Blue Ridge Backpackers

Backpacking Clinic on the Chatooga

April 28, 2012 · 9:00 AM
Bilo

The Eastatoe Heritage Preserve is temporarily closed to camping due to dead and dying trees in the area. Therefore, we are changing the location to the Chatooga River. We will be going in at Burrel's Ford and hiking towards Ellicott Rock. There is a large camping area at approximately 1.5 miles in near where the East Fork intersects the Chatooga. As before, you have the option to day hike in and attend the clinic. I apologize if these changes affects your plans.

You guys can arrange car pooling from Greenville, meet at Clemson, or drive to the trail head. Just make sure you note whether you are day hiking or staying over night.

Directions to the trail head: To get to the trail head, take hwy 28 through Walhalla towards Mountain Rest. Turn right on hwy 107 in Mountain Rest as if you were going to Oconee State Park. Continue approximately eight miles and turn left on Burrel's Ford road. The trail head is about three miles on the right before crossing the river. There is a large parking area on the left just before the trail head.

Join or login to comment.

Nancy Gentry

This was GREAT!! and for those of you who did not get up in the middle of the night the fireflys were amazing!!!

0 · May 2, 2012
Hank Hermann

Shelton and Nancy did a grat job and pick a great place. Really enjoyed it and look forward to more backpacking adventures.

0 · April 29, 2012
Theresa

What a great weekend with a great group of people. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Sheldon did a great job and I learned so much! Hope to see everyone again on future trips! I think I found a new passtime:)

0 · April 29, 2012
JIM SIMPSON

Great venue, perfect weather, awesome people. A real ten and then some.

0 · April 29, 2012
A former member

Any time spent in the woods is a good time. Any time spent laughing in the woods is a even better time. This was a fun trip with fun people and I enjoyed meeting all of you. Hopefully everyone gained a little more knowledge and I appreciate all that shared their experience.

0 · April 29, 2012
Mike

Very informative, Shelton knows backpacking and is willing to share his thoughts and experience.

0 · April 29, 2012
Alan C.

Continues to be a great group of folks. Enjoyed the info and picked up a few tips to try. Sorry I could not stay over this trip. Thanks for organizing.

0 · April 28, 2012
Alan C.

Shelton, see you guys at the trail head. I'm bringing an extra hiker.

0 · April 28, 2012
Brad Smith

It looks like we need to cancel :-(
Hate to miss out. Hope everyone enjoys it though.

0 · April 27, 2012
Theresa

I will be at the trail head. My 1st backpacking trip so I hope to learn alot. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

0 · April 27, 2012
Brad Smith

We will meet all y'alls at the trail head.

0 · April 27, 2012
Nancy Gentry

I plan to do some "freezer bag" cooking - I will do this for lunch

0 · April 27, 2012
Hank Hermann

Jim Simpson and I are planning to go straight to the trail head

0 · April 27, 2012
A former member

With all that being said, I want to stress again that this clinic is for all of you that need to learn. You will get the most out of this by asking questions and participation. In other words, you will get out of it what you put into it. Finally, a note to backpackers. This is a short hike in guys so don't be afraid to bring some extra gear to show. I'm bring a tent and hammock. Looks like the weather will be nice for hanging on the river. Look forward to seeing you there.

0 · April 26, 2012
A former member

After we have covered all the basics and answered all questions we can relax and enjoy the river. Day hikers are welcomed to stay as long as you like. Just keep in mind guys that this is your opportunity to learn hands on. Don't be afraid to ask to try out gear. The purpose of this clinic is to help you make better choices in choosing your gear. Climb in tents, lay in hammocks, try out stoves, put a pack on and hike a little, do what ever you need to learn as much as possible.

0 · April 26, 2012
A former member

Most of us don't normally cook lunch but perhaps some of us can do a hot lunch demonstrating the use of different types of stoves and lunch options. After lunch we will begin discussing basics. Many of you have been to the two previous classes and I want you to get the most out of this clinic. Therefore, between now and Saturday you guys need to think of any questions you have concerning the basics of backpacking. We will do an open discussion and everyone will have a chance to share.

0 · April 26, 2012
A former member

Just want to give you guys an idea of what to expect. Once we arrive at the campsite, the backpackers will begin setting up their gear. During this time feel free to observe and ask questions. After everyone is set up, as a group, we will go around to each individual setup and the backpacker can discuss his or her gear, why they use the gear they have, how it works for them, past experiences that led to gear choices, etc. Afterwards we'll probably break for lunch.

0 · April 26, 2012
A former member

Guys I have some extra gear if you're wanting to stay over night and need to borrow something. Just let me know.

0 · April 23, 2012
A former member

Mike, we should be at Burrel's Ford by 10:00. Brad, you're welcomed to bring your dog.

0 · April 23, 2012
Nancy Gentry

Brad I am planning on bringing my dog

0 · April 23, 2012
Brad Smith

Are leashed and well-behaved dogs OK?

0 · April 23, 2012
Mike

OK Shelton, I will park there too, wonder what time I should be there. And I will be camping, in case I haven't said so yet. I will be in a white 99 Ford Explorier.

0 · April 21, 2012
A former member

Mike, you can go down to the bridge but there is limited parking. I plan to park in the Burrel's Ford parking lot, by the brick outhouse. Well, maybe a couple of spaces up wind.

0 · April 18, 2012
Mike

So that is the parking lot that has the brick outhouse or do you stay to the right and go down to the bridge?

0 · April 16, 2012
A former member

Hey Mike, scroll up to the hike description on this page and you will see directions to the trail head.

0 · April 16, 2012
Mike

I need to know where the trail head will be, I don't want to drive to BiLo and backtrack back up the mountain.

0 · April 16, 2012
JIM SIMPSON

Hi everyone. I plan to camp and am looking to carpool from Greenville. I can ride or drive. Any interest ? [masked]

0 · April 16, 2012
Nancy Gentry

Mike we will meet at the BiLo and carpool to the trailhead

0 · April 16, 2012
Mike

So where is this going to take place, please give me so directions I will attend. I live in Walhalla......thanks, Mike

0 · April 16, 2012
A former member

I spoke with Jason earlier and he suggested the Chatooga River Trail near hwy 76. This would be a short hike into a large campsite on the river. We will try to make a decision as soon as possible and update accordingly. I apologize if this affects your plans however this one is out of our hands. Dang, that rhymed! I'm a poet and didn't know it!!

0 · April 9, 2012
A former member

Hey guys, need to thank Phil for passing on some important information about camping being closed in the Eastatoe Heritage Preserve area. I called Greg Lucas with the DNR and he informed me that the area is closed to camping due to a large number of dead and dying trees. I'm quite sure the forest service will organize an effort to solve this issue however it will not happen in the month of April. Therefore, we will have to move this event to an alternate location.

0 · April 9, 2012
Gina

As we get closer to the date, I'll know if we're going in Friday night or not. Would like to, and maybe hike out to meet the crew Saturday morning at the trailhead...

0 · February 18, 2012
Gina

No, Nancy, there's no cost to park or camp. Eastatoe is backwoods camping.

0 · February 18, 2012
Nancy Gentry

Is there a charge to camp??

0 · February 18, 2012
Christopher A Churray

shelton i will be meeting you at the trail head. It is closer for me to go through travlers rest

0 · February 18, 2012