South Cumberland Friends Blog

Water Sources for Backpackers & Hikers Update

2008-07-14T09:07:00.002-05:00

The dry season is upon us and while we have had a little rain over the past weekend, it isn't enough to keep all the wet weather streams in the park flowing. Here is an update from the Rangers about water sources in the Park:

Stone Door side of Savage Gulf

Water is at the usual dry summer levels. As for the Stone Door side of Savage Gulf, the seasonal stream near Alum Gap is not flowing but still has a few pools of water near the edge of the plateau, but this could dry up at any time. Ranger Falls, Schwoon Springs, and Greeter Falls are still reliable water sources (when purified of course). Ranger Jamie Hambrock

Fiery Gizzard

Creeks are not running at Small Wilds or Ravens Point, but there is still some standing water to filter. The Gizzard is still flowing so the CCC Campsite still has a water source. Father Adamz (Boy Scout Camppsite) is fine as well (barely). Ranger Jason Reynolds

Posted by Ron Castle

Friends Youth Conservation Corps Update

2008-06-30T08:43:00.004-05:00

From Ranger George Shinn:

Well, we are very excited about the "Friends" supported trail crew here at Savage Gulf. They have done an outstanding job so far and have completed much more than we anticipated in only two weeks.

The group of five local young men Shawn King, Cody Meeks, Logan Kilgore, Cody Nunley, and leader Roger Hobbs all from Grundy County; began Monday June 16th. They hiked into Collins Gulf with park staff and Mark Stanfil (state TYCC coordinator) to look at the jobsite and made a plan to repair this section of trail. After discussion and lunch they began to carry waterbars to locations for installation.

On Tuesday, park staff gave instruction on tool care, first aid, and group finished the mass of state paperwork needed to begin employment. The team went straight to work and by the end of day had all thirty waterbars in place.

Wednesday, park staff helped as they moved trail above original spur trail to Horsepound Falls that had washed out.

Thursday and Friday the team worked alone with some help from seasonal John Miller (who took pictures and took group out to lunch) they finished laying in all thirty waterbars and redigging two long sections of trail. We were not ready for such quick work, so park staff bought more lumber and cut out thirty more waterbars to complete job needed.

Monday June 23 and Tuesday June 24 the team carried thirty more waterbars to site and dug in. This is amazing as this is a rough, beautiful trail dropping down into the gorge some 900 feet very quickly in rocky terrain. These young men are truly giving their all.

Wednesday through the rest of this week we started them on basic trail maintenance on Savage Gulf trail system. Weedeaters and loppers, they are a human bush hog and doing an awesome job. They completed in three days, the Savage side connector from Hobbs to Sawmill campground. The Historic Stage Road and South Rim Trail and Collins Gulf Trail to Sawmill. That's 18 miles of extremely difficult trail cleared!

The whole park staff at Savage is amazed at the work attitude of this team. We are impressed. They are completing work that would have taken us weeks to accomplish in a fraction of the time. We are very grateful to our "Friends". It has allowed for our trails to get some much needed care and attention.

Our ever-changing plan at this point is to have team complete clearing our trail system by the end of next week. Then, we will return to Collins Gulf to lay down a stone staircase below Collins West campground towards Suter Falls in a rough/steep section. If all goes well, the group will move on to Stone Door to do similar work below Alum Gap using 6X6 waterbars to repair washed out sections of trail. We haven't thought past these projects yet, we lose the team at the end of July. Although, they work so quickly, I'm already searching for other sections of trail in Savage that need some love, just in case.

Thank you Friends of South Cumberland! Your goodwill touches the park and is reaching into the community.

Posted by Ron Castle for George

New Fiery Gizzard & Buggytop Trail Map

2008-06-09T11:55:00.004-05:00

Assistant Park Manager Bill Knapp sent me the new Fiery Gizzard and Buggytop Cave trail map today. It is a full size PDF and is now online in the Friends website. You can download a copy here:

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/downloads/fiery-gizzard-trail-map-2008-june.pdf

The new maps are being printed and will be available soon at the Park.

