Coffee
06-17-2013, 13:12
I'm planning a training hike in the Central District of the park this weekend mainly to get some miles and elevation in preparation for the John Muir Trail. I plan to start at the big Old Rag parking lot in Nethers, walk the fire roads to the Cedar Run trailhead, go up Cedar Run, then take the Big Meadows-Skyland horse trail to Rose River area, do the Rose River Loop and then end up near Big Meadows. The following day, I plan to hike the AT north past Skyland to the Nicholson Hollow trail which leads back down to Nethers. If my calculations are right this loop is about 28-30 miles.
My two camping options seem to be either at Big Meadows campground or the Rose River area where I've camped before. My plan is to pass through the Rose River area and if it isn't too crowded camp there. Otherwise, I'll continue on to Big Meadows. But Big Meadows campground is full for reservations on Saturday so I'm trying to figure out if there are "hike/bike" type walk in sites always available for backpackers to use. Or if there are legal backcountry camping sites somewhere near Big Meadows. If I recall correctly, there are some decent flattish spots just off the AT near the Lewis Falls loop trail at its northern end but I'm not sure if those areas are legal since it isn't clear to me if they are 1/4 mile from the developed campground. Dry camping wouldn't be a problem since I can easily haul water from the campground.
My two camping options seem to be either at Big Meadows campground or the Rose River area where I've camped before. My plan is to pass through the Rose River area and if it isn't too crowded camp there. Otherwise, I'll continue on to Big Meadows. But Big Meadows campground is full for reservations on Saturday so I'm trying to figure out if there are "hike/bike" type walk in sites always available for backpackers to use. Or if there are legal backcountry camping sites somewhere near Big Meadows. If I recall correctly, there are some decent flattish spots just off the AT near the Lewis Falls loop trail at its northern end but I'm not sure if those areas are legal since it isn't clear to me if they are 1/4 mile from the developed campground. Dry camping wouldn't be a problem since I can easily haul water from the campground.