View Full Version : 18 Days on Snowbird Creek
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 12:18
Okay boys, I decide to spend August backpacking in the Snowbird wilderness of NC and really get to know the place. For all pics see---
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/
20 DAYS
ON
SNOWBIRD CREEK
TRIP 167
August 15--September 1 2015
HIGHLIGHTS
** 20 DAYS ON SNOWBIRD CREEK
** 10 BACKPACKERS FROM OHIO STATE IN MITCHELL LICK
** SECOND OHIO STATE GROUP LED BY DUSTIN
** 65 HOUR RAINSTORM ON SNOWBIRD CREEK
** MIDDLE FALLS CAMPSITE
** DUSTIN'S GROUP VISITS MIDDLE FALLS
** BACKPACKING BURNTROCK RIDGE TRAIL
** DAY 8 RAINSTORM AND SNOWBIRD FLOODS
** 1-6-5-12(0) THE SNOWBIRD CREEK CROSSINGS
** 3 DAYS ON TRAIL 154
** A 40F MORNING BELOW HOOPER BALD
** CONNECTED MITCHELL LICK WITH 154 ATV TRACK BELOW LAUREL TOP MT
** DISCOVERED TRAIL 415 AND MARKED IT UP TO LICK MT
** OVER HAW MT TO WHIGGS MEADOW
** MEETING WUNKY TWO TIME AT THRUHIKER
** PATMAN FINDS ME AT NAKED GROUND AND WE PULL 3 DAYS TOGETHER
** MEETING 4 AT AND PCT THRUHIKERS ON BOB'S WALL
** PATMAN SEES THE WEDGE AND I CAMP IN LITTLE COVE CAMP
TRAILS
Entrance at Big Junction on Cherohala Screamway
Snowbird Creek Trail 64
Mitchell Lick
**Upper Bird Camp**
Snowbird Creek
**Crossing 6-7 Bearpen Camp**
Snowbird Creek
**Meadow Branch Camp**
Snowbird Creek
**No Crossing Camp**
Snowbird Creek
**Middle Falls**
Trail 64 Alternate
Snowbird Creek
**Upper Jalopy Camp**
Snowbird Creek
Sassafras Creek
Burntrock Ridge
Snowbird Creek
**Middle Falls**
Snowbird Creek
**Bearpen Camp**
Snowbird Creek
Trail 154
**154 South Camp**
Trail 154 and Backtrack
**154 North Camp**
154 Mystery ATV Trail Connecting 154 to Mitchell Lick
Mitchell Lick ATV Trail
Trail 415 Recon and Ribbon Marking up to Lick Mt and Back
Mitchell Lick ATV Trail
Snowbird Creek
**Upper Bird**
Snowbird Creek
Mitchell Lick
Upper Snowbird Trail 64
Big Junction
Haw Mt
**Whiggs Meadow**
Mud Gap BMT
Skyway BMT
Beech Gap
Fodderstack Ridge
Cold Gap
54A South
**Mighty Oak Camp**
54 A South
Four Mile Ridge
Naked Ground
**Airjet Camp Hangover Mt**
Four Mile Ridge
Naked Ground
**Fir Tree Grove Bob Mt**
Cold Gap
**Little Cove Camp in Wedge**
Cold Gap
Fodderstack Ridge
Beech Gap
Skyway Roadwalk
Jeffrey Hell
**Frustration Camp on J Hell Trail**
Jeffrey Hell
Skyway Roadwalk to Flats Mt and Lakeview Overlook and OUT
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-qZqspbJ/0/M/CABIN%20TRIP%202015%20MISC%20032-M.jpg
Here's a map of the Snowbird backcountry in North Carolina. I marked all the trails in red and the creeks in blue.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-rCshsSH/0/M/TRIP%20167%20013-M.jpg
I get dropped off at Big Junction and the high elevation start of the Snowbird Creek trail. It's located off the Cherohala Skyway aka Cherohowler Monkey Screamway hiway 143 motorcycle noise racetrack and find this new trailpost put in by the Cheoah ranger district.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-hdSCft9/0/M/TRIP%20167%20014-M.jpg
I always bring an emergency Thermarest and cache this one off the trail in case my inflatable dies.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-5DmNRz4/0/M/TRIP%20167%20042-M.jpg
The Snowbird Creek trail starts at around 5,300 feet on Snowbird Mt and drops hard to Snowbird Creek with 11 crossings (or 23) and I reach Bearpen Camp after 6 crossings and find it full of redneck trash so I pile it all up by the trail.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-pNpjk9G/0/M/TRIP%20167%20083-M.jpg
On Day 3 I cross the creek 5 more times and reach a big open spot on Meadow Branch for the night. On Day 4 I leave Meadow Branch camp in boots cuz there are no more crossings and run into this group of backpackers from Ohio State.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-2wNvwpb/0/M/TRIP%20167%20115-M.jpg
The Snowbird Creek trail reaches a choice---to take the north 64Alt bypasses 12 more crossings, to go south past Middle Falls means 12 extra crossings. I head down to Middle Falls and camp.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-4zk3dv8/0/M/TRIP%20167%20142-M.jpg
I make it to Middle Falls and set up camp and enjoy one of three major falls on the creek.