Best wishes,

Ron Castle

Friends to Fund the Youth Conservation Corp Project

2008-06-04T12:25:00.003-05:00

This item appears in the Friends email newsletter today but it is worth repeating here.

We previously announced back in May that the YCC project for South Cumberland involving local young men and women in doing good work for the Park was canceled due to State budget cuts.

Friends of South Cumberland has made arrangements with the Department of Environment and Conservation to retain a Youth Conservation Corps program at South Cumberland, despite the elimination of the YCC statewide because of State budget cuts.

The Friends will guarantee up to $22,500 to fund an eight or nine-week program that employs local high school students to do much needed work on the park trails.

Your Gifts Needed
While guaranteeing the funds, the Friends hope to obtain gifts to fund the program. Special thanks should go to M. A. Emanuel, a Friends member from Beersheba Springs and Oak Ridge, who read the YCC report in this newsletter and raised the possibility of Friends action to save the program. He then made a gift to help the cause.

Thanks also to Mike Carlton, Assistant Commissioner of TDEC, for going out of his way in a hectic schedule to arrange for the state to continue to administer the program.

Help These Young Folks and Help the Park
Gifts for this effort may be made by sending checks payable to Friends of South Cumberland State Recreation Area, Inc., along with a note about the purpose of the gift, to Friends of South Cumberland, P.O. Box 2705, Hendersonville, TN 37077.

Large or small, each and every contribution will help and will be much appreciated.

Gas Saving Vacation Ideas from Tennessee State Parks

2008-06-02T09:10:00.003-05:00

Don't let the high price of gas spoil your summer vacation. There's no place like (close to) home and Tennessee State Parks has created a new brochure to help you pick the right time and place for your summer outdoor adventure on less than a tank of gas. You can download the brochure here in PDF.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Loop Route 20-30 Miles

2008-05-23T11:31:00.003-05:00

Scott down in Mississippi sent an email today: I am trying to plan a trip to backpack with a friend up there next weekend. We would like a loop trail or a series and trails that loop somewhere between 20-30 miles. Can you recommend a trail or loop to follow. We would like to camp backcountry and see as few people as possible. Difficulty is not a problem. Thanks for the tips.

If you will look at or download the new park map here:

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/parkmap.htm

My personal preference would be from the Savage Gulf Ranger Station to Hobbs Cabin and back, about 8 miles on the Rim Trail or 9 miles on the Plateau, makes a 17-18 mile loop.

If you are spending more than one night or want to cover more ground, from Hobbs take the Connector Trail down to the Stage Road Trail about 3.5 miles, up State Road about 1.6 miles and back to the Ranger Station on the South Rim Trail about 6.8 miles. Along this route you have camping at Saw Mill or Stage Road or Savage Falls.

For more miles you could also go up Collins Gulf to Collins East Campsite and come back on the Collins Rim Trail. That would add about 15 miles.

The best bet for seeing fewer people is to hike during the week rather than on the weekend. Have a safe trip.

Cheers,
Ron Castle

June 7 Annual Fishing Rodeo at Grundy Lakes

2008-05-20T11:29:00.001-05:00

Meet Rangers Jamie Hambrock and Brent Smith for the the annual fishing rodeo at Grundy Lakes. The event starts at 5:30 am and will end with a weigh in at 11:30. This is a free fishing day when a license is not required. There are several categories with prizes such as biggest bass, biggest pan fish, smallest fish, the most fish, etc. Fishermen (and fisherwomen) must sign in before they fish to be in the running for prizes.

Many thanks to local sponsors including:

The Dari-Delite
Top of the Rock Hunting Supplies
Mountain Outfitters
Jacey's Cakes
Piggly Wiggly
Larry's Army Navy
Caitlin's Lunch Box
Video Center of Tracy City
Beersheba Springs Market
Family Dollar

Catch a big one!

