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trips - Back Ta The Big South ForkTrip Info
DescriptionBACKPACKING SPORTS CAN BE DANGEROUS (Ya might get ate by a hog or fall off a cliff!) This trip is inherently dangerous and the risk of death or serious injury can never be completely eliminated. It is up to each individual to make his or her own choices regarding acceptable risk. By signing up for this trip you acknowledge that you recognize these risks and are prepared to be responsible for your own safety. The route is close to 36 miles and as described below is going counterclockwise. This way we leave most of the stream crossings for the last, (20 or more crossings in 1 ½ feet deep at most, real slow current and flow though, but you will get wet feet!!) This trip has more Rock house/Rock shelters than anyplace I have ever been!! There are two waterfalls and many real good overlooks of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland river as well as some real nice sandstone arches. Check out the Evl profile for data on the climbs, not too bad really. I am planning on resupplying at Charit Creek Lodge so as not to have to carry all the weight. Here is the basic plan heading Counterclockwise from Bandy Creek Vistor Center. 1. Head East on the John Litton Farm Loop to the Fall Branch Trail. 2. Head Northeast on the Fall Branch Trail to the Grand Gap Loop 3. Take the Grand Gap Loop east towards Angel Falls Overlook and the John Muir Trail 4. Take the John Muir Trail north to Station Camp Creek Trail. 5. Head west on Station Camp Creek Trail to Charit Creek Hostel 6. From Charit Creek Hostel head north on Twin Arches Loop (Heading Towards the Arches) 7. Head west on Slave Falls Charit Creek trail to Slave Falls Loop. 8. Take Slave Falls loop towards Slaves Falls 9. Head south from Slave Falls loop to Laurel Fork Creek Trail 10. Head southeast on Laurel Fork Creek Trail to West Entrance Trail 11. Head southeast on West Entrance Trail to Collier Ridge Loop Trail. 12. Head northeast on Collier Ridge Loop Trail to West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail 13. Continue northeast on West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail to Bandy Creek Visitor Center 14. That’s it , your done!! Here is an alternate route heading counterclockwise from Bandy Creek. It is two miles shorter, but makes up for the difference by spending several miles on the East Bank of the Big South Fork. We could go this route and save the majority of the stream crossings for the last day. Additionally, we could camp and fish on the Big South Fork. I really like this route better. It does require that we ford the Big South Fork at Station Camp Crossing. This could easily be considered a major fording with water as deep as 3 1/2 feet. The river can also change its volume rather quickly with flows exceeding 10,000 CFPS (Cubic Feet per second). At this volume it would be unfordable (Not Doable Fridge!! LOL) I guess what I’m saying is that local weather conditions will dictate the use of this crossing. We would just make the decision when we get to Bandy Creek visitor center as they can tell us if we can ford at Station Camp Crossing or not!! 1.Start at Bandy Creek Vistor Center 2.Head East on the John Litton Farm Loop to the Fall Branch Trail. 3.Head Northeast on the Fall Branch Trail to the Grand Gap Loop. 4.Head South on Grand gap Loop to Angel Falls Overlook (or take the long side of Grand gap Loop to Angel Falls Overlook) 5.From Angel Falls Overlook head south on the John Muir Trail to Road 297 6.Take 297 ( ¼ mile or less) across a bridge over the Big South Fork to Angel Falls Trail. 7.Head north on Angel Falls Trail to River Trail East. 8.Continue north on River Trail East to Station Camp Crossing 9.Heading west, cross the Big South Fork at Station Camp Crossing 10.Head west from Station Camp Crossing on Station Camp Creek Trail 11.Continue on Station Camp Creek Trail to Charit Creek Hostel 12.From Charit Creek Hostel head north on Twin Arches Loop (Heading Towards the Arches) 13.Head west on Slave Falls Charit Creek trail to Slave Falls Loop. 14.Take Slave Falls loop towards Slaves Falls 15.Head south from Slave Falls loop to Laurel Fork Creek Trail 16.Head southeast on Laurel Fork Creek Trail to West Entrance Trail 17.Head southeast on West Entrance Trail to Collier Ridge Loop Trail. 18.Head northeast on Collier Ridge Loop Trail to West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail 19.Continue northeast on West Entrance Bandy Creek Trail to Bandy Creek Visitor Center 20. That’s it , your done!! We could easily spend four nights out if ya want to!! See Ya later. Randall
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