to open on Sunday.

I will have a pot of chili or soup on when you guys arrive.

Chili send me your email kevinlikestohike@yahoo.com”

“Yo Bear drive to Indy and I'll drive us on down there if you can be here around 10:30am”

“Kevin, Could I hitch a ride? Salem”

“Chili, I haven't hiked down there for several years, so I'm looking forward to this.”

“Should be a good trip. After three years of exile in Mississippi, I am soooo ready for this trip.”

“Why hell yes Salem.”

“I'd jump on this in a minute, but I'm already committed to the Indy Monumental Half Marathon that weekend. Too much training in the bank to pass now. Have a great hike.”

“Kevin, That sounds like a yes. lol Just email me your home address, and phone numbers when you have a chance. I should easily be able to get to your house by 10:30.”

“Golfhiker, Good luck with your race. We'll catch you another time.”

“I'm in. I've been away way too long. Can't wait to get back on the trail.”

“I was in Atlanta two days, back in Nashville now and going to Knoxville Thursday. Have to get ready for a chili cookoff in Columbia on Saturday. So, maybe Sunday, I will find time to look at the Mammoth Cave Map.”

“looks like we will be able to make this. I have Friday off and can sell my tickets to the Titans game that Sunday”

“So what's the plan?”

“someone changed their trail name...”

“Who changed their Trail Name?”

“who are all of you?”

“Dang, this is a 10 hour drive for us.”

“And your point is?”

“Man Ewker and ewker are both going to be on this trip. I hope he takes his meds and combines those two personas ;-)”

“I wonder how that happened...well the other ewker can be my gf since there is no place for a guest”

“Im a maybe. what sort of route are ya doin?”

“What's the plan?”

“I have been a little slow on this, but this is my thinking:

Given the time in purgatory (Jackson, MS) I don't want to schedule a ball buster on the first time out. Sunni pretty much made that one a deal breaker for her.

What my map doesn't show is total mileage. Using the scale, I have made some estimates. Feel free to chime in if the calculations are wrong.

It looks like the best plan is to meet at the Maple Springs Group Campground on Friday night. Hike out Saturday on the Sal Hollow Trail clockwise to Sal Hollow Campsite. Looks like 6 miles. Hike out continuing on Sal Hollow to Buffalo Trail to point of beginning. Looks like about the same as the Saturday hike.

I am thinking water wont be a problem in Sal Hollow.

Comments? I am open for suggestions.

http://www.mammoth.cave.national-park.com/map.htm”

“looks good. sal hallow clock wise shows 7miles on my map. the return via good spring says it is 4.1 miles. I got this info off the Backcountry map and guide. yo bear!”

“sounds great for me!!! my shoulders are not ready to carry a pack..YIKES!”

“sounds good to us. We have Friday off so we may get there early and do a little exploring.
Is Maple Springs campsite free or is there a fee?”

“Yes there is a fee. will hold up to 24 people.
This needs to be reserved. The # is 1-877-444-6777. yo bear!”

“anyone got a link to a map that shows the primitive campsites”

“I will reserve the site.”

“Ewker, the link is above.”

“Ok, we are on site #7 in the Maple Springs Group Campground.

Reserved for 15 people, but they said it would accomodate 24.

Reservation confirmation number is 2-16803618 for those who get there early.

Arrival anytime after noon on Friday. Off the site before 11 on Saturday.”

“Oh, and the Ferry is currently closed. We need to check on it between now and November 4th.”

“We should be there by 8 or 9 Friday at the latest.

Anyone in Nashville need a ride?”

“We will be there early Friday afternoon. We are going to stop and get our backpacking permit for Sat. night at Sal Hollow”

“Sal Hollow Campsite is not a very big site. Very few places that are flat enough to set up a tent. There is also no water at the site.”

“The Bluffs is a cool place to camp water at the river. Alot of rock formations and water at the river.

Bluffs could also be tight to setup tents but better than Sal Hollow.

Me and B should be there early afternoon.
last edited: 10/27/11 2:08:48 AM”

“Any way we can relocate the entire park to Arkansas?”

“No? Ok, didn't think so....”

“sorry stratdood..just drive on over for a weekend”

“Man Eukah I really wish I could. I wouldn't mind the long drive bit there's no way i could afford all that I could afford all that gas right now. I've always wanted to so there. Will there be any spelunking on this trip or is just a hakiin thang? I imagine all you can do there is the guided, tourist type of spelunking but it's still fascinating to me. Seeing something new is always interesting. There's so many incredible places in this Country, were truly blessed that way. Hope to run into ya one of these times.....”

“Well, about 5 weeks ago I was calling for suggestions.

Now, here they come. Thanks though. Ok, I will look at the map again tomorrow and come up with an alternative plan.”

“If someone who has been up there lately will clue me in to a better campsite, I might re route this. Otherwise, we camel water and sleep tight.”

“Damn, wish I'd leared about this sooner... Been a long time since I've been to Mammoth, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and would love to head back there again...

Have a great trip, people...

Yo bear!”

“Green River Ferry operates year-round, 6:00am-9:55pm.

Houchins Ferry operates March-November, 10:15am-6:00pm.”

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I talked to the office and they said they have not had much rain. Here is a pic from the Bluffs Campsite. There is a small creek there but she said it would be dry.

I am going to get down there about 2 or 3pm. I will get whatever campsite you want. If we stay at Sal Hollow we could still get water from the river.”

“We have the group campsite reserved for Friday night. We can always re route the trip on Friday night if we come up with any information that helps.

The group camp site information is above.”

“That sounds good I will not get the permit with the Ferry open we can drive over there in a few minutes and pick up the permit on Saturday.”