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 12:27
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-MrbBJP3/0/M/TRIP%20167%20129-M.jpg
As I stay at Middle Falls I see the same group of OSU backpackers swing downstream on their way out and we hang out at the falls.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-M6wwfGt/0/M/TRIP%20167%20257-M.jpg
The OSU crew leaves and passes by my tent at Middle Falls.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-c8BVRvK/0/M/TRIP%20167%20337-M.jpg
On Day 7 I leave and climb up to 64A trail and pose by the trailpost.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-BZ7SpCr/0/M/TRIP%20167%20184-M.jpg
Trail 64A takes me to a big campsite next to this footbridge across the 'Bird.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-R25JTZV/0/M/TRIP%20167%20203-M.jpg
I cross the bridge and visit the last of 3 major waterfalls on Snowbird Creek and camp by the Sassafras Creek crossing and then on Day 8 head up Sassafras Creek and stop by the highest falls in the wilderness, Sassy Falls!
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-BGxVBhK/0/M/TRIP%20167%20210-M.jpg
Above Sassafras Falls I link up with Burntrock Ridge trail which climbs hard over the ridge and loops back to Snowbird Creek at Middle Falls.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-bvFJHWp/0/M/TRIP%20167%20309-M.jpg
Burntrock Ridge gets me back on Snowbird Creek and I head upstream 5 crossings and stay in Bearpen Camp and get caught in a downpour deluge which causes the creek to rise so I have to wait 6 hours for the water to go down for my next 6 crossings up to Mitchell Lick and Trail 154. Here is one of the crossings.
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 12:37
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-VsVcWP5/0/M/TRIP%20167%20329-M.jpg
On Day 9 I climb up Snowbird Creek and reach its jct with Trail 154 and here is its end with the Kings Meadow Trail.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-6svTLBV/0/M/TRIP%20167%20352-M.jpg
After camping on Trail 154 a couple nights I backtrack up Snowbird Creek to Mitchell Lick and explore for hours on the ridgeline and finally find the elusive Snowbird Mt trail #415 with its green blazed trees so I mark it with red ribbon and follow it a quarter mile until I run out of ribbon.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-mGRffz5/0/M/TRIP%20167%20382-M.jpg
I camp one more night at Upper Bird Camp and the next day climb the tough nut up to Hogjaw Gap and around Laurel Top Mt and reach this blowdown on the trail below Big Junction. Pull out your saw, boys.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-rf4Kp2V/0/M/TRIP%20167%20383-M.jpg
After cutting the blowdown. All backpackers should carry trail tools and help clear every trail they hike.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-d2ddjmQ/0/M/TRIP%20167%20386-M.jpg
There's a neat way to connect Snowbird wilderness to the BMT on Whiggs Meadow and it's by coming out at Big Jct6 and finding the faint trail south of the jct which connects to the Haw Mt trail on an old briar filled logging cut. I reach the top of Haw at 5,500 feet.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-2PXxcTN/0/M/TRIP%20167%20395-M.jpg
My Haw Mt trek pops me out on the 5,000 foot Whiggs Meadow where I set up camp and meet a dayhiker from Charlotte named Wunky who thruhiked the AT in 1998 and 2001.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-Q53KHXS/0/M/TRIP%20167%20402-M.jpg
I set up the Hilleberg tent on the Whigg with big Haw Mt in the background. Go over this mountain and bear right and down and you'll tie into the Snowbirds.
