Joyce Kilmer Wilderness: 6th Annual Swan Cabin Hiking & Camping Weekend

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Joyce Kilmer Wilderness: 6th Annual Swan Cabin Hiking & Camping Weekend

The Basics:

Event Type:

Adventure

Event Location:

Western NC near TN state line

Adventure: Joyce Kilmer Wilderness: 6th Annual Swan Cabin Hiking & Camping Weekend

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Mar 30 2012 7:00 pm >> Sun, Apr 1 2012 2:00 pm (Carpool Departure: N/A *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Wed, Feb 29 2012 10:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Mar 28 2012 10:00 pm

Event Duration:

Fri thru Sun with 2 (or more!) nights at Cabin

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Charlie Cottingham
Michael Johnson

Email Trip Leader(s)
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:

12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

OVERVIEW: The ruggedly beautiful mountains of the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness are a mecca for all who love the outdoors.   The 85-year old Swan Cabin is a historic log home owned and managed by the U. S. Forest Service. At 4300 ft above sea level, it is on is on the shoulder of Stratton Bald, the highest peak in the wilderness. Although several of us sleep in its rustic bunks on each trip, most AOCers prefer putting up tents in the spacious adjoining National Forest meadow.
Our party will be privileged to be the first to stay at the Swan Cabin in 2012, since it is officially closed from January 1st until the last Friday in March each year. Although our AOC event won't formally begin until Fri Mar 30, there will be no other reserved parties at the Cabin on the day or two prior to our arrival, so any of us may drive up early and enjoy a longer weekend by camping in Nantahala National Forest near the Cabin if you can take the extra day off! Another nice option: Backpack with us Thu-Fri from the Cabin area up into the adjoining Joyce Kilmer Wilderness and back. (See our separate AOC article for that "pre-event" and sign up if you're interested!)
The Cabin serves as a convenient base for a wide variety of scenic hikes and excursions in the area. It's about a 4-hour drive each way (180 miles) from Atlanta—see detailed directions below. Although a high-clearance chassis is preferred, ordinary 2-wheel-drive cars normally do fine on the final nine miles of gravel Forest Service roads to the cabin's private parking area just a few yards from the Cabin. Feel free to bring the same luxurious camping gear that you might take on any other carside camping trip, including a large iced-down cooler of food and beverages, a plush air mattress, a camp chair, several gallons of jugged water, etc. (See suggested items below.)
  On our agenda will be sumptuous shared cookouts and breakfasts, big nightly campfires, optional group dayhikes, waterfall walks, and scenic driving excursions.  There are dozens of nice hikes in the area, including an easy 5-minute walk from the Cabin to its own "private waterfall" complete with a hidden GPS "geocache."
  Each person or party has the option of sleeping either in your tent in the adjoining meadow (preferred) or on your camping pad on a rustic rope-frame bunk inside the Cabin, which officially can sleep up to ten. Year-round, figure on it being at least 10 degrees cooler at the Cabin than in Atlanta, and dress/pack accordingly.
  For the AOC archival writeup of our August 2010 Swan Cabin trip with its links to some nice photo albums go to:
http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=2555
  For the AOC archival writeup of our first Club trip to the Swan cabin in October 2007 with links to some incredible fall photos go to:
http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=662

MARCH 13 OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP HAPPY HOUR & PLANNING MEETING –  6:30-7:30 PM PRIOR to AOC SOCIAL at HUDSON GRILLE:  (The Hudson Grille in Sandy Springs is the new venue for AOC 2nd-Tue Socials. It's on Roswell Road 1/2 mile North of the I-285 Roswell Rd exit and about 3/4 mile north of our old Taco Mac Prado location.)
You're sure to enjoy this “drop-in” gathering, so please attend if it's convenient.  We'll grab a couple of tables in rear part of the same area where AOCers will be gathering for the March Social.   We’ll introduce one another and discuss our planned activities for the Swan Cabin weekend including group "potluck meals," gear sharing, carpooling, and optional hikes & excursions. We'll give out and discuss detailed maps & directions and answer all your questions about the trip.
Charlie will follow up on the pre-trip meeting with group emails that further summarize and coordinate our meals and activity plans—also assist our forming convenient "custom carpool groups" via "reply-all" email messages, etc.

