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Toil and Trek, Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08073A Price: $835 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 20 Leader:
The Trip The capacity on this trip has changed from what was previously published. If you have questions, please contact us. This seven-day, lodge-based service trip will focus on the Slickrock Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, located within the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. A steep, 5,300-foot ridge covered by 14,500 acres of mixed hardwood forest divides the Slickrock Wilderness and Kilmer Forest. Throughout this area, "Balds," or breaks in the forest, provide spectacular views of both Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. During this trip there will be time for fishing, birding, photography, and enjoying wildflowers. Serious hikers may wish to hike up to Haoe Hangover (5,243 feet) or Stratton Bald (5,341 feet) for sweeping views of the Appalachians. Casual hikers may prefer a trail through magnificent virgin forest. We should see many wildflowers and some migrating birds, but very few people, on the trails at this time of year. A variety of whitewater activities and fishing spots can also be found nearby, including the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events. Cyclists will also find plenty to do, though level roadway is rare. The Project Supervised by U.S. Forest Service personnel, we will develop, maintain, and enhance trails. Work may involve digging and widening the trail, installing log waterbars, removing deadfall, and trimming trailside vegetation. As of this writing, the exact projects we will be working on are not known, but may include the Slickrock Trail. In years past, our group has: re-cut an abandoned section of the Appalachian Trail; created the Wright Trail at a rest area for tourists traveling the Cherohala skyway; reconstructed a half-mile trail at the Snowbird picnic area; repaired a trailhead at Hangover Lead; and repaired and recut a 2.5-mile section of the Appalachian Trail. Every year, we do some reconstruction of the Slickrock Wilderness Trail, due to the ravages of winter. NOTE: The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group.
Plan to arrive before supper on day one. Our group will gather after breakfast each morning to walk or carpool to the worksite. One day will be free to do as you wish. Getting There Tapoco Lodge Resort is located in western North Carolina, 15 miles north of Robbinsville on Highway 129 and the Cheoah River. Nearby airports include: Knoxville (60 miles) and Chattanooga (123 miles), Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia (160 miles); and Asheville, North Carolina (60 miles). Driving directions will be provided to registered participants.
We'll be staying at Tapoco Lodge, built by Alcoa in 1930 as an executive retreat and opened to the public by the Cody family in June 1995. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beautifully situated among the lush mountains of the Nantahala National Forest and a few yards from the cascading Cheoah River, the lodge's spacious cottages have private baths, heat, air conditioning, a mini-fridge and a porch, but no television or telephones in the rooms. The lodge offers a complimentary extra night, directly following the trip. Meals, taxes and tips will not be included for that day. Please inform the leader if you plan to stay the extra night.
The trip can be considered moderate, with some strenuous work activities. No one is expected to exceed his/her capabilities. Participants could be asked by the Forest Service to sign an additional liability waiver for activities undertaken during the outing (e.g., rafting, hiking). Having bed and board prepared for us lessens our workload, and allows much more time for other activities.
Temperatures may be cool in the evenings, but warm during the day; expect a range of 30-80 degrees. The average rainfall here is 80 inches per year, so be prepared and bring good rain gear. A rain suit is far superior to a poncho, especially on windy days. You will need leather gloves to protect your hands. Boots should be well broken-in and thoroughly waterproofed. You'll need a day pack for your lunch, a water bottle, etc. You may bring a camera, binoculars, scope for birding, fishing equipment, bicycle, and watercraft. The required fishing license is available through the lodge. If you have favorite tools (pruners, loppers, bowsaw), you may bring them.
Conservation We will discuss the quality of the local environment, community, and education as compared with personal environmental experiences.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
This will be the fifth time Rand Neyland has co-led this Nantahala trip, but the sixth time he's done it. Rand spent his formative years in Texas, with schooling up and down the East Coast, but he has lived in North Carolina for about 26 years. He currently lives in Bahama with his dog. Rand has two teenage daughters with whom he spends a lot of time. He works in property development and real estate.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Jeanne Downing has been a trip leader or co-leader on 18 national trips. She moved to North Carolina from Michigan and lives in Raleigh with her husband. She has three grown sons and three grandsons, and her primary work experience is in teaching, counseling, and consulting.