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 12:45
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-hFD289v/0/M/TRIP%20167%20377-M.jpg
On Day 13 I leave the Whigg on the BMT and head north to Mud Gap where I find this exploding penis on the Mud Gap kiosk. Vandals roam the mountains.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-ssBdv62/0/M/TRIP%20167%20453-M.jpg
I stay on the BMT as it heads north and takes me thru Beech Gap and over Bob Mt and down to Naked Ground Gap where I meet my backpacking buddy Patman who is supposed to be on a 9 day trek to Glacier NP but has to cancel due to smoke and western forest fires. We decide to backpack together for the next 3 days and head to Hangover Mt.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-8JbqVKm/0/M/TRIP%20167%20452-M.jpg
Patman hiking along Four Mile Ridge between the Bob and the Hangover.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-K2mcJNw/0/M/TRIP%20167%20446-M.jpg
We make it to Hangover Mt and camp and check out the full moon from the 5,000 foot rocks.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-wJkhQZT/0/M/TRIP%20167%20455-M.jpg
On Day 15 we leave the Hangover on the new BMT and climb to Haoe Peak for a break.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-4HSPzG3/0/M/TRIP%20167%20462-M.jpg
As we make our way to Bob Mt we run into these 4 backpackers. From the left: Donner thruhiked the AT in 2010, DJ thruhiked the AT in 2005, both Dirt Stew and Dormouse thruhiked the AT in 2010 and the PCT in 2014. I call them the Donner party.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-Q3LF8DS/0/M/TRIP%20167%20464-M.jpg
Patman, Donner, DJ, Dormouse and Uncle Fungus.
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 12:51
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-tKTqs6J/0/M/TRIP%20167%20490-M.jpg
On Day 17 Patman and I leave Bob Mt and descend on the BMT to Cold Gap and into the Wedge where I show him a secret camp by Bob Creek. Here's Patman falling off the Bob.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-Ds7r94f/0/M/TRIP%20167%20480-M.jpg
On Day 17 I pick up my cached emergency Thermarest and strap it to the pack.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-fR7KTZx/0/M/TRIP%20167%20277-M.jpg
After I reach Beech Gap I roadwalk the hated loud harley noise-polluted Cherohala Skyway aka the Cherohowler Monkey Screamway. The motorcyclists ruin the BMT from the Whigg to Beech Gap and Cold Gap to Bob Mt---and they really ruin the BMT from Tapoco to Fontana on the new Yellow Creek Mt Trail reroute above hiways 129 and 28.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-hVgn8mB/0/M/TRIP%20167%20174-M.jpg
My trip ends below Flats Mt but I first stop at the Brushy Ridge overlook lookings towards Whiggs Meadow on far left. End of a good trip.
nice trip..............
Mitchell Lick ATV Trail
Trail 415 Recon and Ribbon Marking up to Lick Mt and Back
Mitchell Lick ATV Trail
Snowbird Creek
somewhere in this area is where i got lost last year...........
there's a few different dirt road/tracks up in that area that really got me turned around............
and those signs---wow-----they look nice............just hope they last a while......
i was down on the lower snowbird in july and they werent there yet............
tipi---
gots a request----in your map photo, can you show the top left corner?
and what areas you flagged?
also where the day 9 kings meadow trail sign photo is located on map?
trying to figure out more of the area i was lost in....
particularly that one trail that goes up the hill to the right after making a crossing of the snowbird (where there's a tree with a 'mitchell lick" carving in it).......
Ashepabst
09-03-2015, 17:36
all those shiny signs in Walter's photos are making me question your navigational skills, Kevin. :D
too soon? ;)
They weren't there last year...
or even in July of this year...
Tipi Walter
09-03-2015, 19:56
tipi---
gots a request----in your map photo, can you show the top left corner?
and what areas you flagged?
also where the day 9 kings meadow trail sign photo is located on map?
trying to figure out more of the area i was lost in....
particularly that one trail that goes up the hill to the right after making a crossing of the snowbird (where there's a tree with a 'mitchell lick" carving in it).......
Kevin, here's the top section of the map including Mitchell Lick.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-Z8X8WjX/0/L/TRIP%20167%20363-L.jpg
As mentioned, I took a break in Mitchell Lick and then hiked down the ATV road a bit which heads south and got on the ridge to the East and found the faint green blazes of the Snowbird Mt Trail 415 which I marked with red ribbon for as long as I could---until I ran out of ribbon. My progress can be seen on this map showing the black line running south/southeast from the Lick. Simple enough, except I had to go from green blaze tree to tree and it took hours to find any semblance of trail.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-kBhvcCm/0/L/TRIP%20167%20360-L.jpg
Regarding the confusing ATV split on Trail 154, I walked it and this is an approximation of how it veers off 154 and climbs to the high shoulder of Laurel Top Mt and heads down and west to come out below Mitchell Lick where the Snowbird Creek trail "starts" by a big faded white plastic sign. When you get down to that sign from Mitchell Lick, this ATV track is the one you see heading left and loops around to Trail 154.
I'm discouraged by ATV usage in the area being that 154 is inside the Snowbird wilderness study area, verboten to ATVs.
rocketsocks
09-04-2015, 00:03
Cool, thanks for the pictures and trip report...you were pretty busy cuttin' and clearing blow downs and consolidating trash from some disrespectful humans, Thank you for that.
PatmanTN
09-04-2015, 07:31
Tn Hiker,
I was looking out for it and I believe I found the spot you must of turned left instead of right to wind up in Mitchell Lick like you did. (tipi drew the line in to his map from trail 154). Just south of the first stream crossing is flagging that heads up hill to the left but trail 154 actually goes down to a stream crossing to the right. You got bamboozled by over-flagging. I think half the tape in that wilderness needs to be removed. You can tell fisherman are marking their fishing spots all over that place and i bet hunters are marking their paths and not removing the tape.
BTW, you were so right about Kings Meadow....awesome trail! I found a totally cleared trail that isn't on any map leading down Meadow Branch all the way to Snowbird Creek (starts from the area listed on the Trail Illustrated map as Kings Meadow). Also that last section of Kings Meadow before hitting the junction was some of the steepest trail I've ever seen in the south east. wow
somers515
09-04-2015, 08:15
Tipi, looks like a great trip and thank you for sharing. What was your dinner menu for so many days out in the wilderness?
i have a bunch of stuff on this thread to catch up with so it will take me a while, along with me actually having to work during all of this...............
You got bamboozled by over-flagging. I think half the tape in that wilderness needs to be removed
that was my biggest problem.........
the lower and more populated trails, due to use, arent flagged-----but that one area had all kinds of flagging, going in all kinds of directions...
and that threw me off.........
and this trip, with me seeing the over flagging---is what led me to comment on a thread patman did a while ago talking about flagging another route......
i also looked through all of Tipi's album of photos..........
Tipi----
not sure if you noticed, but between sassafras falls and that little campsite at the intersection with burntrock ridge-----to the left, and across the creek----there was some flagging................i noticed this flagging last year and had asked you about it as well..............not sure if that's the continuation of sassafras falls trail or not (it wouldnt match with the map though).....
also, i noticed the same thing about burntrock ridge trail------it was cut and easy to follow for all except the last quarter of it, going down to snowbird creek...........
also----snowbird mountain trail--------starting out from the lower end of snowbird creek trail from junction, maybe a mile or less----to the left, there's an intersection with flagging as well.............no sign there but i think this would be the lower end of snowbird mountain trail............
Tipi Walter
09-04-2015, 10:58
Tipi, looks like a great trip and thank you for sharing. What was your dinner menu for so many days out in the wilderness?
I have a home dehydrator and most of my cooked meals were either vegetarian chili or home cooked/dried brown rice or Amy's cream of tomato soups. Along with a big bag of snackables---meaning nuts and peanut butter and breads and larabars etc.
the lower and more populated trails, due to use, arent flagged-----but that one area had all kinds of flagging, going in all kinds of directions...
and that threw me off.........
and this trip, with me seeing the over flagging---is what led me to comment on a thread patman did a while ago talking about flagging another route......
