The Cherokee Hiker JUNE 2018 Volume 35, Issue 6 Cherokee Hiking Club, Inc. 198 Crews Drive Benton TN 37307 www.cherokeehikingclub.org CHC Hike and Events Calendar JUNE 2, 2018 SATURDAY BMT MUDD GAP TO PHEASANT FIELDS Approximately 8 miles, moderately strenuous. Hike will cover a section of the BMT, with a stopover on Whigg Meadow. Will require a somewhat lengthy shuttle. Meet at Tellico Plains Visitor Center in Tellico Plains TN at 8:30 am to determine carpool needs. Possible ice cream at Tellico Beach afterwards. Hike Leader Jack Callahan contact Jack at 423-284-7885 or jackn1945@bellsouth.net if you plan to attend. JUNE 7-11 2018 THURSDAY - MONDAY CAMPING TRIP TO MT PISGAH CAMPGROUND AND LODGE Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, approximately 20 miles south of Ashville, NC. Multiple day hikes, mostly moderate. Reservable campsites fill quickly, so make your reservations now if you plan to attend. For more information, contact Buddy Arnold, 601-415-3551 or we_arnold@bellsouth.net JUNE 14, 2018 THURSDAY CLUB MONTHLY MEETING Pot Luck supper at TVA Sugar Loaf Picnic Area immediately downstream from Dam #1 on US 64. Meet at 6 pm for Supper and a brief business meeting afterwards. JUNE 15, 2018 FRIDAY SCENIC SPUR TO RAINBOW FALLS IN OCOEE/RELIANCE AREA. Distance 3.2 miles, moderate with two stream crossings which can be crossed with rock hoping unless recent rains, then hiking poles are recommended. Meet at the Clemmer Trailhead parking Lot at 9:30 am Hike leader Clare Sullivan, 404-847-0872 or clare7982@gmail.com. JUNE 23, 2018 Saturday - Piney Falls Hike in Grandview TN. Approximately three miles, fairly easy trail. Hike Leader Sue Robinson. Carpool details to be arranged based on where hikers are coming from. Contact Sue at 423-519-9751 or keyster162@gmail.com if you are interested in making this hike to get details. JULY 12, 2018 THURSDAY - MONTHLY CLUB MEETING location to be determined. Recent Hike and Event Reports May 5, 2018 Saturday Hike and Backpacking trip to Bob Bald There were 8 of us that set out from Beech Gap that morning but only 4 made it home that night!!! So now that I have your attention it was actually by design. Four were the day hikers and the other four were going to spend the night on Bob's Bald. The four day hikers were Sue Robinson, Sandra Fenton, Michael Friedman, and Al Johnson. The
four backpackers were Megan Callahan, Jack Callahan, Becky Buchberger, and James Anderson the hike leader. Temps were in the high 60s when we left Beech Gap to hike the 3.5-4.0 miles to the top of the bald. The hike up went without a hitch. We ate lunch together on the bald and enjoyed the views although it was fairly overcast and a breeze was blowing. After enjoying a leisurely lunch the four day hikers headed back down and the four backpackers found a spot to set up camp. The bald had recently been bush hogged so it was pretty easy to get around. We set up camp in the edge of the woods. Jack and Megan setup their hammocks while Becky and I set up our tents. Around 5 or so we decided it was time for dinner. We all had dinner and enjoyed sitting around talking for awhile. Despite some brief episodes of sunshine late in the day the rain started around 8pm. It rained off and on the entire night. It was still sprinkling a bit when we broke camp that morning and hiked out. We did have a decent water supply from the spring nearby so that was a big plus. We also were awakened during the night by what Jack said was the mating calls of the barred owl. After some back and forth on the calls, they all decided to fly the coup and head down the mountain. That morning as we were hiking out the temps were in the low 40s and there was a stiff breeze. According to Jack's portable weather station the wind chill was in the 30s so it was kind of cool on the old fingers for awhile. We all made it out fine though. By the time we got to Tellico Plains it was sunny and much warmer. We are assuming the other four made it out ok as well since we did not hear of any lost hikers on the news and their cars were gone when we got back to the trailhead May 8-12 wilderness Wildlife Week In Pigeon Forge Leon Bates will give us an oral update on the events of this week at our June club meeting. May 10, 2018 Thursday Club Meeting Pot luck at Charleston Park pavilion Jennifer Schroll gave a great presentation on rock and mineral identification and shared her quite extensive collection...and she left with her gold samples intact.