CABIN AMENITIES, MEALS, etc.   As mentioned above we can park within a few feet of the rustic Cabin, so think of this trip as “wilderness carside camping” – with an optional rustic bunk and roof over your head inside the Cabin if you prefer. It’s appropriate to bring big ice-filled coolers with cold beverages and fresh or frozen food, 2-burner Coleman stoves, lanterns, lounge chairs, fold-up tables, full-size inflatable mattresses, multiple large jugs of water, etc.—but ultra-light backpacking gear and a small cooler, etc. are also OK if you prefer making do with less stuff and therefore having more room for passengers in your vehicle.
Inside the Cabin there’s a nice woodburning stove, a few chairs and tables, and "dorm-style" sleeping space for up to ten in rustic rope-frame bunks in its three rooms plus loft. In the interest of privacy and more assurance of a quiet night's sleep, most AOCers have chosen to bring their tents on these trips and put them up in the adjoining spacious meadow.
  We always enjoy preparing and sharing our meals “potluck” style. For each of these meals you'd like to participate in, simply contribute a food item of your choice (typically something that might serve about 4 or 5 people) and pitch in with the cooking (if any), serving and cleaning.
  We normally have plenty of propane stoves that everyone is free to use. Also we often use the campfire coals and/or the on-site charcoal grill for cooking.
There’s no electricity or piped water but we bring plenty of jugged water and always do just fine with our Coleman stoves, lanterns, solar showers, personal headlamps etc. and also use the Cabin's woodburning stove, charcoal grill, etc. (See checklist of suggested gear to bring below.)
  We'll plan to keep the woodburning stove inside the Cabin fired up during much of the weekend with a big cauldron of hot water on top and a dipper—use it for your hot chocolate, spiced cider, oatmeal, hot dishwashing water, etc.
   For personal hygiene there’s a “high-tech” $36,000 government-installed toilet in the meadow just 25 paces from the Cabin.
   Cell phone service, by the way, is normally unavailable in this remote area, but a couple of cellular “bars” can sometimes be found at high points on the nearby Skyway, etc.

SUGGESTED GROUP SCHEDULE:

THU MAR 29 EARLY ARRIVAL OPTIONS: As discussed above, all who are able to get away from Atlanta on Thursday are encouraged to take advantage of this extra day and night, and take your pick of the following two options for Thu-Fri:
A: Backpack midday Thu thru Fri afternoon with Charlie and Mike from near the Cabin up to the summit of Bob Stratton Bald. See our article for that "Swan Cabin Pre-event" and also sign up for it if you're interested at this link: http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/details.asp?eventid=4645
B: "Carside Camp" Thu-Fri near the cabin:  Any others who prefer not backpacking are free to pitch your tents in a free National Forest campsite nearby until we get access to the Cabin on Friday (per Charlie's formal reservation and payment).

FRI MAR 30: We encourage everyone to take Friday off from work if possible and drive up early (per pre-arranged "custom" carpools). The I-85 Indian Trail lot NE of Atlanta (directions below) is suggested as a convenient meeting point for carpoolers. For all who have arrived at the Cabin by about 7:00 PM we'll celebrate Happy Hour together followed by a group cookout and campfire on the patio.

SAT MAR 31:   After a big “potluck” breakfast Charlie will lead a brief dayhike to the Cabin’s nearby waterfall – those of you with GPS units will enjoy locating its hidden geocached box. Then between about 10:30 and 3:30 we’ll offer an adventurous series of scenic hikes, all within about 5 miles of the Cabin as the crow flies and whose trailheads conveniently adjoin the spectacular Cherohala Skyway: These will likely include Falls Branch Falls in the "Citico Wilderness," Hooper Bald, and Huckleberry Knob.
  Beginning at about 6:00 PM Saturday we’ll cap off our adventures with another happy hour on the Cabin patio & porch followed by our "biggest and rowdiest of the weekend" group cookout and campfire.