Ron Castle

Water Sources for Backpackers & Hikers

2008-05-19T08:25:00.002-05:00

A question came in over the weekend about drinking water in the remote areas of the Park: I'm assuming as remote as the SCRA is, that many of the springs along the trails have clean water good enough for drinking, especially if it's taken just at the source. Is this right? What do you do when you're on the trails?

Unfortunately, water borne pathogens are prevalent in all of the water sources in the park, particularly giardia. I use a good ceramic filter along with activated carbon (I use a MSR filter and have never had any problems). Don't drink unfiltered or untreated water in the park - period, unless you want to spend a lot of time in the privy using up all of your precious paper!

Seriously, you don't want a giardia infection. Read more about the symptoms:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/giardia-infection/DS00739/DSECTION=3

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Message from Park Manager John Christof

2008-05-16T16:32:00.002-05:00

In case you wonder how the Friends help and support the Park, this message from John Christof sent to the Friends board today should be informative:

Friends,

Today we have a big group of Tracy City elementary school kids enjoying a field day at the visitor center. It is raining so they are using the picnic shelter that you so generously donated. If it were not for you we would not be able to host this group of 60 children and many teachers and parents.

Conry and Phillip, our maintenance employees from Stone Door, arrived here this morning in the new Ford truck donated by the Friends to pick up supplies. Phillip said that when he went to get the donated truck that he was as excited as if it was his own. No longer do we have to cram four employees in a truck. Finally we can comply with state policy that says we cannot do maintenance in the emergency blue light vehicle. Finally we do not have to use the trash truck to do law enforcement patrol and emergency medical runs.

Ranger Hambrock is buying prizes for the Grundy Lakes annual fishing tournament. He can do this because the Friends have offered to sponsor the event. We are under orders [from the State] to "buy nothing unless it is an emergency", so it is thanks to the Friends that children and families can look forward to a wonderful event on the park on celebrating "Free Fishing Day". I asked Jamie to fly the Friends banner proudly at the sign up table.

I could continue to list wonderful things that the Friends have done to make South Cumberland a better park. However, I need to go now to take 60 children on a tour of the visitor center exhibits. Your generosity and kindness is magnified by the laughter and smiles of these children and I hope that the happiness that they feel today some how finds its way to you through this email.

Thank you for all you do.

Posted by Ron Castle

Backpacking Gear Rental in Nashville

2008-05-15T09:30:00.003-05:00

Eariler this week Ross from Nashville, a new participant to backpacking, asked me if I was aware of any places in Nashville that offer gear rental. The answer was no.

He came back to me via email today and advises that REI in Brentwood

http://www.rei.com/stores/64

And Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

http://www.brmsstore.com/insideBRMS/store.php?storeID=15

Both have gear rental. Thanks, Ross, for the information update to the Friends blog.

Any other providers in the region who want to be included in the blog please contact me, thanks.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Camping Question Re the Fiery Gizzard Trail

2008-04-22T13:57:00.004-05:00

Clint from Murfreesboro asked today: Hello I was thinking of planning a camping/hiking trip on the Fiery Gizzard on Saturday May 3. I was wondering if I needed to reserve a camping spot? Also I read where fires are allowed in certain campgrounds. Has this changed due to the recent drought conditions? Thanks!

Hi, Clint, you can't reserve a camping spot in advance but you do need to sign a back country camping permit at the kiosk at Grundy Forest (if you are heading south) or at Foster Falls (if you are heading north) to the Raven's Point campsite. The campsite is 4.5 miles from Grundy or about 8 miles from Foster Falls.

Regarding fires, we have had plenty of rain the past 3-4 weeks and there presently are no restrictions on fires in the designated fire pits at the campsites in the park but it is always a good idea to check with the Rangers or stop in at the Visitor Center to check the latest conditions.

