Start making your plans for this trip. We are looking into a day trip to Jackrabbit Mountain/Hanging Dog and possible Tanasi again.

what's the $20 for? Is that the p/p camping fee? What about kids, do they pay too?

I will look into family friendly activities for the kiddos, including kid-friendly rafting. Will post more info closer to the date.

Ditto Elizabeth's question...is this the Tumbling Water camping fee? 3 nights?

Yes, the fee covers all three nights per person. We'll pay Tumbling Waters with what's collected. So all you will have to do is take care of any ice, trout or fire wood you happen to purchase from Joe (Tumbling Waters).

Kid Friendly Trail Content: We drove up to Jackrabbit Mountain this weekend. It's about 1 hour (MOL) southeast of Tsali. They have about 15 miles of trail that the entire family can enjoy. It's like a huge pump track, all technical sections are optional, every thing else is buff high speed trail.

Getting there Thursday. Looking to do right and left loop Friday morning. Anyone else getting there early and want to do a ride Friday.

Tank, I think I am going up on Thursday as well. I will probalby want to do that ride.

The $20 price is per person for the weekend. Children under the age of 5 are free. The campground is filling up quickly so please RSVP and pay as soon as you can. Full refunds are given up to 7 days before the event.

Just wanted to touch base with the families: The girls and I will be riding the Smokey Mountain Railroad on Saturday morning out of Bryson City. Reservations would be a good idea since it's a holiday weekend. After that we will head into Cherokee to check out the Rez.
Sunday we will head to Jackrabbit mountain for a family ride/hike/picnic.
tons of non-riding things to do can be found here http://www.greatsmokies.com/local.html for those with little ones or non-riders.

Is there a schedule for rides and such yet?

For those arrriving on Thursday, does the $20 cover that night as well? Or do we need to make separate arrangements?

Diane, Paul is coordinating with the campground, he's out of town right now. We'll have to get back with you on that question.

Bill, David H is coordinating the ride schedule but there will be plenty of options (Tsali, Jackrabbit, Tanasi, Fontana, ect...). Folks are also welcome to impromptu plans around the campfire as well.

Oh Yeah, There also the Panther Creek Trail, rock throwing distance from the campground, for a quick ride with 14 creek crossings!

I paid a while back, but am not going to go. Consider my $20 as a donation to the trip! Cheers.

Hey folks - please remember to pay for this event through PayPal. If you need to pay at the campground please send me an email to discuss the process. Finally, don't be concerned about cancellations as we offer a full refund up until 7 days before the event (campground rules).

What aout a nightride at tsali ?

Uhhh...Wayne??!! Is this the same Wayne that fell off the mountain in broad daylight last year? :-D

Anyone interested in hitting Bent Creek on the way out Friday?

Scott and others: I can't make the trip to Tsali but I can meet for a Bent Creek ride on Friday afternoon. Whoever wants to ride Bent Creek on Friday send me an email, davidmaida7@yahoo.com

Scott & David, I'm in for Bent Creek....but would like to set up camp before dark if possible.

In addition to biking, there is excellent flat-water paddling on Lake Fontana. I'll be bringing my kayak.

Jen & I are in for a ride at Bent Creek. Thinking about a 1 - 1 1/2 hour ride but can be swayed. Any thoughts on a meet up time?

Is noon a good meet time for everybody at Bent Creek on Friday?

Illl be bringing my kayak as well, through I'm still new to it.

@David thanks for leading this ride? Is there any opposition to a 1PM ride? Should we meet at the Hardtimes Trailhead?

A heads up for the folks that are thinking about heading down to Jackrabbit Mountain on Sunday. The SABA folks are asking about how many people plan on attending and if we want to do a cookout/ride or ride/cookout. Feel free to post up here or email me with your preferences and we'll get it planned out with SABA.

SABA also has their annual Crane Creek Vineyard Road Ride if anyone is interested in that.

1:00 is cool for the bent creek ride. Lets meet at Rice Pinnacle parking area.

please RSVP here for the Bent Creek ride http://www.meetup.com/torc-nc/calendar/13542079/?success=...

@Tim, +2 on SABA ride\cookout

Is tumbling waters doing the cookout Saturday night like they did last year? When can we sign up if so.

@Tim re: Jackrabbit Mtn. Looks like an interesting trail system and about an hour from our campground (?). I'm interested in checking it out and maybe a cookout afterwards.

Jen & I are interested in Jackrabbit and cookout. Would the cookout occur at Jackrabbit and BYO food or buy in???

Looks like the Sunday JRM ride is going to be popular! Lunch will be BYO. There a couple of picnic tables and a couple of grills for our use. The SABA folks will be bring an additional Grill.

@Tim - just one thing. Riding Bent Creek Friday, assuming Tanasi Sat., IF Jackrabbit Sunday then when Tsali?! Are folks going to stay to ride Tsali Monday (I would). I'd prefer to ride Tsali Sunday if a Monday Tsali ride will be void of riders, y'know. I love Tsali and it's so close.

Doug, there's a Tsali Ride on Friday Morning while the main group of folks are traveling up the hill. Saturday is a bit of "roll your own", I'm guessing groups will be going to Tanasi as well as Tsali. Chillhowie is even an option for the more adventurous. Monday has always been hard to judge since everyone has the option of hitting stuff in Pisgah on the way home, we can try and nail something down on Friday and Saturday evening when everyone is in the same general area (campfire).

Just planning the food for the weekend. Are there any group meals? Also we'll be bringing the kids 9 and 13. We'd like to do a family ride, but wouldn't mind riding with an adult group also. My husband and I would like to take turns riding with a goup maybe one in the morning. One in the afternoon.

Counting the days....

Tentative ride schedule has been added to the meetup description.

My Ride Plans: call me beforehand to plan on riding together: Friday: 1pm or 4pm, Tsali, Left-Right loops. Sat.: 10am, Tsali, Thompson-Mouse loops Sun.: 9am departure to Ocoee parking. I volunteer to guide the fun IMBA trail and then Tanasi trails. Hang at pub afterwards. Mon.: 10am departure (all packed up) to either Tsali or Kitsuma! Remember that Tsali may have elbow-scraping/eye-whacking brush so wear glasses and consider a light long-sleeved shirt. Call to talk more: 336-682-0050

Liz--- thanks for Jack Rabbit on Sunday. It was a good time. We were tired when we got home.

Taped the battery back up and was able to get the pictures downloaded. Great seeing old friends and making new ones. The kids and I are looking forward to the next family trip!

Deb has a good trip report up on the TORC site:
http://www.torc-nc.org/2010/06/ride-report-torc-tsalitana...