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Savage Gulf SNA (Tennessee)


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Home Forums Campfire Member Trip Reports Savage Gulf SNA (Tennessee)

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  • #1226597
    Shawn Basil
    Member

    @bearpaw

    Locale: Southeast

    My fiancee and I headed out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving this past November, with plans to hike a figure 8 in the eastern half of Tennesee's Savage Gulf State Natural Area. We had made contingencies for either a 3 or 5 day loop dependent on weather, mood, and trail conditions.

    Tuesday, November 20, 2007

    We self-registered at the Savage Ranger Station. We began heading up the Savage Day Loop, We headed to the intersection with the South Rim Trail, and I hung a waterproof bear bag with food for the second half of our trip. With a much lighter pack, we then pushed up the Day Loop until we hit the North Rim Trail. My fiancee, who does NOT like suspension bridges, made it clear I would have to go first.

    Suspension Bridge

    As we proceeded along the North Rim, we encountered many excellent overlooks, and fall colors were surprisingly strong despite the drought that has plagued the southeast this past season. The best viewpoint by far was Tommy Point Overlook, with views into three major gorges, about a mile before Hobbs Cabin.

    Tommy Point Overlook

    We arrived about an hour before dark. Leslie began gathering firewood and I visited the water source. It was very dark water, and though I filtered it, it still looked like weak grape Koolaid. I considered heading down the Connector Trail to look for some more water, but my financee agreed to go with this stuff for the evening. At least we had a warm dry home for the night and we had it all to ourselves.

    Hobbs Cabin

    We nestled in and spent a comfortable night.

    Wednesday, November 21, 2007

    We awoke and discussed our options. Leslie's ankle was sore and a bit swollen from a twist she took the previous day. Also, the sky was threatening a nasty day. We has planned on pushing up the North Plateau Trail to Dinky Line Campsite, 5.7 miles away. Under the circumstances, we chose to stay at Hobbs.

    We spent the morning relaxing and gathering firewood, as the temperature was beginning to drop. I considered heading down the Connector Trail for water, but considering the skies, I waited, hoping I might be able to gather water the easy way.

    A father and son arrived just after noon, and the sky opened up. I strung my tarp out to catch water and had a couple of fresh gallons just a half hour into the storm. Inside, we all enjoyed a good fire, a good dinner, and dry sleeping.

    Building a fire

    The kitchen area was also very convenient:

    The Kitchen

    We went to bed happy and content.

    Thursday, November 22, 2007

    The next morning was wetter, colder, and mistier than any other previous day.

    A cold misty morning

    We decided not to push for the long day necessary to get back on track. We would have had to churn out about 13 miles to do so. In the cold mist, we decided to simply push an even 10 miles back to the Savage Ranger Station and out. Thus we headed out from Hobbs Cabin.

    Me at Hobbs

    The North Plateau Trail was more level than the North Rim Trail, though longer by a couple of miles with few good water sources and no views to speak of. However, the cold, wet mist spurred us on to make excellent time. Our orange pack covers and wind gear made us readily visible to hunters in the area.

    The Dont Shoot Special

    After just a very brief stop to grab some food at Dinky Line Camp, we moved on quickly. Leslie took the straightest route back to the ranger station once we reached the Savage Day Loop again. I doubled back to the other intersection where I hung the resupply cache and met her again about a 1/2-mile from the trailhead.

    We headed out and enjoyed Thanksiving dinner at a Chinese Bufet. Though the trip was shorter than originally planned, we enjoyed it immensely, especially the last day or so of fall colors before the storm and cold rain of that Wednesday and Thursday brought down nearly all the remaining foliage.

    #1415066
    Joseph Jacaruso
    BPL Member

    @captainjac

    Locale: Southeast

    It always great to see pictures from someone else's trip. I hate the rain made you cut it short (even if the rain was welcome relief for the area). I know how disappointing that can be.

    But then there's always the next trip!

    #1415071
    Shawn Basil
    Member

    @bearpaw

    Locale: Southeast

    Leslie and I are hoping to hike the other half of the planned figure 8 over Martin Luther King Weekend.

    #1417473
    Mike Feldman
    Spectator

    @harpin-2

    Locale: SE USA

    Shawn, your description convinced me to plan a 5 day and 4 nite trip in to Gulf Savage 1st week of April instead of section hike on crowded( then) AT in W.NC. Bring my son and meet a songwriting buddy from nearby Nville, TN. Have you hiked in before from the other Ranger station on NE section? Great post Shawn!

    #1417828
    Shawn Basil
    Member

    @bearpaw

    Locale: Southeast

    Yes, I hiked the loop from Stone Door last June. It is a fantastic loop and the actual "Stone Door" offers a fantastic viewpoint.

    I have some pics and a couple of pages from my trailjournal from then: http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=186377

    #1418047
    rick joiner
    Member

    @rhjoiner

    I hike that area often. Nice images. Will be there this weekend hiking from Savage Ranger Station to Stagecoach campsite (6 miles) and then out to Collins East to finish…another 6.

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