Regarding fires at Raven's Point, the campsite there is on private property and the property owner says no fires.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Wildflower Watchers Report

2008-04-22T13:27:00.002-05:00

Park Manager John Christof advises today that wildflower viewing at South Cumberland is still good. The best spots are in Collins Gulf and down into the Fiery Gizzard Gulf.

The last guided wildflower hike of the season will be Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM, a Collins Gulf Hike. Meet Mary Priestley at the Collins West parking lot if you would like to hike the Collins West Trail.

Cheers,
Ron Castle

Conservation Forestry Workshop May 27-29, 2008

2008-04-22T10:24:00.002-05:00

Here is an educational opportunity coming to Sewanee that should be of interest to local landowners and others interested in forestry on the Plateau.

A Conservation Forestry Workshop on the Southern Cumberland Plateau sponsored by the Open Space Institute and others is scheduled for May 27-29 in Sewanee. Check it out.

http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_Institute_CFN_TN

Cheers,
Ron Castle

Hemlock Adelgid Threat Is Fatal to Hemlocks

2008-04-18T09:16:00.002-05:00

Most people have heard of the hemlock woolly adelgid that is attacking the hemlock forests of the Eastern U.S. You may not, however, realize how destructive this tiny alien insect has become or how imminent that destruction is for our area. It could, in fact, kill every single hemlock on the Cumberland Plateau, from Kentucky to Alabama. The adelgid is ravaging the Smokies and other forests to the east, wiping out whole mountainsides of these ancient trees, along with their ecosystems, and turning them into giant white ghosts. This plague is being compared to the loss of the American chestnut forests a hundred years ago.

In February 2008, Sewanee’s Jon Evans, professor of biology, organized a symposium that brought together a score of scientists and forest managers to discuss efforts to create methods to fight the hemlock adelgid. Afterward Jon and one of his students, Erin Tyrell, along with John Christof, South Cumberland State Park manager, presented a program on the adelgid to a group brought together by the Friends of South Cumberland. Using satellite imagery, Erin had conducted a research project that identified 8,000 hemlock trees in the canopy of Savage Gulf Natural Area, meaning that thousands more exist below the canopy and probably that many more exist in Fiery Gizzard Cove. These areas are the western limits of the eastern hemlock. Therefore, saving them here may be crucial to the survival of this wonderful tree.

Viable but expensive treatments, principally a systemic insecticide along with predatory beetles, are showing promise. The Friends of South Cumberland will be considering the creation of hemlock defense fund and may try to protect at least some of the hemlock stands in the natural areas. Individual property owners should also be aware that their hemlocks are in danger.

More information about the hemlock adelgid may be found in an article at the website of the Friends of South Cumberland State Recreation Area – www.friendsofscsra.org.

Visit http://www.friendsofscsra.org/woolly-adelgid-pest-alert-updates.htm for frequent updates.

Sign up for Friends email news on the website so we can keep you informed.

You can also subscribe to the Friends blog feed here http://www.friendsofscsra.org/atom.xml.

Thank you,

Latham Davis

New Road Crosses Buggytop Trail

2008-04-14T12:37:00.004-05:00

Don't be alarmed the next time you hike the Buggytop Trail, the Park is already aware.

The trail that leads to Buggytop Cave starts from the parking area on private property. The Park has an easement from the property owner. When you hike in on the trail you will see the kiosk where the trail passes on to State owned land.

The State of Tennessee has attempted to purchase this private property between the State property and Highway 56 from the owner on two occasions and in each case the appraisal, which is the maximum price the State can pay, was not satisfactory to the land owner.

Road cut through the woods.
Where the road crosses the trail.
Entrance from Highway 56
Keep out sign and cable crosses the new road.

It appears that the purpose of the road is to allow the land owner and prospective purchasers to view the property on four-wheelers. The property is still for sale. Unfortunately, no erosion control measures have been used to prevent the disturbed soil from washing and eroding. There is also a concern that this new road could be used for recreational four-wheeling by trespassers.

