Black Balsam Camping Trip - Page 2

boombapslappy · 05-28-09, 03:43 PM

Ok, after reading this for a while, I finally know where this is. It's on the parkway above Brevard. This is the only way I've been to shining rock backpacking. The road from parkway is/was paved (sort-of). At the parking lot/toilet there is a gate that I've never seen open, but the "road" does continue. If the gate is open, take it for a ride! It's a short ride though.

ClemsonCruiser · 05-29-09, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99UZJay

No it goes on from the toilets, trust me... I drove it last year in the fall, but it is washed out ~ .7-1mi in, cause I had to do an austin powers 88 point turn to get back out. Not to mention the looks from the hikers.

I can't believe it is still washed out..... last time I went up there was fall 2003 and it was washed out from the hurricanes back in 2002 that did all that massive flooding up in the mountains. I would have thought they would have fixed it by now......

regardless of wether or not the gate is open, or the road is washed out that area the Shining Rock wilderness and Black Balsam in paticular is my most favorite area of the BRP

eventhough · 06-01-09, 03:25 PM

I was just there today. The road is now posted "No ATVs" which I have to assume means no trucks too. It is ~ 1 mi or less to some SWEET camping spots we could hike into but groups should be kept to 10 or less. Bridge is still washed out.

Looks like we might have to drop back and punt due to group size and access... stay tuned...

delta21 · 06-06-09, 07:18 AM

Ok guy's and Gal's, here is the latest update.........Same plan only different

, lets keep the meeting up place the same, the route the same, and plan on tailgating in the black balsam parking lot, and day hiking or just chilling in some lawn chairs and soaking up the high mountain sun with tall cool one

, there is enough camping space for about 20-30 people within about a minute's walk of the parking lot, there is always a bunch of people up there during the day but after about 5:00pm the place is a ghost town.

(I am still working on clarification on if we can drive the road if the gate is open, so I will post asap when I get that clarification either way)

Chad

eventhough · 06-06-09, 09:20 AM

Chad - please also check that we won't be camping in the designated Wilderness area. If we are we can't have a group larger than 10.

delta21 · 06-06-09, 07:07 PM

We will not be camping in the designated wilderness area, we will be on FS land

eventhough · 06-07-09, 10:53 AM

cool - check Troll's post in the "Upcoming Events" thread - with the camping trip we will have 3 events back to back - is this cool with you?

delta21 · 06-09-09, 09:42 AM

I just got off the phone with the chief of Cruso Fire Department(they are in charge of fire and rescue for the area) and the Pisgah ranger office (Joe) they both said the road is open to vehicular traffic when the gate is unlocked. The no ATV sign means just that, no ATV's you have to have a leagally registered vehicle to drive the road. It IS under the jurisdiction of the Pisgah ranger district and not the NPS.

so the 4x4 part of the camping trip is back on!!!!

Trollhole · 06-09-09, 09:53 AM

Cool.

ClemsonCruiser · 06-16-09, 05:41 AM

that is great news!!! I really hope to make this one

jfz80 · 06-25-09, 08:48 AM

Calendar marked. Graveyard Fields/Sams Knob was on my list of options this week stalling around for GSMTR this week but I never made it. Awesome area for sure and the right time a year for dip in the creek for the brave.

BMThiker · 07-01-09, 07:55 AM

Damn, this is sounding tempting, but three weekends in a row of planned events? Probably won't make it to Carolina Beach, but it will be a toss up btw this and the Annual Event for us. Why not combine them?

eventhough · 07-01-09, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMThiker

Damn, this is sounding tempting, but three weekends in a row of planned events? Probably won't make it to Carolina Beach, but it will be a toss up btw this and the Annual Event for us. Why not combine them?

I'm fine with that if Chad wants to make this a camping event for the evening of the Annual.

Chad???

DanKunz · 07-01-09, 04:04 PM

hmm...

Trollhole · 07-02-09, 08:12 AM

I'd say do both. Kind of like we did last year. People can go Friday and camp up there and then go to the annual Sat and then go back up after the annual. It's not that far away from Aunt Sue's. Maybe an hr.

BMThiker · 07-02-09, 01:44 PM

Sounds good. Now which weekend will the Balsam-Annual Event be?

delta21 · 07-02-09, 02:40 PM

I say we do both on the same weekend, I had a few reasons for picking the weekend that I did, first, it is an away game for Clemson,second school is just getting started so some probably wont be testing just yet, and third I have to work every other weekend and Sepy 11-13th is my weekend off.

I like what Troll suggested, camp out Fri, drive down(car pool) and then go back up. Black balsam gets crowded during the days, but around 3:00-4:00 pm all of the day hikers go to where ever they go, and we wshould have the place pretty much to ourselve's.