There's another trail called the Hooper Bald Trail which is flagged but difficult to follow as it leaves the Hooper Bald gravel tourist trail on top and turns right down some old wooden steps and disappears in a series of switchbacks. I backpacked it once in 2012 and on this trip went up it from 154 and here's my approximation of where it goes---
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-2X2gtMn/0/L/TRIP%20167%20368-L.jpg
Here's the Lost Hooper Bald Trail from 154. Of course, you could take the gravel road to the top instead as it's much easier to follow.
i also looked through all of Tipi's album of photos..........
Tipi----
not sure if you noticed, but between sassafras falls and that little campsite at the intersection with burntrock ridge-----to the left, and across the creek----there was some flagging................i noticed this flagging last year and had asked you about it as well..............not sure if that's the continuation of sassafras falls trail or not (it wouldnt match with the map though).....
also, i noticed the same thing about burntrock ridge trail------it was cut and easy to follow for all except the last quarter of it, going down to snowbird creek...........
also----snowbird mountain trail--------starting out from the lower end of snowbird creek trail from junction, maybe a mile or less----to the left, there's an intersection with flagging as well.............no sign there but i think this would be the lower end of snowbird mountain trail............
On my next trip I hope to start at the bottom of Trail 415 and see how bad it is---the top of 415 though is nearly impassable. Regarding the Sassafras Creek trail---I did see that obvious left trail crossing the creek and I followed it up (with flagging) until it seriously dead ended in a clump of crap. I too thought it may be the real Sassafras Creek trail. But no, the real trail goes past the Burntrock trailpost upcreek as there is faint sign parallel to the creek. Hellish to stay on. If opened it would take you all the way up to Trail 415. Neato.
And yes, I was amazed at the condition of the Burntrock Ridge trail and was happy to hiking a cleared trail but then ZAP the dang thing stopped being cleared and the last 1/4 mile was a battle thru rhodo, briars and thickets. I reached Little Flat Creek and the campsite and then crossed Snowbird Creek to come out right above Middle Falls. Next trip I hope to finish clearing Burntrock.
(i'm still trying to get caught up in this thread, while working so bear with me)....
There's another trail called the Hooper Bald Trail which is flagged but difficult to follow as it leaves the Hooper Bald gravel tourist trail on top and turns right down some old wooden steps and disappears in a series of switchbacks.
yeah............that's how i accessed kings meadow............i came down the steps from the parking lot-----it kinda wrapped around, and passed an intersection with mitchell lick trail (which was signed) and then it kept going until it hit the road near the vacation house.............and from there---i went down the dirt roads that went past a few different hunting type camps, before it hit that one camp on the knoll that had the wooden structure that was standing..........
then from there---kings meadow took a sharp right turn downhill and then ending up down at junction.
i found yellow blazes along the part of kings meadow after that last hunting camp.............
PatmanTN
09-04-2015, 12:21
"hen from there---kings meadow took a sharp right turn downhill and then ending up down at junction."
yeah i initially went down that and the creek to the right wasn't on the map and it seemed like the trail would shoot straight down the drainage. I thought that couldn't be right so I backtracked to the wooden structure and continued down the dirt road for another mile while trying to associate the terrain to the map (kinda hard to do with 1 to 63,000 resolution).
I eventually figured out I was walking beside that deerlick ridge (or whatever it's called) on private property and turned around yet again to the wooden structure. tricky stuff there on kings meadow....a half dozen places to make a bad choice.
....a half dozen places to make a bad choice.
yup
thats why I was fully expecting to be lost on kings Meadow trail on my first day out----and not on snowbird creek trail on my last day out...
thought hts the upper parts of snowbird and around Mitchell lick would be as easy as the lower part but I was way wrong on that...
yeah i initially went down that and the creek to the right wasn't on the map and it seemed like the trail would shoot straight down the drainage.
yeah...........it just hugs the drainage on the side of the hill...............
i camped on one of the ridges that was maybe half way down to the right...........
