schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 442 
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Post by schlanky on Jan 21, 2018 17:16:01 GMT -8
Has anyone been to Cumberland Island?
I'm planning an upcoming trip and want to make sure I make the most of it. Night one is Hickory Hill. Night two is Brickhill. Night three is Stafford Beach.
On the southern end, I know to hit the ruins and Nightingale Trail. Reading about trails, I'm seeing conflicting info. The new map makes it sound like all the trails are "dreams of enchantment," but the few online trail descriptions I've found mention some trails being boggy and unmaintained and not worth the mileage for the reward (when you could get the same reward on an easier trail).
Once you get past Hickory Hill, there are countless route possibilities on the northern half of the island. I'm looking to find if there are some trails I should definitely aim to hit (or skip), and what north end scenery/attractions are worth the mileage (such as the African Baptist Church, Plum Orchard mansion etc).
Any info will be much appreciated.
schlanky
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Jan 23, 2018 6:11:55 GMT -8
I'm not sure what map you have, but most of them are pretty bad / inaccurate. The best is this onOne thing you're dealing with is the aftermath of Hurricane Irma If the online trail descriptions you're reading are older than a few months old, remember that you have the added issues of blowdowns and extra water or mud on the trails, at least some of them. The one trail I recommend is the Roller Coaster Trail. On an island where everything is flat, this gives you at least a little variety. And compared to some places I've hiked in the past, Cumberland Island trails are amazingly well kept, even the ones that are disparaged in online reviews. |
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 442
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Post by schlanky on Jan 23, 2018 8:05:28 GMT -8
Thanks, Null. I have that map you linked to.
I didn't realize it was your website at the time, but I was on fitpacking.com just yesterday looking at your itinerary for the island---ran across it in a google search of trail names.
I think most of the online descriptions I was reading were written before the trail restorations in 2016. Of course, now there's the aftermath of Irma to work around.
Roller Coaster is on the list for morning on Day 2. I have a pretty solid route planned through Roller Coaster. After I finish Roller Coaster, I'm planning a few options to shorten/lengthen accordingly as I reach trail junctions.
Thanks again for the info.
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Jan 24, 2018 1:52:14 GMT -8
There is still an error on the map about a half mile South of the African American Baptist Church. I will scan it in later and post it.
By the way, Carol Ruckdeschel is really nice if you're a hiker (and even if you're not). She gave us a bunch of oranges last year just because.
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VAN
Trail Wise!
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Post by VAN on Jan 29, 2018 5:25:39 GMT -8
A bunch of us from this forum went 9 years ago, actually this time of year. It was a blast and we all really enjoyed it. We stayed 2 nights at Hickory Hill and explored the all the way to the end of the island day hiking. I remember the water has a lot of sulfur in it, one person got sick from it. I also remember the horses coming right up into the camp site. We enjoyed tours of all the houses on the island. The trails are mostly sand. It made for some hard hiking in that sense. I imagine the hurricanes probably did a number on the island, but it should be a great trip. I've been wanting to go back for years. I dug up some photos from facebook, most of these cajunhiker took, but I don't think any of the other SEC members still visit this forum :(
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VAN
Trail Wise!
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Post by VAN on Jan 29, 2018 5:33:57 GMT -8
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Jan 29, 2018 11:23:00 GMT -8
Here is the promised map showing the error. Where I've indicated a trail with a red line and arrow, there's a 6' high pole with a marker on it and an obvious trail. The trail continues for maybe a half mile before it just abruptly ends. You can bushwack through to get to the main road or just avoid it altogether.  |
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 442
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Post by schlanky on Feb 6, 2018 9:11:28 GMT -8
Thanks for the map pic, Null. Nice pics, VAN!
Well, I had to bail on the trip. I drove down to Kingsland last Wednesday and noticed I was feeling kinda crappy on the drive. I was hoping it was just being tired from getting things squared away at work and home before the trip.
I woke up the morning I was to take the ferry and felt like absolute crap, and just didn't think I was up to several days carrying an overnight pack. So I made the 500-mile drive back home. The way I felt the next couple of days, I know I made the right decision in bailing, but it sure does suck that I made the drives, burned the vacation days, paid for a night in a hotel etc, and didn't make the hike. Guess I've got it all planned out for next year.
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Feb 6, 2018 15:22:15 GMT -8
I know I made the right decision in bailing It sucks, but you did the right thing. |
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Roger
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Post by Roger on Feb 16, 2018 14:19:32 GMT -8
I was on the hike with Van and the gang. It was a great trip and I have been thinking about a return trip perhaps by boat this time.
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Post by greymouse on Nov 18, 2018 21:37:55 GMT -8
To answer the Op's question. Yes I have been but unfortunately not since 1989 when I was stationed at Kingsbay. I wish that I could offer help and advice but it would not be relevant these days perhaps. I do thank you for posting your question though because I still live in Florida and I now wonder why haven't I returned to Cumberland Island? Gonna have to add it to the plans. Thanks.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 19, 2018 7:41:03 GMT -8
but I don't think any of the other SEC members still visit this forum :( I'm still here (though I couldn't make that trip), but wish more would come around. |
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 442
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Post by schlanky on Nov 19, 2018 8:06:21 GMT -8
Since this thread popped back up to the top, I'm happy to say I've rescheduled the trip that I bailed on in January. Hopefully I'll have better luck in 2019 with it.
I did a single-nighter close to home this past weekend and came to the realization that I've been going to too many of the same old familiar places too often for the past several years. It was a good trip, but I need different scenery. I'm looking forward to going somewhere new.
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Nov 19, 2018 13:55:11 GMT -8
I'll be there Feb 18-23. When will you be there
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 442
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Post by schlanky on Nov 20, 2018 12:23:23 GMT -8
End of January. I'd prefer February, but Feb doesn't work out with my schedule. |
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