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Adam's Adventure - Forney Creek Loop - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jun 13

Sat 7:00 AM

Location: Panera Bread

911 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd,
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
770-448-2432

How to find us
"Tan Murano cell [masked]"

Estimated attendance: 2 people attended.
4.502
Who organized?
Lou

Forney Creek Loop
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Views from the AT and cascades highlight this backpack trip
Distance: 18.75 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 5470 ft
Hike Time: 10.5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType: Loop
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Summary: Your hike will begin on the Forney Ridge Trail but after 0.1 mi take Clingmans Bypass Trail to the right. This trail will intersect with the AT in 0.5 mi then turn left on AT. From Mt Buckley you will descend over 1000' but have your camera ready for there are many fine views over the next 3.8 mi. Turn left on Welch Ridge Trail. This will provide easy ridge walking and keep an eye to your left in the blueberry patches and you might be lucky enough to see a few bears enjoying this flat grassy area. Just pass the Hazel Creek Trail is Jonas Creek Trail to the left. From here you descend over 2000' and before reaching Campsite #70 (home for the night) you may have a few creek crossing to rock hop. Day 2 will be a test as you gain over 4000' in the next 8.5 mi from Forney Creek Trail to Forney Ridge Trail. It is very scenic with streams and cascades so take your time and enjoy. When you finally intersect with the Forney Ridge Trail turn right for the last climb out.

Adam is a new member of our group but a seasoned and grizzled veteran of the Southern Appalachians and beyond. He enjoys long, steep, uphill, rocky grinds and extended treks throughout the wilderness. This will be a 1 overnighter, Saturday-Sunday. We'll be very close to the summer equinox so days will be long and we can cover 8-10 miles a day no problem.

Photos of this Meetup

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Talk about this Meetup

Posted Jun 18, 2009 10:17 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

No Dima, no Taty??? We missed you guys and gals!
Posted Jun 15, 2009 11:37 AM

Tatyana

Yes, share your experience, guys!
Posted Jun 14, 2009 7:52 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Tell us how it went guys!
Pre-Meetup comments below
Posted Jun 12, 2009 8:28 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Back up to 7, Woo Whoo!!! Call me on cell if you need anything, [masked].
Posted Jun 11, 2009 7:28 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Whenever Dima drops out so do the women...?
Posted Jun 10, 2009 9:07 AM

Earl

Avalanche

I can drive and can take 4 more.
Posted Jun 9, 2009 9:49 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Looks like we have 7 confirmed. I'm driving and can take 2 more. Pack lite and bring your swimming trunks if you want to cool off at the campsite! Should be lots of fun!!! We'll go easy and let Adam race to the camp site...
Posted Jun 7, 2009 1:40 PM

Tatyana

Chris: Thank you for the warning. The new pack will be a huge improvement but my knees are acting up so I have some concerns about this trip. Lou: Poor, poor Dmitry... ;)
Posted Jun 5, 2009 10:52 AM

Chris W.

Assistant Organizer

Tatyana, we haven't done this exact loop but did a longer similar one and I would rate this as at least as strenuous as last weekend (likely more so) despite the shorter mileage.
Posted Jun 5, 2009 10:29 AM

Chris W.

Assistant Organizer

Going off memory the climb down and out are going to be hellacious despite the mileage. Especially with the expected 80 degree temps.
Posted Jun 4, 2009 7:11 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Dmitry: Thanks for posting the route map and profile. The trip will be much easier than last weekends... Tatyana you have to come join us again. We'll make Dmitry carry your pack if it's not an easier route than before...:-)""" We may get 2 campsites if needed and open up the group to all commers? Should be fun. Let's pray for dry clear weather!
Posted Jun 4, 2009 8:48 AM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Got the map and profile uploaded! Looks like very reasonably planned trip: longer distance downhill, shorter distance uphill.
Posted Jun 3, 2009 10:03 PM

Lucinda

I think, technically, groups are supposed to be limited to 8 people? Forney Creek is a moderate trail. Not very technical and you'll be going downhill on the first day and it's a lot of elevation loss that has to be made up on the next day. The only tricky part is all the creek crossings. You should plan on walking through the water rather than rock hop ( at least, that's what I do).
Posted Jun 3, 2009 9:33 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Dmitry: We camped at site 71 with you before and it is very large and only 1 to 2 miles from 70. We can reserve site 71 if you think necessary. Can you run route and profile for us? Let's talk about 2 groups and drivers? I'll call you.
Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:50 PM

Dmitry

Brer Mountain Rabbit

Oh, boy - seems like our group grew too large after all! :) 14 people total with those on waiting list - it is at least twice as many as would be the best size (5-6 ppl I'd say). Most likely the group will naturally split given the difference in pace like our group split on our previous trip, but lets make sure that we have enough room at the camping site. Any alternative camping sites?
Posted Jun 3, 2009 1:41 PM

Tatyana

After last weekend's 24 miles on "moderate to strenuous" I would like to know how this "strenuous" trail compares... Has anyone done both and has an opinion?
Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:39 AM

Lucinda

The creek was pretty deep, so I didn't rock hop anything. I just walked on through with my trail runners. My boyfriend hiked Forney Creek in Keen sandals so creek crossings wouldn't get his boots wet. The water was really flowing and beautiful. Lots of trout too. We managed to camp with some local fishermen who had caught way too much and were happy to share!
Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:35 AM

Lucinda

FYI...I did a 40-loop over Memorial Day weekend in the Smokies, including Forney Creek. The bridge to campsite #70 was washed out. According to the park's website: "The footlog bridge across Forney Creek to access backcountry camp site #70 from Forney Creek Trail has washed out." I don't think it'll be a bit deal for you, but just thought I'd let you know. Just might be a nasty crossing if the water's really flowing. Be prepared for some good crossings in any event. You *will* get wet!
Posted Jun 3, 2009 6:26 AM

Lou

Fish Dog

Clingman's Dome is the 2nd highest peak east of the Mississippi! Who's with us? If you RSVP'd maybe we need a yes or no now so waiting list peolpe can attend. We're camping near a beautiful stream so cool down will be no problem...
Posted May 19, 2009 8:36 PM

Lou

Fish Dog

Andrew Brown - We'll try to work you and your guest in since we have a few maybe's and usually a cancelation or 2 anyway. The only caveat is Dmitryalways reserves the right to bring a special friend if possible..:-)"""

Who attended?

2 attendees
- Adam
  
  “ All those people that bailed missed a great time. Those guys were awesome! ”
- Lou
  
  “ 62 degrees was the high temperature at 3pm in the summer! Clingmans' is cool! 8-9 river crossings of knee high or deeper were fun and helped keep you cool as well. This route was downhill day 1 and uphill day 2. Would be nice to mix it up a little but not sure how you'ld do it!? High in the Smokies is the way to go. Need to confirm who is attending NLT 2 days prior to departure. Too many last minute cancelations or no shows. We wasted an hour plus mileage waiting for people that were not going to show...!? ”