Regarding the Sassafras Creek trail---I did see that obvious left trail crossing the creek and I followed it up (with flagging) until it seriously dead ended in a clump of crap. I too thought it may be the real Sassafras Creek trail. But no, the real trail goes past the Burntrock trailpost upcreek as there is faint sign parallel to the creek. Hellish to stay on. If opened it would take you all the way up to Trail 415. Neato.
yeah.......i figured that flagging wasnt right and that the trail should have continued on past that little campsite at the intersection (which i loved).................
i would absolutely love to see if there is still a way to open it up to get to 415..................it would be a chore though.........
Kevin, here's the top section of the map including Mitchell Lick.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-Z8X8WjX/0/L/TRIP%20167%20363-L.jpg
As mentioned, I took a break in Mitchell Lick and then hiked down the ATV road a bit which heads south and got on the ridge to the East and found the faint green blazes of the Snowbird Mt Trail 415 which I marked with red ribbon for as long as I could---until I ran out of ribbon. My progress can be seen on this map showing the black line running south/southeast from the Lick. Simple enough, except I had to go from green blaze tree to tree and it took hours to find any semblance of trail.
https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/SNOWBIRD-PRETRIP/i-kBhvcCm/0/L/TRIP%20167%20360-L.jpg
Regarding the confusing ATV split on Trail 154, I walked it and this is an approximation of how it veers off 154 and climbs to the high shoulder of Laurel Top Mt and heads down and west to come out below Mitchell Lick where the Snowbird Creek trail "starts" by a big faded white plastic sign. When you get down to that sign from Mitchell Lick, this ATV track is the one you see heading left and loops around to Trail 154.
I'm discouraged by ATV usage in the area being that 154 is inside the Snowbird wilderness study area, verboten to ATVs.
in the first photo--------coming down from the Lick to the letter "A" on the map----there was a dirt road that straddled private and public land.....
thats the road i was walking down that i ended up spending the night one.............maybe about 2 miles from the lick, off to the left of the road there was a little spot i used for a tent.......
for the second photo-----the black trails coming from the red appear to be what i was on when i got lost...
i came up from snowbird creek trail and hit that flagging, and those dirt roads, and it wound back over to the Lick.........
and thats when i knew i was lost..........i kept saying to myself "it makes no sense that im going to the west and south when i need sorta east and to the north".............but, i kept thinking the trail would make some weird wrap around and come out near the bald....
i was wrong on that one...
Tipi Walter
09-06-2015, 09:40
in the first photo--------coming down from the Lick to the letter "A" on the map----there was a dirt road that straddled private and public land.....
.
The dirt road does straddle public land coming out of Mitchell Lick for a short while but then the road veers southwest off the ridge, leaving the ridge to the east alone which is how I found the green blazes for Trail 415. While the road leaves the ridge, the private land boundary does stay on the ridge and is right next to 415 and the red national forest markers, making locating and putting ribbon on 415 all the more difficult.
18 days - I guess you resupplied what three or four times? :)
Always enjoy your trip reports Tipi. I'm not so sure how doing unsupervised "un Okayed" trail maintenance on some trails would go over. I think it would definitely be frowned upon. I agree with you though that some hand pruning, lopping, foldable hand sawing, and swing blading would be beneficial from hikers on many trails.
"Cherohala Skyway aka Cherohowler Monkey Screamway hiway 143 motorcycle noise racetrack." LOL. We are a country that is massively obsessed with the wheel and going fast. Seems the only way to do that in this morbidly obese diabetes prone country is to take to rolling Lazy Boys. The bikes were out in mass in Big South Fork this last week too.
For the first time in GSMNP on the AT a few wks ago I noticed briars at the higher elevations to largely be void of thorns ...very unlike the briars on the BMT, Slickrock, and Snowbird areas. Have you ever noticed that?
misterfloyd
09-07-2015, 09:08
Tipi,
Always enjoy your reports and the many pics. Thank you for doing this and sharing these with us.
I'm really surprised that with all the cut backs that the state of NC is doing that there is new signs in Snowbird. I can see that you had a map, but for us who are always reviewing our map and compass skills, how accurate were these signs. Silly question I realize but I have wanted to go to this area for a long time. Got to get a map, I would like to go this fall. By your pics, I'm surprised by all the company you had.
Maybe you are not, I'm also surprised by all of the garbage you found up there. Thank you also for all of the trail maintenance you are doing as you go along. Guess you shamed me to get my wife's pruning clippers next time out into the gorge.
