Thu Nov 2: Wilderness Road Campground (GPS: 36.599956,-83.633782) in Cumberland Gap Natl. Hist. Pk. near Middlesboro KY (4 hours from Cincy). Arrive when you can - we are "car camping" in the natl park campground tonight. Will organize car pooling a couple weeks out. We will be camping in group site G-3 and will split the cost. Potable H2O and restrooms available near the campsite.
Fri Nov 3: Most people will probably arrive today. Same camp ground details as above. For folks who arrive on Thur, we will do a day hike today - trail to be determined. Lunch during hike in downtown Cumberland Gap TN. Fri night we will stage some cars at the Sunday exit trailhead.
Sat Nov 4: Break camp by 9am and drive 20 minutes to Ewing VA and hit the Ewing Trail about 9:30am and backpack 8.5 miles to Martins Fork campsite (tent camping - no shelters), via Ewing Trail. We will stop at White Rocks Overlook and Sand Cave along the way. Treatable H2O at Sand Cave and Martins Fork. Pit toilets at White Rocks and Martins Fork.
Sun Nov 5: Break camp by 9am and backpack 2 miles to Hensley Settlement for a self guided historical tour, then 4 miles to staged car(s) via Chadwell Gap Trail - expected ETA at cars 2pm to 3pm. Treatable H2O sources in Hensley and near Indian Rock. Optional 4pm lunch/early dinner: Polancho's Mexican in Middlesboro KY.
Cost is $10 per person to cover group campsite, cost of firewood and to help defray Meetup.com cost (will pass the hat around the campfire) .
TRIP RULES:
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Leave no trace rules and Bear safety to be followed - Must hang food/smellables.
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Well behaved dogs are welcome but must remain on leash.
Please only RSVP “yes” if you actually plan to attend as space is limited on this trip.
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Cost: The cost of gas and permits will be shared.
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Difficulty level: Moderate.
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Distance: A total of 15 miles over 2 days (plus optional Friday day hike about 8 miles)
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Pace: Moderate (we usually break up into hares and turtles).
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Travel time: About 3.5 hours driving time from Cincinnati
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Event rules: Leave No Trace. Pack It In - Pack It Out.
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The trip limit and RSVP deadline can change without notice.
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By signing up and/or participating in this event, you fully accept that I am not, nor have ever claimed to be, a trained backpack trip leader - therefore you are personally responsible for any injury or death you experience during this trip.
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CAR POOLING INFO: The suggested place for people to meet for car pooling is the Meijer Store in Florence, KY located just off Houston Road (take I-75 South then Turfway exit, take Turfway to a left onto Houston, then go about 0.5 mile) - Meijer allows cars to be parked overnight out in the garden supply area away from regular customers. Please use the Comment Posting area below for this event to arrange who is driving and riding, departure times, etc.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS (from Meijer):
Take I-75 S. KY about 154 miles to: Exit 29 - US 25E (Signs: US-25 / Cumberland Gap Pkwy / Corbin / Barbourville). At end of ramp turn left (Corbin Bypass / W Cumberland Gap Pkwy / US-25). Follow US-25 (southeast) for about 45 miles (toward Middlesboro KY - US25 is also called Cumberland Gap Parkway). Stay on US 25E through Middlesboro. You will pass the Cumberland Gap National Park Headquarters on the right, keep going and you will enter US 25E Tunnel. Immediately after exiting the tunnel, take the ramp on right for US 58 toward Cumberland Gap, TN. Stay on US 58 for 2.5 miles and you will see the entrance on the left to Wilderness Road Campground (brown sign) - turn into the campground. Keep taking right turns and you will be on the campground loop. We will be in Loop G – Look for the “Cincy Backpackers Meetup” sign on the G-3 campsite signpost. Max 4 cars in the campsite parking, but overflow parking is across the road by the picnic shelter. My cell is 513 608 2921 if you get lost.