The State of Tennessee is still interested in purchasing this property and perhaps with the help of lovers of Buggytop and the Friends we can make this happen.

Ron Castle

New Savage Gulf Map Now Online

2008-04-14T09:42:00.004-05:00

Assistant Park Manager Bill Knapp sent us a new down-loadable full size trail map for Savage Gulf with updated trail descriptions etc. The map is 7.4 mb.

Using the new Adobe Acrobat Reader you can zoom right in on countour details.

Check it out, download your copy.

Cheers,
Ron Castle

Fiery Gizzard Wildflower Report

2008-04-07T17:13:00.002-05:00

Ranger Jason Reynolds reports on what is presently blooming in the Gizzard along the Ravens Point Loop) we have the following in bloom:

yellowroot
bloodroot
star chickweed
windflower
white and purple hepatica
cohosh
rock cress
trout lily
long spurred violet
halgerd leafed violet
kidney buttercup
wakerobin
large flowered trillium
scorpionweed
wild geranium
golden alexanders
toothwort
phlox

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Two Night Father Daughter Backpacking Trip

2008-04-07T08:59:00.003-05:00

Allen sent this message over the weekend: My daughter and I want to do a 2 night backpack starting next Friday morning. Do you have any suggestions for a good loop? We are both fairly experienced and and in good shape so we don't mind a harder trail. We are coming up from Florida and have previously hiked in the Cohutta in Georgia. We heard about Savage Gulf and would like to try something new.

There are lots of options available but at the moment the most spectacular would be to see the wildflowers in Collins Gulf, which will also include several waterfalls and MAY REQUIRE a wet crossing (meaning wading the creek).

Look at this previous post about doing a Collins Gulf loop:

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/2008/03/collins-gulf-loop-hike.html

Depending on how ambitious you are, night one at Sawmill, night two at Stage Road or night two back at Collins East.

Or, from the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, Hobbs Cabin out on the Savage Gulf Rim Trail and back on the Plateau Trail with two nights at the cabin and a day hike down to Sawmill and back is a good option. Or, Hobbs night one, Sawmill or Stage Road night two.

Plan for all kinds of weather from near frost, cold rain and high temperatures near 80.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Savage Gulf Wildflower Report

2008-04-07T08:41:00.003-05:00

Here's what's happening with wildflowers at South Cumberland today:

From Ranger George Shinn at Savage Gulf Ranger Station:

In Collins Gulf is an array of many wildflower showing now, from bluebells and trillium to hepatica and violets and many more. There is a lot of water from all the rain we have been getting, so Suter Falls and Horsepound are quite amazing. The redbud are of course flowering and others putting their new buds out and beginning to get green and lush down in the gorge.

On top as you hike to Savage Falls and around our day-loop there are shoots coming up for the appearance of lady slippers and others, already in our planters there are jacks in pulpit and bluebells and white trillium and more coming out and everywhere seems to have the new green of ferns beginning to unfurl themselves. Its just amazing, its beautiful, I can't even name all the plants out there... folks are just gonna have to come out and hike and view all these natural wonders.

From Jamie Hambrock, naturalist:

Hepatica, Wake Robin, Sessile, Some large flowered Trilliums are in bloom now. Also, Virginia BlueBells, Rue Anemone, Violets, Spring Phlox and Trout Lilies are starting to bloom.
Dwarf Iris, Purple Trilliums, Wild Geraniums, and Large Flowered Trilliums are still to come.
Most of the Blood Root is gone.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Retreat Accommodations Near South Cumberland

2008-04-03T13:14:00.003-05:00

Laura from Nashville asked today about accommodations or cabins for hosting a retreat in October for about 50 ladies.

You have several options in the area, although not necessarily cabin accommodations.

