PDA

View Full Version : Benton MacKaye Trail Grand Opening Celebration



Happy Feet
05-21-2005, 12:47
Who: The Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) www.BMTA.org (http://www.bmta.org/)
What: Trail Grand Opening Celebration
Where: Mud Gap on the Cherohala Skyway
When: Weekend of July 16-17
Why: THE TRAIL IS OPEN!

Free camping will be provided, compliments of the Cheoah District, USFS, at Rattler Ford Group Campground near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Saturday: The ribbon (vine) cutting will take place at 11:00 AM at Mud Gap on the Cherohala Skyway near the state line between Robbinsville, NC and Tellico Plains, TN. This will be followed by your choice of two hikes - to Whigg Meadow or Beech Gap. Saturday evening activities include a Chili Supper (hiker-friendly donation) followed by a bonfire and entertainment.

Sunday: Additional hikes are planned in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, to Hooper Bald, and Maple Springs Observation Point.

This event is open to everyone. Those lucky enough to be hiking in will have no trouble getting a ride down to the campground (it has showers!) and back to the trail. Reservations are not required, but an RSVP would be appreciated at [email protected]

Be a part of Benton MacKaye Trail History! Put this weekend on your calendar now.

http://www.bmta.org/BMTGrandOpeningCelebrationWeekend.htm

Hammock Hanger
05-21-2005, 20:04
I would love to come but will be working up in the ADKs at that time.

Enjoy!! Thanks and congrats to all who have made the expansion possible.

I hope to hike the new part the end of August / early September.

Sue/HH

Krewzer
05-22-2005, 08:41
This has got to be an awesome trail. I've been hiking in and around the new part of the BMT for years. Hope to see you there.
I'm making my plans to hike the new extended BMT this fall.

MedicineMan
05-22-2005, 22:54
a photo of the tunnel the trail goes through that was part of the intended
'road to nowhere'?????
that has to be a cool part of the hike.

Happy Feet
05-23-2005, 14:27
a photo of the tunnel the trail goes through that was part of the intended 'road to nowhere'????? that has to be a cool part of the hike.I don't have a photo of that, but here are some of the vistas along the trail:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/6142/sort/1/cat/500/page/1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7284/sort/1/cat/500/page/1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7283/sort/1/cat/500/page/1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7282/sort/1/cat/500/page/1

I saw a photo of the tunnel some time ago as I was surfing on-line , but don't recall where I found it. If I find it again, I'll post it.

jlb2012
05-23-2005, 15:43
here is a small photo of the tunnel: http://members.aol.com/gs900miler/tunnellw.jpg google image search comes through again

MOWGLI
05-24-2005, 18:39
Who: The Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) www.BMTA.org (http://www.bmta.org/)
What: Trail Grand Opening Celebration
Where: Mud Gap on the Cherohala Skyway
When: Weekend of July 16-17
Why: THE TRAIL IS OPEN!

My plan is to be there - at least on Saturday. Maybe overnight. My wife's family reunion starts on Sunday at Big Canoe in North Georgia. Anyone know how long it'll take to drive from Mud Gap to Big Canoe?

MedicineMan
05-25-2005, 03:30
that is a neat looking pic for sure....hope to someday walk through it.