Thank you for all that you do and share.
Floyd
BTW that is one mofo of a pack!!!!
Tipi Walter
09-07-2015, 09:35
For the first time in GSMNP on the AT a few wks ago I noticed briars at the higher elevations to largely be void of thorns ...very unlike the briars on the BMT, Slickrock, and Snowbird areas. Have you ever noticed that?
I can't compare the two areas since I rarely go into the Park because they feel they need to tell me where to camp every night---and it's impossible to know where I'll be camping on Day 10 or Day 15 of a long trip.
"Walls of Briars" are a common occurrence in the Citico/Slickrock and on parts of the BMT and for these the best solution is to go slowly and carry a pair of hand pruners. It's much easier to cut and clip a big briar or sawbriar in your face than to fight thru it.
Tipi,
I'm really surprised that with all the cut backs that the state of NC is doing that there is new signs in Snowbird. I can see that you had a map, but for us who are always reviewing our map and compass skills, how accurate were these signs. Silly question I realize but I have wanted to go to this area for a long time. Got to get a map, I would like to go this fall. By your pics, I'm surprised by all the company you had.
Maybe you are not, I'm also surprised by all of the garbage you found up there. Thank you also for all of the trail maintenance you are doing as you go along. Guess you shamed me to get my wife's pruning clippers next time out into the gorge.
Thank you for all that you do and share.
Floyd
BTW that is one mofo of a pack!!!!
The signs in the 'Birds are accurate but there are places where signs are needed the most and don't exist. Namely, finding the Snowbird Creek trail below Mitchell Lick. Or finding the Burntrock Ridge trail by Middle Falls. And as mentioned, many of the 'Bird trails on the map don't exist in reality---just never maintained and unwalkable.
Two major trails in the 'Birds do not exist: The Sassafras Creek trail above the falls and the Snowbird Mt Trail 415 from Mitchell Lick down to the bottom by Junction. This is a shame as these two trails make up a big percentage of the overall Snowbird trails.
And then there are the illegal ATV tracks inside the Snowbird wilderness study area---not allowed of course. Trail 154 is ruined by ATV usage---as is the Mitchell Lick area.
Ashepabst
06-01-2016, 22:14
i have a few days next week that i'll be able to spend in the backcountry and i'm thinking i'd like to see the falls on Big Snowbird. i was considering doing the loop with King Meadows coming from the Skyway.
Tipi Walter, your trail journals from a 2012 trip painted the King Meadows Trail in an ugly light. Is it that bad? I'd just assume take my time down on Big Snowbird Creek if the ridge trail is that ugly.
i'm also thinking about a loop over in Citico with South Fork and Brush Mountain.
i hiked kings meadow back in 2014-----that was the trip i got lost in the mitchell's lick area...
as for kings meadow----i was fully prepared to get lost on that one, as i had read tipi's report on how bad it is...
however, i found it fairly easy to follow...
there was only one really tricky part and that was near some cowboy camp where one leaves the dirt road system coming down from hoopers bald......
once i was off the dirt roads and onto a trail----it was seemingly easy to follow...........had some faint blazes and some ribbons to help the route.....
and it was a cruise going down to snowbird creek trail.......
in the meantime, the SAWS crew has cut and apparently put some signage in the kings meadow area last year, i think is when they did it..........
so, it should be easier to follow.....
the tricky part for me was the mitchell's lick area and the side trail after crossing snowbird creek, which i thought would lead me up to hoopers bald.............
now that i sorta know what i did wrong----i hope to go back there and confirm my thinking....
brush mountain? whoa................now that one was a different story........
however, with tipi's cutting of it last year i think, it should be easier to follow.....
along brush mountain, coming up from south fork, was easy all the way for a couple of miles, and then it became difficult to follow....
had to use my map and my head to find my way through that one...
near the top, along some area filled with rocks and what not---i spent 2 hours going back and forth trying to find which way the trail would go before i realized it took a hard turn........
comparing my trips, before all the cutting on both trails---i found the kings meadow one much easier to follow...........and except for the park of me getting lost, it was such a great trip........
snowbird creek area is so beautiful.........