One is St. Mary's retreat center south of Sewanee

http://www.stmaryssewanee.org/

Another is DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle

http://www.duboseconf.org

Another is the Methodist Assembly in Beersheba Springs

http://www.tnumc.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=176

St. Mary's is the most private setting of the three, Beersheba Springs is next. They all have good food. Your timing is near the peak of fall colors. Better book soon!

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Alabama Scouts Preparing for Philmont & The AT

2008-04-01T15:33:00.003-05:00

Scoutmaster Jerry set me this message this morning: "My troop is planing a trip on the 18, 19, 20th of this month. We are preparing for the AT and Philmont trips. We will be at the park around 6:00 pm on Friday to camp. We need some ideas on trying to get 7 miles on Saturday and Sunday for the Philmont group and 4 miles on Saturday and Sunday for the AT group. We would like to be able to camp together on Saturday night. What trails or loops do you recommend?"

Hi, Jerry,

Thanks for your message and welcome to South Cumberland. Glad you and your guys are coming up for a visit. Friday night you will need to camp at the campsite close to the Ranger Station and make an early start Saturday morning.

The way the campsites are laid out there is not really one good spot to do what you want.

An out and back to Stage Road campsite from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is probably the best bet. The trail out to the Savage Day Loop is about a mile. From there to Stage Road campsite is about 4.8 miles. Total 5.8. If you had the Philmont group do the Day Loop that would add about 3 miles.

If that's too much, the best alternative would be to do Stone Door to the Overlook, 1 mile. The AT group takes the Big Creek Rim Trail to Alum Gap. Total 4.2. Come back Sunday on the Laurel Trail, that's 2.9 and very flat. You could do an out and back with or without packs to Greeter Falls to get in some extra walking and see some great scenery. We have had lots of rain recently, the falls should be showing their stuff. Bring your cameras.

The P group from the Door could take the Big Creek Gulf Trail, a good workout, that's 1 to the Door plus 4.0 with a little out and back to Ranger Falls, the round trip is 1.0, could be done without packs. So that's about 6 with a good climb coming up to Alum Gap.

The Sunday return for this group would be the Greeter Falls out and back and then back to the Door on the Big Creek Rim Trail, back to the Ranger Station.

The other campsites are either too close in or too far. Come back and give us a report here. And, send us some photos we will put them online.

Cheers,

Ron Castle

Friends Trail Project Volunteer Work Day April 26

2008-03-26T07:57:00.003-05:00

April 26, 2008 at 10:00 AM CDT

Members of the Friends of South Cumberland are invited to gather April 26 at Grundy Forest (Fiery Gizzard Trailhead) for the organization’s first trail maintenance project in partnership with the Tennessee Trails Association.

Volunteers will gather at 10 a.m. at the Grundy Forest pavilion. Tools will be provided, but everyone is asked to bring gloves and wear work clothes and boots or hiking shoes. Each person should also bring a lunch and extra water.

The day won’t be all work. There will be an opportunity for some hiking. A program about wild turkeys will be followed by a picnic supper at the pavilion sponsored by the Friends.

Park Ranger Anthony Jones will direct the project, which he has divided into two parts, removing privet and clearing rocks where the trail has eroded. He said the work will not be strenuous.

Persons who plan to attend are asked to call Latham Davis at 931-598-5101 or send an email to lathamdavis@bellsouth.net.

Alabama Scouts Invading Tennessee !!!!!

2008-03-25T18:50:00.005-05:00

Chris, Assistant Scout Master, sent this inquiry today: We are a Boy Scout troop from Birmingham, AL making a first time trip to the Savage Gulf area this weekend (March 29-30). We plan on hiking from the Stone Door ranger station to the Stone Door and splitting there to have our younger Scouts hike the Big Creek Rim trail and our older Scouts the Big Creek Gulf trail. We will re-converge at Alum Gap campground.

I have spoken with the visitor center already and have gotten many particulars but was wondering if you had any last minute insight(s). Most of us are experienced backpackers and of course will have our water filters AND purification tablets and/or devices (MIOXX, Steripen), stoves, first aid kit, etc.

