Joyce Kilmer/Citico Creek Wilderness - RESCHEDULED - Thu, Jun 27 2019

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Joyce Kilmer/Citico Creek Wilderness - RESCHEDULED


The Basics:
STATUS: Cancelled - Hide from Calendar
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Bob Stratton Bald/SlickRock Creek/Citico Creek   Backpacking: Joyce Kilmer/Citico Creek Wilderness - RESCHEDULED  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Jun 27 2019  6:45 am >> Sun, Jun 30 2019 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:45 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, May 15 2019 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Jun 25 2019 7:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Days 13 Hours 15 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Distance:24 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Michael Johnson
Mike Pawloski
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:2
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Total mileage carrying backpacks, excluding day hikes is 24 miles.

Day 1: We'll hike 3.5 miles to camp our first night on top of Bob Stratton Bald. This is a spectacular mountain vista high above the valleys with awesome views. About 1k' elevation gain.

The 2nd day we'll hike down into the Slickrock Valley, with a short detour to have lunch on top of Hangover. Total distance will be about 8 miles, but we'll descend about 3600'! Over 15 yrs ago, I wrote the following description of this valley for a different hiking club. Thanks to Kristi Eide for forwarding this to me, since it was long lost in my book.

"Come join us in the valley of the giant toads and fat bats.  We camp beside gentle rapids a short distance from Wildcat Falls. In a November trip I watched a small Black Bear walk across the top of the falls and disappear quietly into the forest. During the day, you can swim, hike, read, or do just about anything you want to do.  Once we set up camp, we’ll stay there until it’s time to go back to the city. At night, for the more brave hearted, you can venture from the security of the campfire and look at the glowing worms or sit beside the giant croaking toads.  Also, if you walk down to the top of the waterfalls and look up at the sky at twilight, you can watch the fat bats doing their best on bug control. Don’t worry, no vampire bats here!"


The 3rd day, we're not breaking camp. Leaving Slickrock is hard to do, since it's such a beautiful valley. I can bring the group to Lower Falls as one option. But this will be completely up to you. So if you want to stay near camp, that's fine with us. If you want to explore a different area near our base, we can discuss it the night before at camp. This is a wild and scenic valley so I don't recommend hiking alone, even though I have many times...still, since it's for experienced backpackers only, I'm trusting you in advance to be able to handle yourself in the wilderness.

If the group decides to hike along Slickrock river on Saturday, water shoes will help the many river crossings. I plan on bringing a pair, because I love walking along Slickrock creek. There are typically two river crossings too deep to cross without getting your boots wet, before getting to camp on the 2nd day as well.

The 4th day (Sunday) we'll hike up the Slickrock Creek trail gaining back all that elevation real quick on the north face of Naked Ground. The first 2.5 miles are relatively easy, but the next 3 miles go up almost 3k' and there were parts where it was so steep we dug in with our hands, feeling more like a climb than a hike. The views near the top and just north of Naked Ground are beautiful looking down over the valley below. Then a more gentle push to Stratton Bald, and then back down to the cars. The mileage on Sunday is only about 12.5 miles, but it's the elevation change that gets you. Since this will be a tough long hike, we plan on getting an early start Sunday morning. We can eat lunch at the top of Slickrock creek trail, near Naked Ground, or wait until Bob Stratton Bald if that works better based on our pace and energy level's.

UPDATE: The route up Slickrock creek trail up the back side of Naked Ground had a lot of trees down, making a hard steep hike up the mountain, much harder. I will try to find out if it's cleared out before we get there, but we plan to do it regardless. So if you want to do this trip, train and get strong!! That's the 12.5 mile route, with a 3600' elevation gain.

NOTE: If you have allergic reactions to yellow jackets, please let us know and please carry an epi-pen. I will be carrying anti- histamines for emergencies as well. In May, I doubt they'll be a problem, but it's possible. Their nests get increasingly large throughout the summer, and they get increasingly aggressive as well, which is one of the reasons we choose to go in spring.

If you haven't done D6 backpacking trips with us, I will need a way to find out your fitness level and your experience. This will not be a race, from my point of view, but to avoid injury or lack of time spent near each of our base camps, it's mandatory, that you are experienced in mountain backpacking. Thanks for your cooperation in advance.

We will allow a maximum of 10 people, but you will remain on the wait list until we clear your fitness and backpacking experience level. The list will be done first come, first serve, but you'll only have a short time to contact the trip leaders of your capabilities before you're skipped. It's not complicated, just be prepared ahead of time, and you'll be fine.

In addition to Trip Leader Pawloski's dog, Kody, we will allow one more dog on the trip.  Your furkid should be well behaved and experienced in backpacking.  This is not the trip to test your dog on mileage, wilderness hiking, or sleeping in tents.

Both of those pictures were taken from Hangover Knob on previous backpacking trips.

If you would like to read an article I wrote several years ago, which is not exact, but it does describe the hike down Slickrock creek, and the hike up the face of Naked Ground, here you go:

https://www.atlantaoutdoorcl ub.com/event/archivedetails.asp? eventid=3780

So, if you read that, you now know that there are yellow jackets. In May, as mentioned previously, they shouldn't be as bad as they are in Sept.  Also, as previously stated, if you're allergic, let us know and bring an epi-pen.  There are ways to limit getting attacked, but none of them are guarantee's.   It's an unfortunate side effect of being in that beautiful country...

Michael Johnson

Mike Pawloski

 

 


Required Items to Bring:

Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Appropriate clothing, rain gear, headlamp, cooking utensils, food and water. See backpacking event list link.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

camera, hat, daypack/fanny pack, water filtration system, beverage of choice, musical instrument, fire starter, first aid kit


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Will be distributed at the Park and Ride

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):282Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:45 am
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Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $112.80 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
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