24 Days with the Cranberries

[Tipi Walter]

I return to the mountains of TN and NC for a long 24 day winter trip---with one food/fuel load of about 60 lbs and a 100 lb pack including various winter items like a down parka and microspikes etc.

Trip 203
February 27--March 21, 2020.

All trip pics can be seen here---

https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/

I hiked in two wilderness areas---Citico Creek and Slickrock Creek---and here are the main trails hiked---

**Flats Mt Up and Down (hiked it twice).
**Brush Mt Up.
**Seven Mile Ridge from Bob Bald to Hangover Mt.

**Hangover Lead South/Big Fat Trails Down.
**Nutbuster Trail aka Upper Slickrock Creek Trail Up (my 48th backpack of the thing).
**Fodderstack Ridge Trail Heading North.

**Pine Ridge Trail Down.
**Flats Mt Trail Back Up and Out.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-GFBtqC2/0/111b96e5/XL/Trip%20203%20%287%29-XL.jpg
My trip starts with a shuttle ride out of Tellico Plains and up to Flats Mt at 4,000 feet on February 27. This is the Flats trailhead and also shows my monster McHale pack loaded with too much crap.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-3LMqpZm/0/8e694bb9/XL/Trip%20203%20%284%29-XL.jpg
Nothing better than full leather goretex boots in the winter---and when hauling tremendous loads. These are Zamberlan Evo Lites.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-bPzMsQZ/0/fbb34b6d/XL/Trip%20203%20%2812%29-XL.jpg
Flats Mt is a 6.25 mile trail and midway along I set up right off the trail at this new and never used CS---with my Hilleberg Keron 3 tent.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-s8WFWGv/0/c3b6429a/XL/Trip%20203%20%2824%29-XL.jpg
In the morning new snow falls and it's cold enough to notice but I stay warm in my WM -15F Puma down bag and my down clothing.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-L3kXjnf/0/85f36614/XL/Trip%20203%20%2849%29-XL.jpg
I lose thousands of feet of elevation off Flats Mt and end up on Citico Creek camping when I meet my backpacking friend Bryan DeLay out for a night on the South Fork Citico trail.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-L9jqdGf/0/39c380d5/XL/Trip%20203%20%2851%29-XL.jpg
Bryan's cuben tarp in a modified tipi configuration.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-NSKkSnB/0/2bd3962b/XL/Trip%20203%20%2862%29-XL.jpg
I leave South Fork and cross the creek and head up the most remote and rugged trail in the Citico---Brush Mt. There are 7 easy creek crossings on the trail and this is number 1.

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-hcxMzn5/0/a29d3891/XL/Trip%20203%20%2863%29-XL.jpg
Here's a pic of pretty Brush Creek aka Ike Creek as seen from the Brush Mt trail.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-3rXSDxn/0/ffff653f/XL/Trip%20203%20%2868%29-XL.jpg
Day 4 is a tough day of backpacking as I pull alot of the Brush Mt trail in one go and stop at this little creek for camp water.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-rC7DcMz/0/b179992c/XL/Trip%20203%20%2881%29-XL.jpg
As I fight my way up Brush Mt I reach this pesky blowdown which slows me down so I pull out the folding saw and cut a way through.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-z96g3gC/0/c3109fbd/XL/Trip%20203%20%2882%29-XL.jpg
Luckily the big log falls the right way and I get thru with my ginormous pack.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-sKkKqMT/0/6c58d4dc/XL/Trip%20203%20%2895%29-XL.jpg
I finally reach the top end of Brush Mt trail and it's cause for celebration as my campsite is only a couple hundred yards away---and it has water.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-qRq8F8g/0/4dedde6e/XL/Trip%20203%20%28101%29-XL.jpg
Brush Mt pops me out on Trail 149 where I set up camp and around dusk I see my first Cranberries---backpacking kids from the Cranbrook School in Michigan---out for their 11 day wilderness expedition.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-r5XsFCg/0/9a57ca8b/XL/Trip%20203%20%28113%29-XL.jpg
I leave Barrel Gap Camp on Trail 149 and climb up to Bob Bald and set up camp and see my old friend Rob Bush with his son Ashton. It's a great surprise and makes my day. He's carrying his usual massive Dana Designs Astralplane pack.

