5th Annual Hiking & Camping Weekend at the Historic Swan Cabin + Optional Sunday Nantahala Float | |||||||
| The Basics: | |||||||
| Event Type: |  | Adventure | | ||||
| Event Location: | | Joyce Kilmer Wilderness near Robbinsville, NC | | ||||
| Date(s) & Time: | | Fri, Jun 3 2011 7:00 pm >> Sun, Jun 5 2011 9:04 pm (Carpool Departure: N/A *log in for location*) | | ||||
| Registration Opens: | | Tue, May 3 2011 10:00 pm | | ||||
| Registration Cut Off: | | Wed, Jun 1 2011 7:00 pm | | ||||
| Event Duration: | | 2 Days 2 Hours 4 Minutes | | ||||
| Difficulty Rating: | | D2: Easy to Moderate | | ||||
| Pace: | | Moderate | | ||||
| Trip Leader(s): | | Charlie Cottingham Bobby Marie Courtney H Tom H  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: | | 25 | |||||
| Minimum Group Size: | | 5 | |||||
| Number Registered So Far: | | 21 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area) | |||||
| Are Dogs Permitted: | | No | |||||
| Itinerary: | |||||||
| OVERVIEW: The ruggedly beautiful mountains of the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness are a mecca for all who love the outdoors. Early June is an ideal time to enjoy the cool temperatures in this high-altitude region. At 4300 ft above sea level, the 80-year old Swan Cabin is a historic rustic log home owned and managed by the U. S. Forest Service on the shoulder of Stratton Bald, the highest peak in the wilderness. Although our AOC event won't formally begin until Friday evening, I have the Cabin and its spacious adjoining patio, yard & meadow reserved and paid for from midday Thursday June 2 thru midday Sunday June 5, so you're encouraged to drive up early and enjoy a longer weekend if you can take the extra day off! 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, which is just a few yards from the Cabin. Feel free to bring the same luxurious camping gear that you might take on a typical 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-food cookouts and breakfasts on the patio, big blazing campfires, optional dayhikes, waterfall walks, scenic driving excursions, and an optional Nantahala River float trip en route home Sunday. (See details below.) Each person or party has the option of sleeping on your camping pad on a rustic bunk inside the Cabin or putting up a tent or in the split-rail-fenced grassy yard or its adjoining large meadow. Year-round, figure on it being at least 10 degrees cooler at the Cabin than in Atlanta, and dress/pack accordingly. There are dozens of beautiful hikes in the area, including an easy 5-minute walk from the Cabin to a waterfall, complete with its own hidden GPS “geocache.” For the AOC archival writeup of our last Swan Cabin trip in August 2010 and 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 MAY 10 OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP HAPPY HOUR & PLANNING MEETING – 6:30-7:30 PM PRIOR to AOC SOCIAL at the PRADO TACO MAC: 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 May Social. (The Prado shopping center is on Roswell Road just a quarter mile south of the I-285 "Roswell Rd" exit in Sandy Springs and has free parking in its multi-level decks.) We’ll introduce one another, discuss our planned activities for the Swan Cabin weekend including group "potluck meals," gear sharing, carpooling, optional hikes & excursions, the Sunday Nantahala float, etc. We'll give out and discuss detailed maps & directions and answer all your questions about the trip. Charlie will follow up on the May 10 meeting with group emails that further summarize and coordinate our meals and activity plans—also assist the group in forming convenient "custom carpool groups" via a system of "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 about 12 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 big split-rail-fenced grassy yard or its adjoining huge meadow which is more level than the fenced yard, but lately has been a bit overgrown. 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 and Colemen-style 2-burner 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 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 feet 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. TENTATIVE GROUP SCHEDULE: THU JUNE 2 OPTIONAL EARLY ARRIVAL: As mentioned above, all who are able to get away from Atlanta on Thursday are encouraged to take advantage of this extra afternoon and night at the Cabin! All are free to occupy the Cabin and surrounding area as early as 1:00 PM. (Those of us who are at the Cabin together Thursday night can consider going on a nice Fri AM vehicle excursion together on the nearby Cherohala Skyway, with gorgeous overlooks along the way and several short scenic hikes en route prior to returning to the Cabin Friday afternoon.) FRI JUNE 3: 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 JUNE 4: 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 at about 10:30 AM we’ll offer a longer 3-hour dayhike from the Cabin to the summit of Bob Stratton Bald and back (moderately strenous, ~5 miles roundtrip, with ~1500’ elevation gain). For a more panoramic view of the Smokies, Fontana Lake, etc. we can continue from Stratton Bald via the “Naked Ground” saddle to the craggy summits of Haoe and Hangover and back – adding an extra 4-mile-roundtrip spur (more strenuous with a few steep portions) to our