On this backpacking trip I decide to spend all of my time in two distinct areas of Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee---the Brushy Ridge backcountry and the Bald River/Upper Bald River wilderness.

What's most amazing about this trip is I didn't see a single fellow backpacker in 18 days.

All trip pics can be seen here---

https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backp...to-Black-Cave/

18 DAY
JOURNEY
TO
BLACK CAVE
Trip 201
November 24-December 11, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS
** 31 CREEK CROSSINGS
** NO BACKPACKER SEEN IN 18 DAYS
** BIG LIGHTNING AND THUNDER AND RAINSTORM ON BROOKSHIRE CREEK DAY 7
** SNOWSTORM IN SLED RUNNER GAP ON DAYS 9 AND 10
** THE COLD FEET OF KIRKLAND CREEK DAY 12
** THE HELL SLOG UP SKULL MT AKA HENDERSON TOP ON DAY 14
** 12 MILE DAY ON DAY 15
** 4 DAYS IN BLACK CAVE CAMP
** HITCHING FROM BALD RIVER FALLS TO TELLICO BEACH DRIVE IN AND OUT

TRAILS (** denotes overnight camps)
Entrance at Top Trailhead to Flats Mt
Flats Mt Trail 1.5 Miles Up
**Camp Hope**
Flats Mt Backtrack to Skyway
Skyway Roadwalk to Long Branch
Long Branch Trail Down
**Turkey Feather Camp**
Long Branch Down
North River Roadwalk Up River
Hemlock Creek Trail Up 4 Crossings
**Lost Valley aka Hemlock Creek Camp**
Hemlock Creek Backtrack to North River Road
North River Roadwalk Down River
Hitchhike Down Tellico River Road to Cow Camp Trailhead
Cow Camp Trail Up and Down
Bald River Trail
**Rock Ledge Camp**
Bald River Trail Heading South
**Cascade Winter Camp**
Bald River Trail Out to Bald River Road
Bald River Roadwalk to Brookshire Trailhead
Brookshire Creek Trail Up to BMT Junction and Beyond
**Fern Camp(2)**
Brookshire Creek Trail Up
**Little Sled aka Iron Ring Camp(2)**
Brookshire Up to Sled Runner Gap
State Line Ridge aka BMT Heading West
**Round Top Mt**
State Line Ridge to Sandy Gap
Kirkland Creek Trail Down
**False Sandy Gap**
Kirkland Creek Trail Down 11 Crossings to Bald River
Bald River Roadwalk Heading West
Bald River Trail #88 Heading North
**Big Pine Camp(2)**
Bald River Trail North
Cow Camp Up
Henderson Top Trail to Logging Cut 40832
40832 aka Maple Camp Lead Road
**Panther Camp**
40832 Hike to Sugar Maple Gap
Bald River Roadwalk West to Bald River Trailhead
Bald River Trail Heading North
**Black Cave Camp(3)**
Bald River Trail North and Out
Tellico River Roadwalk and Hitchhike to Tellico Beach Drive In and OUT.


Here's a map of my trip with the route marked in red. Double and triple lines indicate repeat hiking on the same trails. My trip started up north near Lake View on the map---and descended into the Brushy Ridge area with the 6 trails running West to East. Long Branch is #103 etc.


The trip starts with a shuttle ride and drop off at the top Flats Mt trailhead at 4,000 feet and around 34F. On the map this spot is near Eagle Gap. Pack of choice is a McHale load hauler with about 90 lbs of crap.


After my first night atop Flats Mt on Day 2 I backtrack off the mountain and roadwalk the Cherohala Skyway down to Long Branch trail and set up here at a place I call Turkey Feather Camp---because it has water. This trail is not maintained so I have to do alot of trailwork to get thru.


After I punch out Long Branch trail I hike up North River to another Brushy Ridge trail and it's called Hemlock Creek---so I climb up past 4 creek crossings to my CS. This is crossing #1. And of course they all must be down in bare feet and crocs.


After a 4.5 mile day of backpackaging I reach Hemlock Creek Crossing 4 Camp and it's a fave. Tent of choice? Hilleberg Keron 3---a perfect solo tent at 8 lbs 10 ozs.


I leave Hemlock Creek on a backtrack and follow North River down to where it junctions Tellico River and hitchhike Tellico River road to Cow Camp trail and take it up and over a ridge down to Bald River in the BR wilderness. I set up camp next to this river scene. And it's cold in the high humidity cold tunnel of river air.


Hanging out along Bald River and wearing my all important down parka for in-camp warmth. It's a Feathered Friends Icefall parka with 15.3 ozs of goose down.