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-gz3QsVz/0/f9ef58b9/XL/Trip%20203%20%28116%29-XL.jpg
And unbelievably Rob brings his giant Hilleberg Keron 4GT tent ---and just in time for a cold and windy and snowy night on a 5,300 foot NC bald.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-KHPKMMM/0/236ad25a/XL/Trip%20203%20%28117%29-XL.jpg
Rob's big Keron 4 tent which has a vestibule with its own zippered door. The vesti is big enough by itself to sleep two people.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-DM9NpFB/0/db6b6546/XL/Trip%20203%20%28128%29-XL.jpg
I take dinner from my camp and join Rob and Ash in their big tent during a very cold and windy night.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-Rt33Cnd/0/77f1ba3d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28131%29-XL.jpg
Meanwhile my tiny little tent sits a hundred yards away in its own cocoon of warmth. It's a Keron 3.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-Kc8Zjpd/0/b88bd2a0/XL/Trip%20203%20%28132%29-XL.jpg
The next morning dawns cold and clear and Rob's tent looks nice.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-69j9M6f/0/b8258d91/XL/Trip%20203%20%28163%29-XL.jpg
And another big surprise comes when my backpacking buddy Hoppin John from Alabama shows up and so it's a grand gathering of like minded souls. He's setting up his Big Agnes tent.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-BNtq6XQ/0/123b948d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28204%29-XL.jpg
Later 18 boy scouts show up on the Bob and we end up with 22 total people and many tents---for one night.

[Last Call]

Great report and pictures....how far is that from Savage Gulf/South Cumberland?

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-tvzVjcF/0/4ab6f11b/XL/Trip%20203%20%28180%29-XL.jpg
Rob slings on his favorite vintage Astralplane pack. Ashton watches in horror.


https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-mBHtCpH/0/d773f32a/XL/Trip%20203%20%28197%29-XL.jpg
And so it's time for the gathering to disperse---Rob and Ash hiking 9 miles out on the Stratton Ridge trail---Hoppin John hiking 3.5 miles down to Beech Gap.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-p3PP9rP/0/3d0fb0b1/XL/Trip%20203%20%28213%29-XL.jpg
One of my favorite pics---of Hopping John taking off with his new McHale pack.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-FBNCXnb/0/2e46a95d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28231%29-XL.jpg
I too leave the Bob on an 8 mile day and swing over to Hangover Mt and down Hangover Lead South/Big Fat trails to Slickrock Creek---a loss of about 3,200 feet.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-Js5rTLH/0/ab293b0c/XL/Trip%20203%20%28240%29-XL.jpg
Since I'm on Slickrock Creek I cross it two times to set up camp here by Wildcat Falls.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-nXLH8LN/0/ef1855e1/XL/Trip%20203%20%28282%29-XL.jpg
I leave Wildcat Falls and backtrack up Slickrock Creek 2 crossings and find Jim and Josh and Sherrye with their Cranberry kids.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-p6CgpRH/0/0f8098f1/XL/Trip%20203%20%28251%29-XL.jpg
This is Jim's pack---a Fjallraven thing with a wooden frame.

