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Post by bacpacer on Mar 16, 2016 8:46:45 GMT -8
We are looking to do a 2 night backpacking trip in Big South Fork. We have never been here before and are looking to start at the Leatherwood Ford trailhead. Is there any water on the Grand Gap Loop or do we have to travel a long distance from camp to get it? Planning on leaving in next two weeks. Any suggestions for 6 to 8 mile days with nice campsites and not a shuttle trip? Thanks
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
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Post by Hungry Jack on Mar 21, 2016 6:16:35 GMT -8
This topo map suggests water would be scarce up high tnlandforms.us/data/bsfmf.jpgIt looks like there is a stream crossing on the Fall Branch trail a bit south of its intersection with the loop
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Post by bacpacer on Mar 21, 2016 6:32:29 GMT -8
Thanks hungryjack
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Post by ashepabst on Mar 29, 2016 12:40:53 GMT -8
Hey bacpacer, I've been meaning to respond to this when I had a map in front of me, but I keep forgetting. Did you already do this hike?
I thought Grand Gap was a little monotonous. There are several really nice overlooks. the Angel Falls overlook in particular is pretty stunning. and you can catch a glimpse of a massive chimney near the 1 o'clock on that loop. another thing I remember is a lack of good campsites up there. And no water that I can recall.
that's the only hike I've done out of Leatherwood Ford, but I could rattle off a few others if you're open to other trailheads.
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Post by kevinumberger on Mar 29, 2016 19:17:54 GMT -8
tha but I could rattle off a few others if you're open to other trailheads. i am.... rattle off.....
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Post by ashepabst on Mar 30, 2016 7:21:05 GMT -8
I'm partial to the creek hikes when it comes to the Cumberland. the rim trails of course are where you'll find your overlooks, but the miles in between can get monotonous, if you ask me. so I tend to favor the creek routes and my experience reflects that. one exception I'd offer is Hidden Passage, which ULBandit recommended to me several years ago. it follows the edge of Thompson Creek pretty closely which is very narrow gorge, with several fun overlooks. Crystal Falls isn't huge, but pretty and worth the short side trip.
and just a fair warning that a lot of my favorite creek hikes in Big South Fork don't have any particular outstanding feature; just tumbling brooks and deep, dark hemlock forests.
one that really stands out is Laurel Fork. it's single track the whole distance, without the pesky horse traffic damage. you won't have trouble finding a great creekside campsite along the way. on the lower half there's a great swimming hole next to a particular campsite that's shaded by a jumble of house-sized boulders.
i also really enjoyed the Rock Creek Loop. you can combine this with Hidden Passage, but the JMT approach from Hwy 154 north of the HP Trailhead is also a fun hike.
the Twin Arches Loop is pretty stunning even besides the Arches. from the beginning the trail skirts the base of big, big canyon walls and impossibly huge rock houses.
Blackhouse Trail, i think it's called, connects Laurel Fork up to Fork Ridge and then down to Charit Creek Lodge on the other side. this trail is a good one and makes for a great loop with Upper Laurel Fork and back on Slave Falls Trail where you can see the falls and Needle Arch.
Maude's Crack is a must visit... really cool feature. I've done the short loop from Terry Cemetery down to No Business and then back up through the crack. the trails were not all that interesting but the Crack is really neat. you can also get a view of No Business Butte from the overlook atop the Crack. I'd like to get back over there and do some exploring off trail. I think there's a way to get up on the Butte without too much climbing. there's also a sizeable chimney just off trail (see TN Landforms).
and of course Honey Creek --easily one of my favorite hikes on the Cumberland. it's best when the water tables are high. there are several big wet weather falls and few that run during average tables. I could spend all day wandering around the slot canyon at the bottom. high water makes that section kinda tricky, but also fun all the while. there's a campsite tucked in the rhodo jungle in that section and another on the section of trail that gets close to the big river (there aren't many trailside campsites along the way so this is good-to-know kinda beta). I'm going to revisit the next time I do a Cumberland trip and explore the new section of the Sheltowee Trace --it hooks up to the loop down in the slot canyon somewhere.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 22, 2016 9:54:07 GMT -8
Twin Arches and Honey Creek are my favorites in BSF. Both are great dayhikes.
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