Pick Ups at Hwy 365/GA 52 - Lula (Contact Marsha to schedule if needed)
Departure Time:
Meals:
Once we are in the valley there will be no places to purchase any food or snacks
Carry enough snacks for the entire day! Only necessary to carry one serving on the trail.
By the time we drive back out of the valley and get to Maggie Valley or back over to Waynesville, we will be ready to eat.
Dinner in Maggie Valley or Waynesville is optional at locations of your choice.
Transportation:
Car-pool with pre-arranged riderships or drive yourself.
If you need transportation you can post an email to the hike group email list or contact the trip host to see who is going.
(Always be prepared to drive your own vehicle if necessary. If you carpool, fuel costs should be shared.)
GPS Info:
N/A
USGS Quad:
N/A
Ranger District:
N/A
County:
Haywood County, NC
Schedule:
The projected time line with distances and events: Due to traffic, & different paces, times are all approximate. If you wish to carpool, let Jeremy or Marsha know or plan on meeting at one of the "meet up" locations shown. Check with your driver to know their plans for the day.
7:15 AM
Meet at GEC (Parish Hall parking lot) for ice, and load vehicles
7:30 AM
Depart Gainesville
Pick-ups in Lula if arranged
9:15 AM
Road break at Race Trac - Clayton
9:30 AM
Depart Race Trac
10:45 AM
Arrive in Maggie Valley and stage. Location to be decided.
11:00 AM
Drive into Cataloochee Valley
11:30 AM
Car tour of the valley
12:00 PM
Stop, rest, and relax & snack
12:30 PM
Safety Briefing and start hike
2:30 PM
Select turn around point, stop, rest and snack (if desired)
3:00 PM
Return to trailhead
5:00 PM
Arrive at vehicles and go to elk viewing (optional)
6:00 PM
Depart valley (ahead of crowd) and return to Maggie Valley
Upon leaving Cataloochee Valley, you have the option to meet your own schedule as desired and pick your own location for any meals You are encouraged to look at the available facilities on the internet before hand and have an idea of where you would like to eat. You may check with Marsha and Jeremy for information on the facilities in the area if needed.
Return to Gainesville at your own pace or elect to stay overnight in the Maggie Valley area or nearby. Remember, it will take about 3 hours to drive back to Gainesville after a long day and 5 hours of hiking. Please plan accordingly for a safe trip. You may contact Marsha for info on overnight accommodations if you are not familiar with the area.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Time lines are provided as projections and you may move in and out of the schedule as needed, but please let the hike planner known your intentions. Things may move faster or slower than our projections due to many variables. This hike will go rain or shine and will only be canceled for weather conditions which would be a safety hazard to the participants. Remember to carry plenty of water. Don't forget your bug spray!
Schedule Subject to change. Allow time for the trip to take longer.
Trail Description:
Cataloochee Valley is located on the east side
of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Prior to 2001, it was a virtual unknown to most tourists since the routes in and out of the valley require time and effort. The main roadway in the valley is a dead end so there is no loop route to tour as in Cades Cove (thank goodness). Then, the elk arrived in 2001 after a 150 year absence. Maggie Valley decided to publicize the elk and Cataloochee now has more tourists than it would desire. Many of the homesteads and barns from the early 1800's still stand in memory and honor to the settlers who lived in the valley. Prior
to the "white man" living here, the Valley belonged to the Cherokee Indians.
The Valley has numerous trails some of which are shared with horses, some which loop and intersect, and most of which are rather long routes. Due to the nature of the terrain, you can only hike so far in any direction on the trails before you must climb ridges and mountains if you do the full loops.
Our selected hike is a portion of the Caldwell Fork Trail and will allow us
a mostly level hike along a creek in an "out and back" pattern for about 5.5 miles total. This section of the trail will only require about 500' of total elevation gain or descent. We will have 9 stream crossings on footbridges (if they have not been washed out recently). You may want to pack your
heavy duty plastic garbage bags with ties! (just in case)
Notes:
This trail is open to horseback riders. For everyone's safety, if riders approach from the front or rear, step to the side of the trail, stand very still, and let the riders pass without alarming the horses in any way.
If you would enjoy making this trip with us and seeing this valley, but you
have concerns about the trail hike, please contact Marsha to discuss some possible options.
The deadline for registering for this trip/hike is MONDAY, OCTOBER 4th!
It will be important for us to get our transportation plans in order early.
Please let Marsha know if you plan on staying overnight.
If you have not completed a new MED/ICE form, contact Marsha or Jeremy before this trip in order to obtain the forms and have them returned before you attend this event.
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Walk at your own pace! Try to walk with someone when possible and try to stay in sight or sound of the main group which means the lead hikers may need to slow or stop to let the rear hikers catch up. This is a good reason to carry a whistle on you at all times. Lead hikers should stop at all trail intersections to let everyone gather before moving forward.
If you need a potty break while on the trail, just let someone know you are leaving the trail for a few moments and have that person wait nearby until you return. If you should feel ill or become weak while hiking, let Jeremy or Marsha know immediately. Do not push yourself forward on the trail under adverse conditions. One of us will work with you to maintain your safety. If you have any medical concerns that need to be known, be certain a hiking partner or Jeremy/Marsha know about any issues that could require immediate attention.
Carpoolers should share the cost of fuel when returning to their base location.
If you have any questions regarding the logistics for this hike, please contact Marsha Conner or Jeremy Landers. If you are signing up to hike or have transportation issues, contact Jeremy Landers. More info on our hiking plans can be found at: www.LandersStudions.com/gechike
PLEASE - DO NOT CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE REGARDING THE HIKES. THE CHURCH OFFICE DOES NOT HANDLE OUR PLANS NOR ROSTER FOR THIS ACTIVITY. CONTACT JEREMY OR MARSHA DIRECTLY.
