Is this a day hike... Or were u planning to camp?

Ralph,
Good question. I was planning on camping Sat night somewhere along the loop. We could cover most of the miles on Sat and have a short out Sun morning or go 1/2 way on Sat. There are lots of trails in this area so we could put something together that is longer if that is more appealing to folks. I was also planning on camping Fri night about 1.5 mi in from the parking area. I would hike back out to the parking lot to meet the folks that wanted to start on Sat morning.

I may be up for it, been a while since I hiked those trails. I will see how it shakes out! thanks for hosting it!

I would be interested in camping Saturday night, maybe Friday night, also.

If I remember correctly from hiking 50 milers there, the Uwharrie trail was about 12 miles long and the Dutchman was about 10 miles.... or the reverse. Do u think there would be interest in hiking up one and back the other... from Wood Run to Ophir, camp then back the next day? Little more challenging! Yes, I'm nuts.

I'd be interested in hiking in and camping on Friday night as well. I could leave Raleigh about 5 or 5:30 on Friday, after I get off work. Looking forward to getting out w/ this group.

I'm planning on a Friday - Sunday stay as well. I was planning on leaving Friday late morning, but will leave later if i can carpool. IF someone drives I'll pick up all the gars there and back. Otherwise, is there a time people are meeting at the trail head on Friday?

gas, not gars...sorry.

Ralph: The Dutchman/ Uwharrie Trail loop you described sounds OK to me. I looked briefly on line and it looks like about 20 miles and that we could camp along Dutchman creek and have water. Maybe the others can comment on switching to a 20 mile hike vs the 12 mile one in the description.
I plan on leaving Raleigh that Friday after work around 5 pm. I would like to car pool too. I can either drive or pay for gas. I can send an email to everyone later to work out logistics.

Hey Tom
It is up to the group as to what they want to do. I am good with anything. Not sure if i will make it Friday PM until closer, I am about 2 1/2 hrs. away. Do you know Yates Place. It is a more northern campsite with the parking lot at the site. No 2 mi. hike in the dark. Just a thought.

I am also ok with attempting a longer hike, though I'm kinda in the same boat as Wendy. I'm ok with the distance, but I'm not a speed freak when it comes to hiking, though I can keep a decent pace.

Sounds like myself, Tom, Rob, and Wendy are all ok with carpooling from Raleigh after work on Friday and we are all ok w/ driving and w/ sharing gas. Is it worth asking who has the most space in their vehicle?

I have a Honda Fit, which fits 4 people, but don't know if I could get all 4 packs in the hatchback. If folks only brought packs, it's probably ok, but most trips, I know folks bring extra stuff that then stays in the car, so that would be tight in my car.

The Uwharrie/Dutchman Creek Trail (21 miles) sounds good to me. There's parking at the Yates Place as well as a campsite at the trail head. Good considering arrival time might be after dark.
I have the luxury of a flexible schedule, so I'll leave earlier in the day to set up the fire pit and scope things out. That way there should be ton's of room for you guys to carpool. Maybe i'll even test my new backpacking oven on you guys! Cinnamon Rolls!

Sounds like a plan is coming together. Lets plan on the 21 mile loop. If Yates Place is the trailhead, is there some place about half way around the loop (or figure 8) from there to camp with water? I have a beat up Chevy Tahoe that seats 5 and has plenty of room for gear. No trunk, so whatever you leave at the trailhead is visible.

Sounds like others have a bit more car room than I do. I'll be happy to pitch in for gas though. As for leaving time, just name the time. I typically am off at 5, but could get out a little early if needed (prob 3ish). I'll go w/ whatever the majority (or driver) prefers.

This gig is NEXT MONTH isn't it??? Making sure I didn't miss something. I will need to look to see if I have my quad maps. I will bring them and you can decide which way to go. If you go online you might be able to find them, certainly order some.

Rob...I do have my quad maps..Ophir is at the north end and hunt camp on the south end and Yates is about midway on a spur. Question you asked is dependent on how many miles first day for camping and water availability. We could probably figure that out there. I don't remember where we camped before , but I will look and make a suggestion if you like. Each of us should be able to carry water for at least one dry camp if necessary. So what is for dinner Friday night, r u cooking?

I'm a little late to the party, but if there is room I would be interested in carpooling as well. I also have a honda Fit, so not the most spacious car in the world. I am in Chapel Hill not far from I-40, so if people are okay with a slight detour, maybe I could get picked up on the way.

I would love to up it to 20 miles. And I can carry some extra water if people are concerned about weight.

Ralph...I have a topo map of that area. I'll have to find it. It's not as good a quality as the quad maps. I agree we can figure out details of the hike later. I can carry water for a dry camp but if we can find a wet camp that makes things a little easier. Dinner Friday for me is probably fast food along the way. Maybe some smores?

Wendy...we'll set up a time to meet at the trailhead. It looks like everyone is going Fri which will make it easier. We can coordinate rides a little closer to the time. Others may still sign up. I'll plan on driving. I live in Apex. I leave stuff in my Tahoe at trailheads all the time. It's just not anything of value or anything that looks like someone would want to break in for. If it turns out we can all fit in mine then it is fine to leave stuff in there.

Random Q - depends on the weather, but are dogs allowed on this trip and if allowed, how do folks feel about having a dog along? I've backpacked w/ my boy dog a few times and he loves it, so I was debating about bringing him. But if folks would rather he not come (or if it means I'll be driving myself), he can stay home with the hubby. Just thought I'd ask. It doesn't hurt my feelings if folks say no.

I have 3 dogs myself but don't take any of them camping and backpacking because to be considerate of other park users and within the LNT principals, the dog would need to be restrained the entire time. I always felt it was either inconsiderate to others to let dogs run up and down the trail, or inconsiderate to the animal to be leashed the entire time. The trail of least resistance always lead to leaving them at home.

Fair enough. :) He can stay home.

Rob: What's the water situation?

Rob and Roy (interesting) what about making a water source at the South end of the trail(24/27 parking lot}. Could stage a fill-up there, maybe close enough to the first night trail camp that it will work,

Roy and Ralph. Sorry I dropped out of the dialogue for a while. I finally found my Uwharrie guide book. We can start at Yates Place, take northen loop of Dutchman's, then western loop of Uwharrie Tr. About 10 miles we hit camping along Wood Run Creek which should be flowing this time of year. 24/27 parking is another couple miles. I like the idea of staging water there just in case. Sunday is about 12 miles back the opposite side of the two loops of the figure 8. Roy - you going to join us?

To the group: I just updated the description to better reflect what we have talked about here on the chat board. It's now Yates Place trailhead and the 22 mile hike. I have a couple pages of a trail guide I will email to everyone. With the email I'll also gather some info from everyone to help facilitate ride sharing. Less than 2 weeks to go. Looking forward to it.

So is this a day hike or overnight backpack on Sat?