Given the looks of the Big Creek Gulf trail on the topo map, what is your estimate of how long it may take a group of 10-12 to hike to Alum Gap?

Is the Big Creek Gulf trail suitable for some first time 11 year old backpackers or should we have them take the rim trail as planned?

Is the Greeter Falls trail a worthwhile side hike late Saturday afternoon or early Sunday morning?

Any other thoughts or recommendations are appreciated.

Looks like you have everything well planned out, Chris. Stone Door Overlook to Alum Gap on the Rim Trail is about 3.2 miles. On the Gulf Trail it is about 4 miles.

The Gulf Trail is steep both up and down but not bad if you pace yourself. If your 11 year old guys are in good shape and feeling OK when they get to Stone Door Overlook, I would leave it up to them if they want the challenge of the climb down and back up. You could do a little side trip to Ranger Falls down in the Gulf if you start early enough. You are likely to see many more wildflowers in the Gulf than on the Rim Trail.

A good walking stick is really helpful on these up and down trails. I personally don't hike without one.

The side trip to Greeter Falls is definitely worth the effort. You could to that packless and backtrack to Alum Gap.

On the return, the Laurel Trail is a little shorter and you will probably get to see some different wild flowers.

In the pine thickets around Greeter Falls, you might stick your head in and see if there are any Pink Ladyslippers blooming. It is a little early but they are there.

We have had plenty of rain the past several weeks so all the waterfalls should be showing off for you. Bring your cameras.

Cheers,
Ron Castle

Best Camp Site for Five Lads and Two Dads

2008-03-24T16:23:00.003-05:00

Chad asked this question today: I am planning a trip with a friend of mine. Between the two of us, we have five boys, ranging in age from 3 to 11. We'd probably come in May or June on a Sunday morning and leave Monday afternoon, spending one night at a campground. Ideally, we'd like to hike no further than six miles roundtrip due to the three year old. Is there a trail that would show us some great ridge views and then drops down to allow us to camp along a river (the boys' favorite).

Point number one is that there are no "rivers" in the Park. We have some good streams which are all mainly wet weather streams. If we have good rain in May and June, you will have good stream flows. The places most closely meeting your requirements: Savage Falls campsite, do the day loop in to the camp and take the rest of the loop on your way out (or do an out and back on the South Rim trail for some better bluff views); or Alum Gap in from the Greeter Falls parking area.

Savage Falls is more likely to be a better wilderness experience.

There are no campsites along a river and we don't really have any ridge views either (that's the Smokies) but we have some great scenery and wonderful waterfalls. Visit the newly updated photo gallery on the website to see what I mean.

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/park-photos/index.html

Cheers,
Ron Castle

March 24 Wildflower Report from Savage

2008-03-24T13:53:00.004-05:00

Wade from Nashville emailed today: Coming your way and to Shakerag Hollow soon, about when do you think the wildflowers will peak this year?

Ranger Jason Reynolds reports what's blooming today: lots of hepatica, wake robin trillium (red purple not the large white flowered trillium), rue anomonea, star chickweed, scorpion weed, halbeard leaf violet, wild geranium, butterweed, spicebush, cherry, plum, flox species. Nothing too showy yet, a lot of this is small stuff but that's the way the season starts.

In reality there is no real peak of the season. Show time for the woodland plants quickly ends when the canopy closes in. The sun loving and fringe plants will continue through the season and the later in the season the taller the plants for the most part. Timing depends on what flowers you want to see. If you like trillium and Jacks-In-The-Pulpit it may be a week or two. Blood Root should be blooming now. Violets are among the earliest as is star chickweed.

As an amateur herbaceous plant taxonomist, I have photographed blooming wildflowers on the plateau area not too far from Shakerag Hollow and in the Park from late February through December. My guess is the second week of April will be prime visiting for Collins Gulf.

Cheers,
Ron Castle