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RnR and Swimming at The Pocket Wilderness/ A Two Nighter

May 15
Fri 8:30 AM
Location
This location is shown only to members
Estimated attendance
 5  people attended.
5.00 5.003

Who organized?
Bobby

My brother is coming up from Florida and wants to do this same hike we did back in October. I tried to talk him into something different, but he can't wait to get back .So, it's the Pocket Wilderness near Chattanooga /Soddy Daisy Tenn. Bring your swim suit , the Pocket has an awesome deep swimming hole with a swing rope.

Friday, Saturday and back out on Sunday morning. So, other then the hike in and out, this will be a pretty relaxing, enjoy the wilderness and forget about the stock market / swine flu kind of trip.
We'll start at the trail head near Mont Lake road and hike about 4-5 miles to Stephenson Branch Campground or campsite number one.

This hike should be rated moderate to strenuous. It's fun and short, but can be tough with some really cool technicals like boy scout ladders, and some semi rock scrambling. I would not recommend this hike for people who never backpacked before and a tuff one for newbies.
We'll meet at the cracker barrel in Kennesaw at about 8:30am and work out carpooling and try to get to the trail head to meet Ellis around 11am. People have left their cars at The Cracker barrel without any problems on previous hikes. There's also a park and ride down the road and meetup members have used it before without any problems.

If you want to meet us at the trail head, here's the directions:
Take 75 North into Tennessee to exit 4 (153N). Take 153N for 12 miles (over the dam). It will turn into Dayton Pike. Take this another 3.5 miles. You will go over a small bridge. Keep a lookout for a Sonic on your right. You will take a left on Montlake Road just before the Sonic (there is a bank on the left hand corner as well). You go about 1 mile, and you will see the big sign for the State Park area on the left (Upper Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness). This is the entrance and parking area.
Here's a website to check out for more info: http://www.cumberland...

Photos from Dmitry:
http://www.flickr.com...
http://www.flickr.com...


Hope you can go!

Photos of this Meetup

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Talk about this Meetup

  • Bobby
    Posted May 14, 2009 4:23 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Tom said he can drive too.
  • Bobby
    Posted May 14, 2009 4:22 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Weather for the weekend. It's calling for 50, 50, 30 percents. That's only for scattered thunderstorms which is normal. Maybe a chance of rain, I'll be bringing an extra tarp for the community
  • Bobby
    Posted May 14, 2009 7:41 AM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Cool Grant, we'll see you tomm morning. Are you bringing that REI 55 degree bag? I've been looking for a lite weight sleeper for the summer.
  • Grant
    Posted May 13, 2009 9:26 PM
    Grant
    Assistant Organizer
    I can drive if need be, and I am also cooking chicken soft tacos...
  • Bobby
    Posted May 11, 2009 11:24 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Yes Earl, If everyone shows up we'll probally need some extra transportation. Ellis and My brother Billy are going in a day early on thursday. The weather is looking good 40, 40, and 30 percent chance rain and highs of 83 and lows of 60...I'm ready!
  • Earl
    Posted May 11, 2009 3:20 PM
    Earl
    Avalanche
    Mr. Bear, would you like me to drive since it appears the coast is clear at the trail head parking lot?
  • Bobby
    Posted May 10, 2009 9:29 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Grant, So far we've got a mexican theme going. If you want to stick to that and you don't like to cook, you could try some of that Mountain House Chili or Chili Mac. I haven't tried either one yet. I think my brother was talking about some Dorito Chips, cheese, and jalapenos. We don't have to get too fancy, just cordinate at the same time. The bowls are a great idea! I can't wait!!
  • Grant
    Posted May 10, 2009 7:09 PM
    Grant
    Assistant Organizer
    I'm gonna bring my Simmerlite which is a lot easier to cook with than canister stoves... I'm also bringing some more bowls to use if need be. Anyone have some potluck ideas for me to bring?
  • Grant
    Posted May 10, 2009 7:06 PM
    Grant
    Assistant Organizer
    I'm not gonna miss Polar's bi-monthly hike which he's allowed by his keeper. lol
  • Ellis Walters
    Posted May 7, 2009 8:43 AM
    Ellis Walters
    LAZY BOY
    I spoke with a Ranger today, good news, they caught the people breaking into cars at the trail head and have had no more trouble since.
  • Bobby
    Posted May 5, 2009 10:15 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    I think Heffelflopper should bring the fried apple pies and dipping dots ice cream...mmm :)
  • Bobby
    Posted May 1, 2009 9:14 AM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Alrighty, looks like the Pot Luck Dinner is on. I'm thinking of having it on the first night unless there's some objections. That's because of some fresh food people will be bringing in. Post what you'll be bringing. Here's what we have so far: The Polar Bear- My Chicken Salsa and cheese pizzas. LazyBoy-Black bean quesadillas with cheese, green onions and lettuce mix from his garden and maybe some beef shishkibobs with vegies. Earl-Black beans and rice.
  • Bobby
    Posted Apr 29, 2009 1:46 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    I updated the link to the web site so it would actually work...sorry about that I should have checked it. The website has maps and info. Also, Ellis has told me there's still some break in's going on at the trail head and he has volunteered to shuttle us in his Urban Assault Vehicle. Buy that man a beer!
  • Bobby
    Posted Apr 27, 2009 10:02 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Yes Brer, that's one of my favorite pics of David going down that Boy Scout ladder. Those things are harder to traverse then they look. I'm sure David knows I'll make room for him. This is the 3rd time we've had trips sched'd. Last May Shelton and I both had trips on the same date. I think it was the Pocket trip too :)
  • Bobby
    Posted Apr 27, 2009 9:41 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Welcome aboard Earl!
  • Dmitry
    Posted Apr 27, 2009 8:52 PM
    Dmitry
    Brer Mountain Rabbit
    Polar, you should not keep the guy whose picture you are using to highlight this trip on the waiting list! ;)
  • Bobby
    Posted Apr 27, 2009 4:46 PM
    Bobby
    POLAR BEAR
    Cool!! Alright! Tyler and Grant, it's always good to have you guys on the hike.

Who attended?

  • 5 attendees
    • “ Two nights is the way to go!! It gives you a chance to get settled in and enjoy the wilderness experience better. We had a blast! The water fall at the campsite was just spectacular. The roar of it drowned out any noises/snoring and gave us all unsurpassed privacy. The river in fount of us was a water park with deep holes and a cool current to play in. We had some rain , but there was enough sunshine and clear weather to keep us happy. We had a community tarp where we gathered , cooked and swapped stories. The rain never bothered us and we stayed high and dry. This was up there for one of my favorite trips. I'll post some pics as soon as my brother emails them to me. Thanks to Tom for driving. Someone smashed out his driver side window and cracked the fount windshield. He took it very well and didn't let it ruin his good time. Good people on this hike: Tom, Ellis, Grant, and my brother Billy. I hope to hike with you again! ”
    • “ thanks Bobby, great trip. Packing in a trap for all of us to use was a nice touch ”
    • “ Incredible hike. beautiful country. I'm ready to go back. Thanks Bobby for putting this together. ”