Between an uncle in the hospital, and overtime on my first off night, I'm not getting out this week, and am enjoying these overnighter TRs that people are posting.
Here's mine from the last two weeks:
Virgin Falls SNA, TN
Rarest of rare hikes for me, as a friend drove in from NC to join me in camp and for the hike out. I'm solo 90+% of the time.
With some new gear and ideas to try out, and single digit or lower temps forecast, it was a foregone conclusion that I would head to Tennessee looking for icy waterfalls.
Big Branch Falls with horrible lighting:
I've described the hike in along Big Laurel Creek as "magical". The first few miles follow the water downhill, with a variety of features along the way, big boulders, undercut cliffs with dripping water, etc.
Early in the hike, there is a cable for crossing in high water above and below the next two pics:
The creek ends at Big Laurel Falls, which flows back into a cave(big enough to play badmington in, with plenty of room to camp when the water is low).
Pic from the past for size perspective.
The next couple are also from the past, since I didn't get new ones of the middle waterfall, Sheep Cave Falls. It flows from a cave, drops over three separate tiers, and disappears underground into a cave at the bottom of a large depression below.
The grand finale is Virgin Falls. It emanates from a large(mapped by spelunkers) cave, flows 50yds or so, and drops off a 120ft cliff, only to immediately disappear into a "sink" at the bottom.
Here it is on day 1 at 15F.
We camped at the nearby Caney Fork River(another old pic).
Falls the next morning after it got down to 4F.
From the top of the falls, viewing the frozen spray all the way up the opposite ridge.
Gear "testing":
Got to try my Katabatic Palisade and Underground Quilts 50F Flight Jacket quilts together, and they were comfortable at 4F with just baselayers.
New R1 hoody combined with a Ferrosi hoody was just the ticket for hiking at 15F and windy, but I had to come out of the Ferrosi on the way out the next day when temps hit the mid-20s with no wind. Even got a little sweaty in just the R1. I've seen someone post that they hike in the R1 at 50F, but have no idea how…
Cheaha SP, AL
Quick trip on another trail I've done many times, but much closer to home, the Chinnabee Silent Trail.
Here is a brief description from the FS website:
"The Chinnabee Silent Trail is the perfect hike that showcases the beauty of the Talladega National Forest. The 6 mile moderate to difficult trail was constructed in 1977 by Boy Scout Troop 29 from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Talladega. Beginning at Lake Chinnabee, the trail winds beside Cheaha Creek and ends 6 miles at Caney Head atop Talladega Mountain. It is popular because of the spectacular views of flowing streams, rock outcroppings, and waterfalls."
Several times per year, I do both this trail alone as 8-10 mile in/out(skipping 2 miles on the other side of the TH normally used, sometimes adding a loop around Lake Chinnabee), or with attached trails making a ~18 mile loop as a dayhike/training hike/night hike/short overnight.
"Testing" of another new layer continues, the Black Diamond CoEfficient vest.
It was upper 30s, but very damp and chilling, so I thought I might be able to wear it awhile.
Cheaha Falls
After just 1.5 miles of easy hiking, I'm already overheating in the vest and Ferrosi hoody over a Cap2 zipneck.
By the time I reach the Cheaha Falls shelter on a ridge above the falls, I'm coming out of the hoody…
Pics aren't great, but a few miles further, the trail rejoins the creek. The collection of drops and falls that make for one of the most beautiful spots in the state is called Devil's Den.
Unfortunately, this area is readily accessible from another TH with a lake and day use area, so locals and dayhikers trash it, particularly in summer time. I'm out of the vest, even though it's only 38-40F, and just beginning to fill the full-size trash bag I brought(along with several pairs of latex gloves) that will get carried out to that nearby TH.
As usual(like I expect things to change!), I'm in no mood for pictures after cleaning up some fraction of the garbage from the steep ledges people throw stuff from, plus bending a trekking pole doing it. The final pic is of Devil's Den from above.
Thinking 1 night in N. GA next week if I work OT, or 2 at Savage Gulf in TN if I don't. Love hiking in winter here!
