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Post by rustyshackleford on Dec 25, 2017 13:25:45 GMT -8
I hiked this a couple weeks ago, camping at Father Adamz backcountry site. Perfect timing too, just after two days of hard rain so the water falls were running strong. I took the dog hole route on the way back. This was a great trail that I really enjoyed but I didn't feel like it lived up to the hype. It was rated by Backpacker Magazine as one of the top 25 in the country. Has anyone else hiked it? Am I spoiled?
And kudos to those who maintain that trail system and helped with the re-route of it recently. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2017 6:48:44 GMT -8
I hiked it a few years ago....restrictions on camping and on fires were in place at the time, and I tend to agree, for it to be in the top 25 is certainly subjective.
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Post by ashepabst on Jan 3, 2018 8:56:21 GMT -8
either end of the Gizzard is fabulous hiking. there are about 6 or so miles in the middle that are really boring... a lot of it is bordered by clear cut. if they could route that section through the canyon instead of up on the plateau, the trail would be miles better.... also probably twice as long and many times more difficult.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 3:10:46 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, there was a stretch that was on private property, and had strict rules associated with that section....I think it may have been acquired by the state now.
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Post by rustyshackleford on Jan 4, 2018 5:11:50 GMT -8
they re-routed the trail about a year ago, from what i understand to avoid some of the private property. it is an extra 1/2 mile longer now and 500' extra elevation gain if i remember correctly. there is barbed wire fence with stairs to get over so im sure some is still private.
there is still the boring section...i didnt think it was that long, maybe 4 miles. but my perception is probably skewed as i flew through that section.
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schlanky
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Post by schlanky on Jan 21, 2018 17:38:47 GMT -8
I hiked it right before all the changes happened, but haven't been there since. My understanding is that from the Tracy City end, you get to Raven Point, then drop back down and hike below Andersen Falls, then back up to the plateau. Does that sound right, rustyshackleford?
Also, I was assuming Doghole Trail would have been shut down. Since it wasn't, I guess it was just that corner with the Raven Point campsite over past Andersen Falls that was closed.
Yeah, that boring section in the middle is really boring. If they'd do what Ashepabst suggested and just stay down in the canyon all the way from Raven Point over to the climb out to Small Wilds campsite and add a campsite in between there, it would be an improvement. Problem now is that the only campsites are too near either end of the trail.
Scenery-wise, that Tracy City end when the trillium is out and the water is flowing is one of my favorite hikes.
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Post by ashepabst on Jan 21, 2018 18:39:03 GMT -8
yeah, i'm pretty sure that's right. the Dog Hole and Raven Point are on private property, but are still open. Raven Point Campground is closed and the reroute section is just past there. i haven't been down there since they changed all that.
i agree that they really need a campsite closer to the middle. the state just purchased a big chunk of land in the middle that added 1000 acres.
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Post by rustyshackleford on Jan 22, 2018 17:48:02 GMT -8
I hiked it right before all the changes happened, but haven't been there since. My understanding is that from the Tracy City end, you get to Raven Point, then drop back down and hike below Andersen Falls, then back up to the plateau. Does that sound right, rustyshackleford? Also, I was assuming Doghole Trail would have been shut down. Since it wasn't, I guess it was just that corner with the Raven Point campsite over past Andersen Falls that was closed. Yeah, that boring section in the middle is really boring. If they'd do what Ashepabst suggested and just stay down in the canyon all the way from Raven Point over to the climb out to Small Wilds campsite and add a campsite in between there, it would be an improvement. Problem now is that the only campsites are too near either end of the trail. Scenery-wise, that Tracy City end when the trillium is out and the water is flowing is one of my favorite hikes. there was a nice waterfall in that area that you walk under, not sure of the name of it. i have a short video of that waterfall but dont know how to post it! |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 12, 2018 21:09:16 GMT -8
My brother, who lives in Nashville, raves about FGG.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Feb 13, 2018 10:17:49 GMT -8
I hiked the Fiery Gizzard Trail about 30 years ago; I hope to do it again someday.
When I was in that area, besides Savage Gulf I also visited Sewanee Natural Bridge and hiked the Buggytop Trail to Lost Cave. These are both well worth the time, IMO. A pretty good stream flows out of Lost Cave at the base of a tall bluff. Bring your headlamps and explore. The first time I visited was in the fall when the water was low, and we made our way to another exit a couple hundred yards or so away from the main entrance.
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OwenM
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Post by OwenM on Dec 29, 2018 16:48:37 GMT -8
The majority of the reroute is before Raven Point.
Where you used to go left away from the creek up into the boulder field before the steeper climb up by the arch otw to Raven Point, the trail now continues to follow the creek. It climbs away from it a few times, crossing several drainages with mini waterfalls, and goes by some small caves you can get up into. Also crosses a couple of smaller boulder fields. The final climb out of the gorge gets very steep.
After the Raven Point turnoff, the "boring section" now includes hiking down the gorge Anderson Falls is in, and back up to it on the far side. Then it goes around to the "new" waterfall that you go behind.
It's awesome. I'd already played around below Anderson Falls before, but just getting pics of that lower tier. Below that are more cascades, one of which is just like Upper Boardtree Falls on the Greeter Loop.
The increase in distance is understated IMO(or sure seems that way!), and it is most assuredly more difficult.
I'm all about "high reward" hikes, and have probably done everything that fits that description all across the Cumberland Plateau through TN and up into KY, most of them half a dozen times.
With so many wonderful places to choose from in that general area, it's impossible to pick a favorite(I made 6 or 7 "this is my favorite spot" videos last time I did the Honey Creek Loop), but the Gizzard is way up there on my list.
Definitely check out the reroute if you haven't done so!
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schlanky
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Post by schlanky on Jan 1, 2019 16:29:52 GMT -8
That post above is the kinda stuff I remember from you from years back, OwenM . Excellent info. I still haven't made it up there since the reroute. Think I'll put that on the list for spring (and I will definitely need to get back into better trail shape before then). |
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Post by rustyshackleford on Jun 21, 2019 7:21:17 GMT -8
I last did the Fiery Gizzard in winter 2017. I'm considering it again in a few weeks. I assume the trail is hiked on enough so it isn't overgrown but wanted to check. Anyone done it in summer time? I was thinking it would be nice to take a dip in foster falls at night to cool down. If it does get overgrown then i'll do something else. Thanks!
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schlanky
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Post by schlanky on Jun 23, 2019 12:59:31 GMT -8
I have no info, Rusty. I still haven't made it back up there. And I've never walked it in the summer. Before the reservation system, I made it up there and Savage Gulf a bunch as fallback trips when my Plan A trips had bad weather or high water crossings. Those places can no longer be fallback options since sites are reserved ahead of time.
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