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-BLMVGcH/0/e4454e5c/XL/Trip%20203%20%28259%29-XL.jpg
Josh gives the kids tips on how to cross Slickrock Creek with big packs.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-nGnWbCp/0/881faf10/XL/Trip%20203%20%28272%29-XL.jpg
A successful ford and Josh is happy.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-QXCsP8f/0/6280e9af/XL/Trip%20203%20%28311%29-XL.jpg
I say goodbye to Josh and his group and head up leg 1 of the Nutbuster trail---Upper Slickrock #42---and run into Gordon's group coming down the same trail.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-KcD4knH/0/4c6cf39d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28308%29-XL.jpg
As I head up the Nutbuster trail I watch Gordon's group cross Hangover Creek.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-3gWRKLm/0/5f912f98/XL/Trip%20203%20%28357%29-XL.jpg
Unbelievably I run into yet another Cranbrook group on the Nutbuster trail---this time it's Jeff and Emma and Alex.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-3QBF2PM/0/a74dd142/XL/Trip%20203%20%28336%29-XL.jpg
Jeff is carrying a Mystery Ranch Terraplane pack.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-WSLthkQ/0/455c89d7/XL/Trip%20203%20%28350%29-XL.jpg
On leg 4 of the Nutbuster trail (there are 10 legs total) I run into my next Cranberry group led by Paul (front) and Audrey.

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-KSQdnqs/0/52ccfc1a/XL/Trip%20203%20%28363%29-XL.jpg
This is what makes the Nutbuster trail so fun, especially with an 80-95 lb pack---BLOWDOWNS. This is on Leg 5 of the beast. Supposedly the "hardest trail in the Southeast".

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-Fk4QczB/0/eb88123f/XL/Trip%20203%20%28386%29-XL.jpg
The reward of backpacking up the Nutbuster trail is reaching this gap and looking down into NC towards Kilmer wilderness and Robbinsville.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-8fKfMnt/0/c5e25688/M/Trip%20203%20%28404%29-M.jpg
I leave the high gap and climb up to Bob's Wall and Bob Bald and stop for a breather.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-mjNHQrh/0/44fe5df6/XL/Trip%20203%20%28396%29-XL.jpg
The last Cranberry group I see on my trip is Greg Miller's up on Bob's Wall at around 5,400 feet.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-Cjd4kTd/0/7118e21d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28412%29-XL.jpg
After a long 10 mile day from Naked Ground Gap to Pine Ridge I reach Citico Creek in high water and put on my crocs for this ford.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-szRgWc4/0/6a9a1c3f/XL/Trip%20203%20%28428%29-XL.jpg
After crossing Citico Creek I head up North Fork Citico trail and camp here by this little waterfall above NF Creek.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-fncVM46/0/38241073/XL/Trip%20203%20%28433%29-XL.jpg
North Fork Creek connects to South Fork Creek trail and so I check out SF Creek in high water. Last year during a 2019 drought this is what SF Creek looked like---Next pic---

[Tipi Walter]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-hjR23MC/0/6b44a0e4/XL/Trip%20200%20%2820%29-XL-XL.jpg
Same exact place on South Fork Creek---but during a drought.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-hqjNb62/0/f813a548/M/Trip%20203%20%28455%29-M.jpg
I leave South Fork Creek on a long day of backpackaging and climb up Flats Mt as shown.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-sMkhBG4/0/76bc4d11/XL/Trip%20203%20%28474%29-XL.jpg
On Day 24 I leave Flats Mt and hike out to my shuttle pickup point.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2020-Trips-202-/24-Days-Without-A-Smartphone/i-TZmppbx/0/911bc50d/XL/Trip%20203%20%28473%29-XL.jpg
All trips must end and this one ends in a fog so thick my shuttle driver doesn't see me sitting on the side of the road---until later. And so ends another great trip.

[SoaknWet]

Dam Sir, for the first time ever I wish I was young again. Fantastic pictures and even greater outing.

[Tipi Walter]

Great report and pictures....how far is that from Savage Gulf/South Cumberland?

You got me but I'm sure someone will know.


Dam Sir, for the first time ever I wish I was young again. Fantastic pictures and even greater outing.

Thanks for the comment. I wish I was young again too. Hit 70 in July---if I don't catch a bug before then.

[TNhiker]

Great report and pictures....how far is that from Savage Gulf/South Cumberland?



google maps has it at just over 2 hours 30 minutes....

[CalebJ]

As always, great trip report and photographs.