MAY 12, 2018 SATURDAY - BEECH GAP TO WARDEN FIELDS Three hikers (Rick & Brenda Harris, Sue Robinson) made this beautiful hike of 11 miles from Beech Gap at the State Line on the Cherohala Skyway on the BMT to Cold Springs Gap, then down the South Fork Citico Creek Trail to its junction with the North Fork at Warden Fields. The trail was in surprisingly good condition, thanks to the SAWS crews last summer. There were only a handful of downed trees, none hard to get around. The start of the hike was along the state line crest of the mountains for two miles on the BMT with great views into the surrounding mountains. The hike then took us very steeply down the South Fork Trail for the first mile or so, till we reached a logging rail line trail which was much more gentle. We followed this for several miles along the upper stretches of the South Fork. The trail then trended higher and higher above the creek along the old rail line course. Then again the trail went steeply downhill to the creek level. When we reached the creek, we ate lunch in a beautiful campsite. We then hiked out along the edge of the creek with several waterfalls and with a couple of creek crossings which were not very deep due to the low water levels. We were able to bypass two other creek crossings on a bypass trail with several blow downs. We finally reached Warden Fields and the trail terminus. Warden Fields was the location of a logging camp town known as Jeffrey. The area then became the site of a forest warden station (hence its name), and is now a large camping area and the junction for several great hiking trails into the Citico Wilderness. The campground is right on the edge of Citico Creek complete with rope swings. The general feeling is that the hike was much easier than expected and very scenic. We wish more had come on the hike. Sorry we labeled the hike as such a difficult hike.
MAY 19, 2018 SATURDAY - BIG FROG LOOP This hike was cancelled due to inclement weather...it will be rescheduled in the fall to take advantage of fall color and cooler weather. MAY 21-25, 2018 ROAN MOUNTAIN STATE PARK CAMPOUT MONDAY through FRIDAY Monday was an assembly day and we had meals in one of the park shelters and discussed the proposed events for the rest of the week. Tuesday we headed up to the Gardens, and found out they did not open the gates till the upcoming weekend...that eliminated the proposed hike to the Roan Mountain shelter. Plan B we took off to enjoy the Elk river falls, and it was closed due to a drowning and recovery in progress. Plan C several of us headed to Banner Elk and had a great lunch then went to the original Mast General Store which is a trip worth doing. Wednesday the majority of the group went to Carvers Gap and hiked to Round and Jane Bald, where a couple of hikers chose to stop, and the rest went on to Grassy Ridge and had lunch and lounged in the sun for about an hour. Following the hike, several of us enjoyed a great pizza place in Roan Mountain, and a great campfire with wood supplied by Boyd. Thursday nine of us took off for Damascus, VA to meet our scheduled shuttle and bike rental for our ride on the Virginia Creeper trail. A flat tire caused us to reschedule our departure to 1 pm, and up the mountain we went to Whitetop to start our descent. Along the trail there were several accidents with the most consequential being one rider cracking three ribs. Ratings afterwards ranged from fantastic to never again! For the late arrivers back in camp, the group had prepared a wonderful spread of food, and had a great fire underway. Jack much appreciated the donations to cover the shelter cost.
Campers included Boyd and Martha Firestone, Clayton and Ruth Pannell, Sue and John Robinson, Carol and Carroll Guhne, Margaret and Jack Callahan, Larry Van Dyke, Joanne Jackson, and Margaret Garland. Not everyone would agree with this...but the raccoons had a great time after dark...you had to have been there... Cherokee Hiking Club
Meeting minutes May 10, 2018 This meeting was held at Charleston park. 15 in attendance. Time started: 6:45pm Treasury report: previous balance of $1,977.34. $60 income in renewal/memberships. Current balance of $2,037.34. As some people did not renew their membership, the club roster will be revised shortly. Unfinished business: Carol provided club with some printed information on IJAMS spring wildflower lists. More club business cards printed up and available for everyone. New business: Next club meeting to be held June 14 at Sugarloaf park along Ocoee river. Pot luck. friends of Ocoee/Hiwassee having their first meeting tonight. Larry Van Dyke attending, and will hopefully update us. Scheduled events since last meeting: 4/15 Walls of Jericho led by Jennifer. 3 in attendance probably due to wet weather forecasted. Reported lots of wildflowers, but too much rain prevented the group from reaching the waterfall. 4/18 warriors passage hike led by a Rick and Brenda Harris. Good turnout with good weather for this hike. 4/21 John Muir clean up led by Clayton. Trail was in pretty good condition with little work needed. 4/27-29. Backpack trip from carvers Gap to 19E. 11 hikers made this 18 mile trek. Buddy led one group and Jack led the other. Cold weather on this trip with temperatures dropping into mid 20 s at night and 25 mph winds. Ramps and few wildflowers seen along with the beautiful view. 5/5. Combination backpack/day hike. 4 members hiked the 7 miles round trip, and 4 spent the night up on bob Bald facing some heavy rains and wind. 5/8-12. Wilderness wildlife week in progress and Leon Bates attending. Upcoming events: 5/12. Rick and Brenda Harris leading hike from Beech Gap to warden fields. Rated difficult with 12 miles and several stream crossings which may be deep. 5/19. Jack Callahan to lead hike to Big Frog Mountain, rated difficult and about 11 miles
5/21-25. Roan Mountain campout. Hikes are scheduled and a drive and bike ride planned on the Virginia creeper trail. Afterwards a trip to Abington winery. 6/2. Mud gap to pheasant fields led by Jack Callahan. 8 miles 6/7-11. Mount Pisgah camping trip. Contact Buddy Arnold if interested in attending. 6/14. Club meeting at sugarloaf 6/15. Clair Sullivan to lead 3.2 mile hike on scenic spur to rainbow falls Meeting concluded at 7:00pm After the meeting, Jennifer Schroll gave a very interesting presentation on rock/mineral identification with many samples to look at. (My personal favorite the TV rock) Respectfully submitted by Sue Robinson, secretary