SUN APR 1: After another big group breakfast we can take our time breaking camp and loading our vehicles—then relax awhile and gather by the Cabin for group photos and goodbyes.
  For all parties who prefer a different westerly route back to Atlanta there's a beautiful drive via the Cherohala Skyway, Bald River Falls & Tellico Plains, TN. (It's about the same distance back: Re-enters GA near McCaysville, then continues south to Atlanta via GA-5, GA-515, I-575 and I-75).

Required Items to Bring:

NOTE THAT MANY LISTED ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL.

SLEEPING GEAR:
Sleeping Bag (or Sheets & Blankets)
Pillow
Sleeping Pad, Air Mattress or Hammock
Tent or Hammock (Optional but recommended for extra privacy)

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: (Adjust according to weather forecast.)
Exercise Pants or other comfortable long pants (2 pair)
Hiking Shorts (1 pair)
Longsleeve Shirt (2)
T-Shirt (1)
Socks & Underwear (2 pair each - synthetic preferable)
Comfortable Hiking Boots or Athletic Shoes
Light Sandals or Slippers for leisure & night use, etc.
Jacket, Sweater or Sweatshirt (per weather forecast)
RainCoat or Poncho
Cap or Hat
Sunglasses

SUGGESTED PERSONAL ITEMS:
About 5 Gallons of Water per Person (e.g. in plastic jugs, etc.) based on avg. use of about 2 gal per person per day while at Cabin.
Collapsible Water Bag (with tap) or “Solar Shower” (if you have)
Personal HeadLamp and/or Flashlight/ Lantern & Extra Batteries
Camera & Extra Battery/Memory
Towel & WashCloth
Toothbrush & Paste, Soap & Shampoo
Insect Repellant
Lip Balm & SunScreen

FOR HAPPY HOURS, “POTLUCK” MEALS, LUNCHES, etc:*
Misc. Items to Share for “Potluck-style” Group Meals
Any small entree items you’d like to cook on BBQ grill
Cooler with plenty of ice, favorite beverages & food.
(In addition to crushed ice, pre-freeze plastic bottles/jugs of water for long-lasting solid ice and cold drinking water as it melts)
Insulated Personal Drinking Mug
Misc. Daypack Lunch Items (See “Hiking” below.)
Covered Box or “Action Packer” recommended to protect perishable food items, etc. from critters & rain.
Compact Fold-up Table (if you have and can bring conveniently)
Large Covered Pot & Frying Pan or Griddle (preferably Non-Stick for easy cleanup), + Spatula, Spoon, Sharp Knife or two
Gas Stove (preferably 2-burner)+ Fuel & Lighter if you have
Lantern if you have + Fuel or extra Batteries.

*CHARLIE will provide the following Group-use Equipment & Supplies:
- Medium size Coffee Percolator, Ground Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, etc.
- Charcoal & Starter for the Barbecue Grills, Butane Lighter, Tongs
- 2-Burner Coleman Stove
- Large Water Pot & Ladle for group hot water,
- A few disposable Paper Plates, Cups, & Eating Utensils
- A few Cooking Utensils and a few steel Knives, Forks, Spoons,
- Plastic Wash Basins, Dish Detergent & Scouring Pads for Cleanup,
- Napkins, Paper Towels, Aluminum Foil, Garbage Bags, ZipLocs
- Butter, Cooking Oil, Salt, Pepper, Misc. Spices

FOR CAMPFIRES, COMFORT & LEISURE, ETC:
Lounge Chair
Rain Fly or Canopy Tent (if you have and rain looks likely)
Light Nylon Cord for clothesline, tarp, etc.
1 or 2 Packaged “FireLogs” (or several sticks of Firewood if you have on hand and can conveniently bring) + Saw or Hatchet if you have.

OTHER OPTIONAL PERSONAL ITEMS:
Nature Guides to Tree/Wildflowers/Birds/Stars, etc.
Musical Instrument if you have and like to play.
Reading Material, Frisbee, Ball, Binoculars, etc.