Tipi Walter
06-02-2016, 01:06
What I meant by Kings Meadow being ugly was all the redneck trash I saw near the top below the vacation home below Hooper Bald.
Ashepabst
06-02-2016, 10:29
OK, cool. thank you both for chiming in. I'm looking forward to it --been talking about doing a trip at Snowbird for awhile now.
I've collected a bunch of notes on the more confusing areas from your conversation above and previous Snowbird threads, and I sketched-in Walter's approximation of the rouge ATV trails below Mitchel Lick.
I wonder if this is a good time to visit Hooper Bald --azaleas up there? too early for phlox?
not sure about the hoopers bald bloomage...
when i did my trip, and i parked at the hooper bald parking lot, i didnt venture out to the bald as one can pick up kings meadow trail without going directly out to the bald....
also, fwiw, if you do park at hoopers bald and get confused about how to get outta the mitchell lick area------you can always take the way i took out...
at the tree in the open field area, which would be sorta in the north east ish area (and theres a fire ring near that tree)----theres an old roadbed that goes steeply up the hill..........and theres blue blazes along the trees up there...
that will take you out to the skyway, as i believe its the top end of snowbird creek trail, after a few miles, and will take you out to the big junction (i think thats the name for it) pull off.............where apparently theres a new sign there as well...........and then its just about a mile or so of a road walk back to hoopers bald..
if you drive in from the tellico side----youll pass this parking lot/overlook area before you get to hoopers...
also, if you do find out how mitchell lick connects back from snowbird creek trail to the bald-----take notes....
i need to get back down there and confirm my thoughts about it.....
oh, and have fun.......
Tipi Walter
06-02-2016, 10:45
I wonder if this is a good time to visit Hooper Bald --azaleas up there? too early for phlox?
Any season when the motorcyclists take over the Cherohala Wadway is not a good time to be anywhere near Hooper Bald or in the Unicoi Mts. Once down on Snowbird Creek though and the harley roars abate a bit. Hooper Bald is a terrible place to be due to racing motorcycle noise. I camped on top of Hooper once but it was in a 153 hour rainstorm with cold temps and fog. Repelled the two-wheeled rolling couch potatoes.
The best way in my opinion to access the 'Birds is to park at Big Junction (yes on the Scarway) and follow the upper Snowbird Creek trail 64 along the ridge to Hogjaw Gap and down very steeply to Mitchell Lick AND THEN find the left-leaning continuation of the trail thru the Lick to an ATV trail and the actual Snowbird Creek trail.
Another option is to park at the Hooper Bald lot and get lost trying to find the Kings Meadow and/or Mitchell Lick Trail 154 as there are two possible routes---one easy past the bar gate on the gravel road (look for signs down the road a bit), or taking the wooden steps down from the Hooper Bald trail into a hell zone of old footbridges and no trail.
Tipi Walter
06-02-2016, 10:52
The best way to find Snowbird Creek trail when standing in Mitchell Lick?
** Stand in the Lick with the firepit and tree to your immediate right.
** Hike straight ahead on old ATV road past a wall of briars on your left.
** This road continues straight along the ridge and offers access to Trail 415 Snowbird Mt Trail if you know where to look on a faint trail off to the left.
** Anyway, go past the briars on the left and notice a small cutout logging cut past the briars on the left, but not far from the Lick firepit and tree.
** At this faint old cut turn left and go past some briars and veer slightly right and down a faint trail with possible red ribbon and you will Tee an ATV road.
** Turn left on the ATV track (if you turn right you will arrive at the road that goes back to Mitchell Lick).
** Follow this ATV track to a little turnaround with an old creek sign and here the Snowbird Creek trail sort of veers right and down into the watershed.
** The ATV track at the turn around bears left and connects to the illegal ATV track running up and around a ridge to connect to Trail 154 as shown in pic two on Post 22.
** Follow this ATV track to a little turnaround with an old creek sign and here the Snowbird Creek trail sort of veers right and down into the watershed.
is this the area that has the handwritten sign saying "15 minutes to snowbird creek" (or something like that)?
Tipi Walter
06-02-2016, 14:49
is this the area that has the handwritten sign saying "15 minutes to snowbird creek" (or something like that)?
Yes, used to be a white styrofoam type sign there. I have a pic of it somewhere.