easier hike up the Bald and back. Beginning at about 6:00 PM Saturday we’ll cap off our hiking adventures with another happy hour on the Cabin patio & porch followed by our "biggest and rowdiest of the weekend" shared group cookout and campfire. We'll let our hair down by the campfire with a wacky "YZARC Party" ("CRAZY" spelled backward! in case you didn't notice.) Wear some sort of crazy or retro clothing or costume (+ perhaps bring inventive props, libations, etc.) and we'll award prizes for the "YZARC-iest" girl and guy! SUN JUNE 5: 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. I strongly suggest that you join me and Bobby for an early afternoon Nantahala River Float (see details below!) en route home. Seven of us had a ball doing that together en route home from the Cabin last August! For carpoolers who choose not to paddle you’ll still enjoy checking out the scenery and whitewater excitement at the NOC’s “Nantahala Falls,” etc. while en route home. For those NON-paddlers who prefer a completely different route back to Atlanta there's a beautiful drive via the Cherohala Skyway and Bald River Falls, TN (re-entering GA near McCaysville and returning to Atlanta via GA-515, I-575 and I-75). OPTIONAL SUNDAY NANTAHALA RIVER FLOAT DETAILS: The famous Nantahala River is located conveniently on US-74 en route home, about an hour's drive from the Cabin. The river's Class I and II rapids are suitable for paddling without professional guides in rental inflatable kayaks (a.k.a. “rubber ducks” or “funyaks”). Last August we had a great experience renting from "EndlessRiverAdventures.com" about 1 mile upriver from the much larger NOC and on the opposite side of US-129. Their rental “ducks” are wide, stable, self-bailing, and available in single-person (recommended) or 2-person models. Their great group-rate rental fee is just $25.00 for a single duck or about $22.50 per person for a 2-person duck and includes your double-bladed paddle, lifejacket, helmet, wetsuit, splash jacket. The fee includes convenient shuttle van rides from their outpost to the put-in (about 7 miles upriver) and back after the float from the nearby takeout. For all who would like to join Charlie and Bobby for this exciting 2-hour float, we’ll plan to rendezvous at the Endless River outpost at about 1:00 PM Sunday where we'll individually register for the next shuttle bus departure at about 1:30 PM. Although they likely will have rental ducks available for that trip on a walk-up basis, it would be best to formally reserve your boat by calling them in advance at 1-800-224-7238—let them know of course that you're part of the Cottingham Atlanta Outdoor Club rental group for 1:00 PM June 5. We expect be done with our paddling trip by about 4:00. Their van drivers will pick us up on river right just downstream of the famous Class III “Nantahala Falls” (which you can easily portage around if you prefer). Changing rooms are available at the outpost prior to our trip home. If you prefer using your own boat, for about a $10 fee Endless River can transport you and your boat to the put-in (with our "duck" rental group) and after the float shuttle you and your boat with us back to the outpost. | |||||||
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| 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! 1) From this "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) When you reach the traffic light in Dillsboro continue straight ahead on US-441 North just 1 mile further. Merge onto US-74 West and stay on it for about 35 miles (passing the Nantahala Outdoor Center and river gorge en route) to the US-74/ US-129 junction in the little town of Topton, NC. 4) Turn Right onto U.S. 129 North and follow it about 11 miles to Robbinsville, NC. 5) At the Robbinsville traffic light continue straight ahead on US-129/ NC-143 for another 1.4 miles (avoiding NC-143-Business) and look for the NC-143 turn sign. 6) 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, and store that number in your cell phone in case of emergencies.) 7) 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. 8) 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. 9) 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.) 10) 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. 11) 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 cleared parking area just uphill of the Cabin and just outside a second (normally locked) steel gate. 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! CABIN PADLOCK COMBINATION (Note Added by Charlie 6/1/2011): Today my ranger friends at the Cheoah District Office of the Nantahala Nat'l Forest tell me that the current padlock combination is "1996." Feel free to unlock and use interior of the Cabin if you arrive before my friend Robert Gauld and I do. 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: | | Log in for location | |||||
| Carpool Directions: | | Log in for 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: | |||||||
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* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events. | |||||||
| Cost Includes: | | Free event! Just bring your own food, refreshments, camping, cooking & hiking gear and a few bucks for the Nantahala float! | |||||
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy. | |||||||