Joyce Kilmer Poplar Grove - Stratton Bald - Hangover

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Joyce Kilmer Poplar Grove - Stratton Bald - Hangover

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest - Robbinsville, NC

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Apr 13 2024 3:00 pm >> Sun, Apr 14 2024 12:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 12:00 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Apr 8 2024 8:12 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Apr 10 2024 7:12 pm

Event Duration:

21 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Distance:

8.5 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Mark

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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

This is the 2nd of a two-part back-to-back backpacking series where we will camp on or near high mountain balds. The first event of the back-to-back trips is "Gregory Bald Backpacking". You may sign up for either or both of these two events.

With only 1800 vertical feet over 2 days, this event is somewhat easier than the first of the back-to-back events. We will meet at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to explore the grove of giant Poplar trees. After about a mile of walking through these magnificent trees, we will load up and drive on sometimes rough unpaved roads past the Swan Cabin and to the upper trailhead access to Stratton Trail. It will be late in the day, but we have less than 2 miles and a little over 800 vertical feet to reach our camping spot on Bob Stratton Bald.

The next morning we will hike a total of 5.75 miles (1093 vertical ft climb). Our destination is Hangover with incredible views of the Smokies, Fodderstack, and Slickrock Creek Valley. We will double back, taking the Stratton Trail back to our cars.

I will be asking every participant about their recent fitness level and their experience carrying an overnight backpack. I will be asking you questions about your equipment and backpack weight and your experience carrying that weight.

Required Items to Bring:

Tent, backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, raingear, warm coat, warm hat, headlamp, toilet paper, lightweight camp stove with fuel, utensils, cookware, food for meals, food for hiking (energy bars or snacks), water filter and/or treatment, and water.

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

Hiking poles stove, Ibuprofen, snacks, matches, change of clothes for return trip in car.

Here is a packing list I used while thru-hiking the PCT in 2018. It is customized for colder weather in the Sierra. It may not be as useful here, but it could prevent you from overlooking some necessity.

https://lighterpack.com/r/zjiavf

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Drive to Robbinsville, NC. From Robbinsville, follow directions to Cherehola Skyway (NC 143 West).

Shortly after you pass Snowbird Lodge, turn bear right on Santeetlah Road.

Follow signs to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Left turn off Santeetlah road onto Joyce Kilmer Road.

We will meet in front of visitor center at parking lot.

Google Directions

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VzGE7UnYWREZDb338

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

0Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

12:00 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Notes:

Day 1 - Map

Day 2 Map

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.