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Trip Number: 12329A
Price: $555
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 12
Staff: Rebecca Dameron
Highlights:
- Kayak the beautiful Lake Santeetlah
- Give back by completing service projects on the lake
- Enjoy and explore the beauty of the western North Carolina mountains
Includes:
- All meals
- Camping permits
- All kayaking equipment (kayak, pfd, paddles)
- Work tools, trash bags
The Trip
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
Lake Santeetlah is situated in the southern portion of the Appalachian Mountains,
in the Nantahala National Forest. This area was originally inhabited by the
Cherokee Indians -- most of whom were forcibly removed from the area in the
"Trail of Tears" in 1838. Those that stayed behind in their beloved
homeland now live in and around the nearby Cherokee Indian Reservation.
"Santeetlah" is thought by some to be a Cherokee word meaning sandy
stream -- and 100 years ago, that's what the lake was. The 3,000+ acre Lake
Santeetlah was formed in 1928 with the construction of Santeetlah Dam by Alcoa.
We'll be camping near the lake at a Nantahala National Forest campsite and carpooling
daily to our launch site.
The Project
We'll be kayaking along some of the 76 miles of mostly natural forested shoreline
of Lake Santeetlah and working with the U.S. Forest Service on a to-be-determined
project. Last year, at water-accessible-only campsites, we put in new camping
pads using long timbers and wood chips. We also collected about 1,800 lbs of
trash.
The U.S. Forest Service personnel will also assist us with their pontoon boat
for trash pickup, as well as tool and material transport. Typical trash includes
plastic bags, tires, plastic bottles, styrofoam, and fishing lines. The debris
is an eyesore as well as a danger to fish and other wildlife around the lake.
Also on the agenda will be swimming, relaxing, and hiking.
Itinerary
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
Day 1: We'll gather at the campground on Sunday afternoon
by 4:00 p.m., set up, and enjoy the afternoon getting to know each other. We'll
have an orientation meeting after dinner, our first meal together.
Day 2: Each day, we'll have breakfast together at camp and
then carpool to one of our launching points (4-15 miles away) using volunteer
drivers and cars. This first work morning we'll go over any kayaking instruction
that is needed and then start our trash pick up or campsite work. Along the
way, or certainly at lunch, we'll enjoy swimming and relaxing. After our work,
we'll come back to hot showers and a hearty meal. One night or afternoon we'll
have a ranger talk with us about our work and conservation issues in the area.
Day 3: We'll continue our work on the lake. We may break a
bit early and then head to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest for an afternoon hike.
Joyce Kilmer is a beautiful old growth forest (some trees over 450 years old)
with a spectacular stand of tulip poplars, some of which are more than 20 feet
in circumference and stand 100 feet tall.
Day 4: After breakfast together, you have a day off to explore
the area on your own.
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
Days 5-6: Today we'll kayak and pick up debris or work on
the campsites.
Day 7: The trip ends this morning after breakfast. There is
much to explore in the area and you should have no problem taking the long way
home to enjoy nature around you.
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.
Getting There
Transportation to the campsite will be on your own. Rattler Ford Campground
is about 13 miles west of Robbinsville, NC. Nearby airports include: Knoxville,
Tennessee (75 miles); Atlanta, Georgia (180 miles); and Asheville, North Carolina
(90 miles). Driving directions will be provided to registered participants.
An email will be sent to all participants to see if folks want to coordinate
transportation.
Accommodations and Food
We'll be camping at the Rattler Ford campground, which has flush toilets and
hot showers (though numbers are limited). While the campsite has toilet facilities,
when we are out working be prepared for wilderness facilities. You will need
to bring a tent and sleeping bag (equipment list will be provided to participants).
We will ask for volunteer drivers to carpool to the launching point every day.
Breakfast and dinner will be cooked at the campsite, while lunch will be packed
each morning for us to take with us. The food will be vegetarian-friendly and
those with dietary restrictions should let the leader know before the trip.
Volunteers will be recruited for kitchen duty (prepping, cooking and cleaning)
each day.
Trip Difficulty
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
The kayaking and any hiking on the trip will be moderate. The kayaking will
be on flat water and the biggest concern may be leaning over while picking up
the trash. There will be several occasions for people to get out of their boats
to get trash, but that is not required. How far we travel depends on our launch
sites and the work sites, but we may paddle as much as 6-8 miles in a day.
This trip is for any skill of paddler. Guidance will be given on strokes and
what to do if your boat flips. Rescues may be demonstrated and you can either
watch or participate.
The work project may involve some more arduous tasks (shoveling, toting, etc),
so boots, gloves and long pants are suggested. No one will be asked to do anything
beyond what he or she is capable of and comfortable with. We hope to know the
nature of our work before the trip begins.
Because of the wide range of activities, we do ask that all participants be
in good physical condition and be at least 16 years old.
Equipment and Clothing
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
You'll need a variety of clothing for this trip -- for service, for kayaking,
for hiking, and for lounging around the camp at night. Swimsuits are great for
kayaking. We'll be able to stow sturdy work shoes, work gloves, or other work
clothes in our kayaks while we paddle to our work sites.
Evenings can get chilly and there is always a chance of rain, so come prepared
with layers, a fleece jacket and good rain gear.
Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices (pfds) will be provided. If
you want to bring your own equipment, that's great. Please let the leader know.
Please honor Sierra Club policy and leave all electronic devices (except cameras)
at home. There is no cell service at the campsite.
References
Conservation
Photo: Rebecca Dameron
Two environmental issues that affect Lake Santeetlah and surrounding waters
are high levels of mercury and the loss of Hemlock trees. The mercury is believed
to come from the acid rain that weather systems bring in from the coal processing
sites west and northwest of the area. The wooly adelgid is killing off the native
Carolina Hemlock trees, which provide shade for fish and habitat for other wildlife.
We will discuss some of the ramifications of both concerns.
Trip Price
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.
Staff
Leader:
Rebecca Dameron is a lifetime member of the Sierra Club, enjoys the out of doors, hiking and loves being connected with the water in a kayak. She has kayaked in Alaska, North Carolina, Virginia, the Everglades, Scotland, New Zealand and Chile. She believes in providing service in her own community as well as in places she visits to enjoy the natural surroundings and is happy to offer the opportunity to others.
E-mail: becdameron@cox.net
Assistant Leader:
Holly Wenger has had the privilege of leading a variety of national outings since 2002, from the Everglades of Florida to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. At home in Sacramento, CA she leads local canoe and kayak trips, and teaches canoeing for the American Red Cross. Holly is still amazed by the beauty of wilderness on every trip, and by the cohesion each group forges as they experience new surroundings.
E-mail: holly.wenger@sierraclub.org
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips