Sat, Jul 18 2009 - Panthertown Valley (View Original Event Details)
|  |
We set out from the west (Salt Rock Gap) entrance on the Panthertown Valley Trail #474 for 1.6 mi. to our campsite. After setting up camp we headed to Schoolhouse Falls, an easy hike along the Panthertown Valley Trail and part of the Little Green Trail #485. We stopped for wading and pictures, but didn't tarry long since it was too cool for swimming. Since everyone was game for more we set out on a waterfall quest, heading back down to the main trail and taking the Devils Elbow Trail #448 to a side trail leading down to Warden's Falls. After taking in the sights we crossed the river, taking another side trail that connects with the Powerline Road Trail #451. We took this for a short distance and branched off to the west on the North Road Trail #453 for 1.3 miles until it intersected the main trail. Crossing the main trail we took the Mac's Gap Trail #482 past several campsites and then the Great Wall Trail #489 until we reached the Granny Burrell Falls where we had fun frolicking in the water and sun bathing on the rocks. This was a great find. When we'd had our fill we continued a short distance down the Great Wall Trail to have a look at the shelter, and then backtracked to the main trail, seeing a pack of Lamas on the way. Once on the main trail we gathered and dragged fire wood on the mile hike back to our campsite. A total of about 8.6 miles for the day.
Back at the campsite we enjoyed snacks, beverages, dinner, and conversation. We went to the beach for a while, meeting a group from Ashville that were camping out there. Upon returning to the campsite the girls did a great job of starting and tending the fire. As always, this was a great time for sharing and building friendships. Ann started us on a game of "truth or lie", where we found that one of us had supported herself through school by being a stripper (lie), one of us knows Nora Jones and her parents (truth), one of us under grueling cross-examination claimed to have seen Dennis Rodman at the Buckhead Ritz Carlton (truth), etc. I won't divulge more to protect the guilty and the innocent.
Sunday morning we were up, fed, and ready to hit the trail by 9am. As promised, we started by ascending Little Green Mountain to take in the views of the valley. After descending the mountain and reaching the Mac's Gap Trail the consensus was to seek out more waterfalls, so we took the Mac's Gap Trail east to the Greenland Creek Trail #488, then took a small challenging trail to Pothole Falls. I suspect few visitors to Panthertown see this aptly named falls. Fighting our way back up to the main trail we passed the branch that Ralph missed on the way in that would have taken us to Mac's Falls (probably easier, also), but time did not permit us to venture down that path. Once back on the main trail we continued heading east until we reached the east (Cold Mountain Gap) entrance. Caroline speculated this was actually part of my secret agenda since I had mentioned wanting to see what the other parking area looked like. We then headed west on the Panthertown Valley Trail back to our campsite, broke camp, ate lunch, and loaded up for the trek back to the parking lot. Probably a little under 8 miles of hiking for the day. Upon reaching the cars everyone was rewarded with an ice cold beverage for a job well done. We were back at the car pool lot by 5pm.
Calendar of Events
Event Places