This June/July trip starts in Citico Creek Wilderness in Tennessee as I get dropped off in Grassy Gap and start the long trip on the Grassy Branch Trail.
CITICO
EXPEDITION
IN
21 DAYS
TRIP 198
HIGHLIGHTS
** ONE BACKPACKER SEEN IN 21 DAYS
** 58 CREEK CROSSINGS
** THE HELL THICKET GAUNTLET OF FODDERSTACK RIDGE
** FALLING BRANCH RIPS TENT FLY IN GLENN GAP
** RATTLESNAKE ON BIG FAT TRAIL
** HELL STORM ON HANGOVER MT
** 25.5TH BRUSH MT BACKPACK WITH COMPLETE TRAILWORK
** MEETING RASPUTEN AKA MARK ON THE SOUTH FORK TRAIL
** NEW NAME FOR BRUSH MT---SKULL MT
** BURSITIS IN RIGHT KNEE
** TRAILWORKED GRASSY BRANCH TRAIL
TRAILS (** denotes overnights)
Entrance at Grassy Gap
Grassy Branch Trail Down and Crossed South Fork Creek
**Eagle Camp**
South Fork trail Down/North Fork trail Up
**North Fork Crossing 1 Camp**
North Fork Up
**Hootyhoo Camp**
North Fork Up
**Blue Rock Camp**
North Fork Up
**Rock Ledge Camp**
North Fork Up
Fodderstack Ridge Heading North
**Glenn Gap**
Fodderstack Ridge North
**Harrison Gap**
Fodder Ridge North
**Crowder Top Camp**
Big Stack Trail Down
Slickrock Creek Upstream and 12th Crossing
**Slicnic Ledge Camp by Big Fat Creek**
Big Fat Trail Up
**Big Fat Gap Camp on Windy Gap Trail**
Hangover Lead South Trail Up to Seven Mile Ridge
**Low Airjet Camp on Hangover Mt**
Seven Mile Ridge Heading West
**Fir Tree Grove on Bob Mt**
Seven Mile Ridge West and 54A South Down to Cold Gap
Trail 149 Heading North
Brush Mt Trail Down
**Brush Mt Ridge Gap Camp**
Brush Mt Trail Down
**Audrey Camp by Brush Creek**
Brush Mt Down and Cross South Fork Creek
South Fork Trail Upstream
**White Rock Camp**
South Fork Down and North Fork Up
**North Fork Sidemeat Camp**
North Fork Up to Crossing 7 and Backtrack Down to SF
**Donner Camps on Citico Creek on SF Trail**
South Fork Up
**White Rock Camp**(2)
South Fork Trail 2 Crossings to Grassy Branch Trailhead
Grassy Branch Trail Up
**Woodstove Camp on Grassy Branch Trail**
Grassy Branch Trail Up and OUT.
All backpacking trips have to start somewhere and this summer 2019 trip starts in Grassy Gap at the trailhead to the Grassy Branch trail---a steep descending creek trail with 8 creek crossings---and dropping me to South Fork Citico Creek with its 9th crossing. The pack of choice is my McHale load hauler at around 8,000 cubic inches and around 90-95 lbs of mostly food and fuel . . . and 4 books.
Once I finish backpacking down the steep Grassy Branch trail I cross South Fork Creek and just on the other side is this campsite. I call it Eagle Camp (cuz Eagle Creek is nearby). Tent of choice is my Keron 3 Hilleberg coming in at 8 lbs 10 ozs. Perfect solo tent for long trips living in the woods. Many of my trip pics seem BLURRY and so maybe it's time for another camera.
On Day 2 I backpack down the South Fork trail which junctions with the North Fork trail at this trailhead footbridge. A yellow jacket nest is on the bridge and so I get my first Citico vaccination of the trip (of two total stings). Pack shows my big tent on bottom in green and my Thermarest Trail Pro pad on right in blue. Yellow spectra back pocket holds my tent poles and stakes and water filter and folding saw and extra food.
I spend my second night on North Fork Creek and pull all of the NF trail up to Cherry Log Gap, a stiff nut hump. Here is NF Crossing #2 out of 7---with about 15 minor crossings above Old Goat Falls.
The North Fork trail is a great wilderness backpacking trail and it doesn't really start getting steep until before reaching this landmark---the Blue Rock Gateway. Just beyond is Old Goat Falls and the steepest part of the whole trail.
I pass Old Goat Falls and pull two crossings above the Falls and reach Blue Rock Camp on this little mountainside ledge just big enough and flat enough for my tent.
II finally punch out the North Fork nut hump and get on Fodderstack Ridge, a long 14 mile trail running from Beech Gap north to Farr Gap and the dividing line between Citico wilderness and Slickrock wilderness in NC. Once on the ridge I find the Forest Service honchos came out and re-painted the old state line rock---I consider it mere Ranger District vandalism and an eyesore.