BMThiker · 07-30-09, 08:19 AM

So those that are going up Friday night, what's the plan for meeting up? We may be able to take Friday off from work and make our way from ATL on a nice scenic drive - pending vacation requests. I'm not familiar with the area, but can point my GPS fairly well. Any landmarks, intersections we want to meet at or can you give coordinates where the camping is located?

delta21 · 07-30-09, 08:28 PM

This is your Official six weeks until "Black Balsam" Camping and Berry picking extravaganza!!!!!

I wanted to get a head count to see how many trucks are going to be coming, so I can plan on the best camping location for us.

So post up if you are coming.

I was also thinking that there are going to be an abundance of fresh wild berries so maybe we can do a pancake breakfast Sunday morning, so let me know whtcha all think about that so I can plan on cooking arrangements. For the folks that want to come up on Friday there is some great camping behind the parking lot, there are also several other spots further down the 4wd road.

Chad

ClemsonCruiser · 08-03-09, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta21

This is your Official six weeks until "Black Balsam" Camping and Berry picking extravaganza!!!!!

I wanted to get a head count to see how many trucks are going to be coming, so I can plan on the best camping location for us.

So post up if you are coming.

Chad

Will be there Sat. night for sure........ looking forward to it, been along time since I was up there

jleeFJ62 · 08-03-09, 12:05 PM

I'll be there saturday night.

boombapslappy · 08-03-09, 01:10 PM

I'm confused...

This thread says that the camping trip, therefore the Annual Meeting, is scheduled for 9/11-13 (annual on Sat. 9/12)

Two other threads (upcoming events and elections) have the annual listed as the 19th. I sent out an email last week telling everyone the annual is the 19th.

Which is it?

Edit: Camping Trip = Sept. 11-13 and Annual = Sept. 19

ClemsonCruiser · 08-03-09, 03:27 PM

I think the plan was to combine the two events in the fashion of the two previous years annuals where we camped at Alans land and Monkey Mountain the time after that......... the dates just got mixed up

either way I plan on going up after the annual at anut sues to camp at Black Balsam and if Chad has to work that weekend as I think he mentioned he would in the earlier post I would be more than happy to lead up a group. I have been down that road a couple of times and know the area.

Trollhole · 08-03-09, 07:45 PM

Would it not make more sense to have the annual Sept 13th and have the BB camping that same weekend? This way you give yourselves and other members a chance to attend the Boil with LC?

Just an idea.

BMThiker · 08-04-09, 06:45 AM

I thought we settled this earlier on this thread. Chad was fine with combining the two events and you gave him the authority to make the decision. I have it on my calendar that the Annual and the Balsam trip are the same weekend Sept 11-13. We are planning on going up Friday night camping at Balsam, then driving down Saturday AM for the Annual at Aunt Sue's then heading back up to Balsam for another night of camping.

THe UC calendar on our forum page never reflected that, but the discussions did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eventhough

I'm fine with that if Chad wants to make this a camping event for the evening of the Annual.

Chad???

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta21

I say we do both on the same weekend, I had a few reasons for picking the weekend that I did, first, it is an away game for Clemson,second school is just getting started so some probably wont be testing just yet, and third I have to work every other weekend and Sepy 11-13th is my weekend off.

I like what Troll suggested, camp out Fri, drive down(car pool) and then go back up. Black balsam gets crowded during the days, but around 3:00-4:00 pm all of the day hikers go to where ever they go, and we wshould have the place pretty much to ourselve's.

Trollhole · 08-04-09, 08:11 AM

Josh you can send me the list of who you don't have and phone numbers and I'd be more than willing to call members and get the info straight.

boombapslappy · 08-04-09, 09:02 AM

Thanks Marshall...will do.

Official change to the calander:

What: Black Balsam camping
When: Friday Sept. 11-13, 2009

Annual Meeting at Aunt Sue's will be Sept. 19

I'll edit as needed.

Edit: It needed editing.

eventhough · 08-04-09, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boombapslappy

Thanks Marshall...will do.

Official change to the calander:

What: Black Balsam camping/Annual Meeting
When: Friday Sept. 11-13, 2009 (Annual Meeting will be held at Aunt Sue's on Sat. 9/12)

Aunt Sue's will offer a buffet breakfast for us on Sat. morning at 10am but we must have at least 12 eating to make it worth while for the kitchen staff.

I'll edit as needed.

What he said

ClemsonCruiser · 08-04-09, 07:20 PM

sweet that def makes the most sense........ looking forward to this one

proinv · 08-04-09, 07:51 PM

I am planning this weekend event too.