FOR HIKING:
Day Pack or Fanny Pack
Items for your Pack:
Beverage Bottles (or "Camelbak" Hydration System), Map & Compass,
Trail Mix, Apple, Cheese, Sandwich, Chips, etc., Sunscreen
Trekking Poles or Hiking Stick (if you have and like to use)
Personal Handheld GPS Unit (if you have)

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

FROM I-85/ I-285 "SPAGHETTI JCN" INTERCHANGE in NE Atlanta to SWAN CABIN (~185 miles, ~4 hours):
STRONG SUGGESTION TO DRIVERS: Re-zero your odometer at each instruction. Pay close attention to mileages given and driven! The following Lat/Lon coordinates of the cabin may be useful as your entered GPS or Google Maps Destination in conjunction with the following directions: 35.3578,-84.0043

1. From the "Spaghetti Junction" I-85/ I-285 Interchange in NE metro Atlanta take I-85 North about 17 miles to I-985, Exit #113.
2. Bear Left onto I-985 and stay on it and its continuation 4-lane highways for about 96 miles northward all the way to Dillsboro, NC.
(En route, beyond Gainesville I-985 becomes US-23 North, then US-23 is concurrent with US-441 North through Tallulah Falls and Clayton, GA. After taking a single Right turn to bypass Franklin, NC, you reach Dillsboro about 20 miles beyond Franklin via US-23/441.)
3. About 1 mile north of Dillsboro, merge (straight ahead) from 441 North onto US-74 West and stay on it for about 22 miles to the NC-28 right-turn junction near the town of Luada, NC. (Caution! This is 3 miles BEYOND the "NC-28-South" left turn jcn toward Franklin.)
4. Turn Right onto NC-28 North and follow it about 11 miles to the NC-143 left turn jcn toward Robbinsville, NC.
5. Turn Left onto NC-143 West and follow it about 9 miles to the traffic light at US-129/NC-143 in Robbinsville.
6. Turn Right at this traffic light onto US-129/ NC-143 and follow it 1.4 miles (avoiding NC-143-Business) and look for the NC-143 turn sign.
7. Turn Left onto NC-143, and follow it about 4 miles to a stop sign. (Along this leg you may wish to stop at the “Cheoah” Nantahala Nat’l Forest Office on your right—it's open weekdays ~8AM-4:30PM. They have free up-to-date Joyce Kilmer/ Cherohala Skyway materials and clean restrooms. It’s a good idea to call them at 828-479-6431 for latest Nat'l Forest road conditions, weather, etc. - also perhaps store that number in your cell phone in case of emergencies.)
8. Turn Right to stay on NC-143 and continue about 7 more miles, passing a stone “Snowbird Mountain Lodge” entrance sign on your left. About 200 yards past the Snowbird Lodge you'll reach a big leftward curve where the “Cherohala Skyway” begins.
9. IMPORTANT: As this left curve begins, avoid the Skyway by bearing Rightward off NC-143 for just a few yards (toward the “Joyce Kilmer Memorial”) then turn immediately Left onto the paved road that parallels the Cherohala Skyway's guardrail. This is Forest Svc. Road #81. In about 200 yards the pavement ends and FS-81 becomes a good quality gravel road.
10. Follow FS-81 down the hill about 1.3 miles, cross a bridge, turn Left, then continue for about 5.0 more miles beyond the bridge on FS-81 (westward, parallel to Santeetlah Creek) to Forest Svc. Road #81F on your right. (There is normally a “Wolf Laurel / Swan Cabin” sign visible here in the middle of the "Y" fork.)
11. Bear Right (northward) onto FS 81-F and take this winding road uphill for about 2.5 miles (toward the “Wolf Laurel” trailhead). Look for a “Swan Cabin” sign at a small gravel spur road that branches to your left.
12. Turn Left at this Swan Cabin sign (a bit steeply uphill at first) onto the slightly rougher spur road. Pass immediately through a steel gate (which should be unlocked) and continue about 0.2 mile to the small gravel parking area just uphill of the Cabin at a second steel gate. [Note to any campers arriving prior to Fri Mar 30: The first gate may be locked, and if so consider camping elsewhere until Mar 30 at which time the Forest Service assures us it will be unlocked.] Congratulations—you made it! Please try to park in such a way that all other vehicles can also easily park and get out without your having to move your vehicle!

IF "CUSTOM CARPOOLING" with another AOCer: Don't Forget to chip in generously to cover your driver's gas & vehicle expenses!

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

360Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

N/A

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $144.00 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:

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

Cost Includes:

Free event! Just bring your own camping & hiking gear, food and refreshments!

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