Marsha: Email (770-297-7686) or (678-570-6600)
Jeremy: Email or (770-861-8175 Cell)
Marsha HIKE AT YOUR OWN PACE - BUT HIKE WITH A PARTNER OR IN SIGHT OR SOUND OF YOUR GROUP FOR SAFETY.
Links & Ref.
Wonderful video on the history of Cataloochee Valley
Please take a moment to read the Participation Guidlines prior to hiking with the Grace Church Hike Group.
Additional Info For All Hikes Information provided by Marsha Conner
ICE INFO
(In Case Of Emergency)
We are now carrying ICE forms with us for safety. The hike planner will
be responsible for being sure these cards are on the trail. A form in a
sealed yellow envelope with critical contact and medical data on each
hiker will be available in case of emergencies. You are required to fill
out the emergency contact information however the medical information
is optional, should an emergency arise, this data would go with you for
medical treatment and provide contact information for your relatives
and medical information at the ER that should be known. Many of us have
ICE phone numbers in our cell phones, but our cell phones may not work
in some wilderness areas.
WHAT TO CARRY
You should be self-sufficient on the trail. Do not plan to borrow items you
do not have from people hiking with you. They may not have what you need
or they may need it for themselves. Carefully look over the trail description and
map before going, ask questions, and make sure that you are physically able to
handle the terrain, the temperatures, the possible wetness, and the other
interesting things that might happen to us while on the trail! As always we
set our hiking pace to accomadate everyone. So don't think you'll be too slow.
Jeremy & Marsha are always willing to help you to be trail ready.
1. Daypack
2. Water/Fluid Supplies
3. Food/Snack Supplies
4. Cash and Photo ID (ID should be on your person at all times)
5. Other Outdoor Supplies
6. 4 AA Batteries to use in our walkie talkies.
1. Packs:
a. Plan and pack for medical emergencies including
blisters, bug bites, allergies, cuts, etc.
b. At least one snake bite kit (Sawyer style) should be
with the group (sold in most sporting goods depts).
c. Weather change needs such as poncho, emergency
blanket, cap, gloves, wind jacket, etc.
d. Cell phone (in case it might work) and other
items important to you for personal safety or comfort
2. Water/Fluid Supplies
a. Plan on carrying a cooler in your vehicle with ice to keep
food and fluids cold throughout the trip
b. Carry enough fluid with you for the designated trail hike
c. Do Not Drink Water From Streams - most mountain
water is no longer safe to drink as they may contain
protozoan imps and make you very sick
3. Food/Snack Supplies
a. Short hikes may only require a light snack
on the trail (1-2 miles) - plan accordingly
b. Longer hikes usually require a moderate
snack on the trail (3-4 miles) - plan accordingly
c. Remember that your appetite is enhanced by
being outdoors and doing physical activity
4. Cash and ID
a. Carry bills in different increments especially "ones"
for park entrance fees and incidentals - each
person is responsible for their own fees and should
share any group cost for parking and fuel
b. The cost of fule is to be shared between driver and
passengers.
c. For your safety, have your ID with you on the trail at
all times.
d. Do not leave valuables in your parked car which you
cannot afford to have stolen!
5. Other Outdoor Supplies
a. Camera, Flash Card(s) or film
b. Binoculars
c. Sun hat
d. Knife and compass
e. Extra socks if prone to blisters
f. Bug spray
g. Sting relief especially if you are
allergic to insect stings
h. Hiking pole or sticks
i. Sweat towel and/or bandana
j. Large Pepper Spray (for animal attacks and personal protection)
6. Hunting Season
Remember your Blaze Orange During Hunting Seasons.
UPON RETURNING HOME
1. Critical - Shower and check your body - CAREFULLY -
for ticks (if a tick has attached itself to your skin, do
not crush its body while removing it, but lift it away
from your skin and pull out by the legs - treat the area
properly and watch for any redness - if redness appears
seek medical attention promptly)
2. Clean and treat any wounded areas of your body -
use ice for first 24-48 hours on joint/muscle injuries
and heat as swelling subsides
3. Consider keeping a log of your hiking experiences and
write your story in a journal while memories are fresh
4. Develop pictures and share copies with your hikers
GENERAL GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER
1. Leave pets at home if hiking with a group. More Info
2. Keep groups on the trail to no more than 4-6 together
3. Walk single file in the middle of the trail
4. Step to the side of the trail as you go downhill
to allow hikers going uphill to have the right of way
5. Do not wade with your boots on unless necessary
Wet socks and shoes can create immediate blisters
6. Swift water can cause you to lose your footing in
6-12 inches of water so do not be fooled that you
can wade without danger across a stream
7. Snakebites are a critical concern to hikers
THINK before putting your hands and feet anywhere
that might be a place of hiding for a snake:
a. Step on the top of logs - not over them
b. Use your hiking pole to check on the backside
of logs and rocks before sitting down
c. Stay on the trail where visibility is better
8. Read the many different theories on protection
from bears and other wildlife - bears are most
aggressive when protecting their cubs and stay
near water and food sources frequently - bears
do not "growl" but will make a "grunting" noise
to let you know they see you when you may not
see them - stop, back away slowly, and move
back down the trail without hesitation - do not
mistake a "grunting" noise for random woods noise
on a trail as it may only be made one time to give
you one chance to back away. Carry a large pepper spray.
9. Let members of your hiking group know your intentions
in case you decide to return to the parking lot or leave
for the day.
10. Remember that the GEC Open Hike each month will
have a mixed skill level and cooperation as a team is needed.
The monthly planner has volunteered to set up the hike
and there may be slight differences with each hike.
There is room for both the scenic hiker and the extreme
hiker with good communication and proper planning.