[Slugg]

Is the Nutbuster part of the BMT?

Great report, enjoyed as always.

[kestral]

Great photos. Thank you for sharing. Thems some Big packs!

[Last Call]

google maps has it at just over 2 hours 30 minutes....

Thanks! Just Googled mileage from my home to Stone Door, 312 miles; 4:48 hours/minutes....long ways from here, need to get back there when things are back to normal....where is the closest trailhead to Tipis' "Nutbuster" trail?

[Tipi Walter]

Is the Nutbuster part of the BMT?

The BMT passes thru Naked Ground Gap which is where the Nutbuster trail ends.

Great report, enjoyed as always.


Thanks! Just Googled mileage from my home to Stone Door, 312 miles; 4:48 hours/minutes....long ways from here, need to get back there when things are back to normal....where is the closest trailhead to Tipis' "Nutbuster" trail?

The closest trailhead---which I assume you mean road access---would be in Big Fat Gap where the Big Fat trail drops down 1,500 feet in 1.5 miles to access the bottom start of the Nutbuster trail.

The other would be Wolf Laurel road which quickly accesses Stratton Ridge trail up to the BMT and then down to Naked Ground Gap and the top Nut trailhead.

[Rain Man]

Thanks for sharing once again Tipi! Great photos. Great report! As always.

[martinb]

That Keron 4 is yuge! I don't think I've ever seen anyone camped in that area either. Is it just down from "fir grove" heading to the bald? I have to say, it looks perfectly in place in that morning pic.

[Tipi Walter]

Thanks for sharing once again Tipi! Great photos. Great report! As always.

Thanks Rain Man.


That Keron 4 is yuge! I don't think I've ever seen anyone camped in that area either. Is it just down from "fir grove" heading to the bald? I have to say, it looks perfectly in place in that morning pic.

He chose that spot because it was out of a bitterly cold wind which is a normal feature of the bald.

[Ewker]

Tipi, Is that the most people you have seen out on your trips

[Tipi Walter]

Tipi, Is that the most people you have seen out on your trips

Yes, around a hundred. The Cranberries made up 95% of that number.

[johnnybgood]

I see most of your wanderings are in the National Forests of N.C. / TN .
Have you taken any or planned for any in Virginia that you’re looking forward to ?

By the way ; good report and pictures . Any book coming soon on your adventures ?

[Tipi Walter]

I see most of your wanderings are in the National Forests of N.C. / TN .
Have you taken any or planned for any in Virginia that you’re looking forward to ?

By the way ; good report and pictures . Any book coming soon on your adventures ?

I've done several long trips to Mt Rogers---by parking at the NRA and hiking 30 miles south to Mt Rogers and Lewis Fork/Little Wilson Creek wilderness areas---and then hiking back to my car at NRA.

[OwenM]

Rob slings on his favorite vintage Astralplane pack. Ashton watches in horror.
Ha! For real. Before finding out just how screwed up my back is, I always looked at y'alls packs, and thought that I'd hate to have to hump loads like that all day. Now, just the thought of getting one on is enough to make me cringe!

Never thought I'd see someone with a bigger tent than yours!:p

[Tipi Walter]

Ha! For real. Before finding out just how screwed up my back is, I always looked at y'alls packs, and thought that I'd hate to have to hump loads like that all day. Now, just the thought of getting one on is enough to make me cringe!

Never thought I'd see someone with a bigger tent than yours!:p

It's the strange allure of the Hilleberg brand. Once bitten the rabid red tent sickness enters the brain and it's Hilleberg all or nothing.

[saltysack]

One hell of a trip as usual! Very inspiring for anyone much less at 70!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tipi Walter]

One hell of a trip as usual! Very inspiring for anyone much less at 70!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The negative perceptions of aging happen most especially for me when I'm NOT backpacking. I.E. couch potato-itis.

[zelph]

You do an awesome job of documenting and sharing.....thank you very much http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/images/smilies/dblthumb2.gif