Should be leaving pickens by 3:30 tops.
******Black Balsam 2015, October 15-18 ******
- Thread starter Teddy
- Start date
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Coming up in the morning, got some friends from out of town that flew in for the game. Going to catch up with them tonight and head up early.
Was a cold one! Had a great time until this happened!
Huge shout out to teddy and Eric Forrest for the help getting back on th e road!
Looks like an awesome trip. Great photos, nice sky.
I had a great time. Steve and I looked for access into Cullowhee Thursday. Moses Creek was gated right before the lower bald so no way to get there. Caney is still open up to the campsite on the river. We stayed there Thursday night. While not a long trail it's about as hard as black balsam. Which is easy but still gets you away from people. I really like camping beside water falls.
We headed up Friday morning to BLack Balsam. Found teddy going the wrong way on the parkway. So we were at the right place at the right time. Hit the trail and we were the first to get to camp with everyone else showing up throughout the day. Great sunsets and sunrises. We were in peak falls colors up there. Weather was typical. Wind during the day but not bad and cold at night. We had frost both nights. But during the day the weather was perfect with not a cloud in the sky. Just about all the hikers were well behaved. The parking lot at the trailhead was a madhouse. There were cars along both sides of the road all the way down to the parkway. Graveyard Fields was closed to camping so that may have been part of the reason for the crowd. But ironically there were fewer backpackers coming our way this year. We hit pisgah inn for lunch sat. We were seated almost right away. Had 18 for lunch all at one table. Chuck and JP showed up Sat afternoon. Potluck was a great idea with everyone chipping in. Had a fire both nights. Stars were amazing with the milky way right above. Steve and I stopped by my friends property off hwy215 on the way back today. Would be a great place to have a club family weekend camping trip as it backs up to pisgah national forest and has hiking trails that start at his property. Plus it's private and has electricity and running water. Kids had a blast. Dogs had a great time. Blue was worn out by the time we got home.
We headed up Friday morning to BLack Balsam. Found teddy going the wrong way on the parkway. So we were at the right place at the right time. Hit the trail and we were the first to get to camp with everyone else showing up throughout the day. Great sunsets and sunrises. We were in peak falls colors up there. Weather was typical. Wind during the day but not bad and cold at night. We had frost both nights. But during the day the weather was perfect with not a cloud in the sky. Just about all the hikers were well behaved. The parking lot at the trailhead was a madhouse. There were cars along both sides of the road all the way down to the parkway. Graveyard Fields was closed to camping so that may have been part of the reason for the crowd. But ironically there were fewer backpackers coming our way this year. We hit pisgah inn for lunch sat. We were seated almost right away. Had 18 for lunch all at one table. Chuck and JP showed up Sat afternoon. Potluck was a great idea with everyone chipping in. Had a fire both nights. Stars were amazing with the milky way right above. Steve and I stopped by my friends property off hwy215 on the way back today. Would be a great place to have a club family weekend camping trip as it backs up to pisgah national forest and has hiking trails that start at his property. Plus it's private and has electricity and running water. Kids had a blast. Dogs had a great time. Blue was worn out by the time we got home.
Oh and Teddy and I came up with a new name for this trip. Fall Family Reunion. Fitting because while there are new people who come every year the core are always the same. Plus everyone feels like family.
Hope to make it next year!
- Thread starter
- #114
Well, what can I say? Once again I had a great time. Overall weather was perfect the entire weekend, despite the wind being pretty brutal on Friday night. I think we ate better than I can remember...and drank too much bourbon. On behalf of the BOD, I want to thank everyone for coming out and bringing the good vibes with them.
I am constantly blown away with what a great group of friends I have made over the last 6 years in the Cruiser community. I will see most of you all many times before next year's Family Reunion trip, but if not make sure you plan to come again and bringing a crowd!
We are going to get the calendar out for next year's events ASAP, but in the meantime, here are some pics.
All loaded up ready to go
Following Steve in
Early arrivals
Tack man and Blue already worn out
I am constantly blown away with what a great group of friends I have made over the last 6 years in the Cruiser community. I will see most of you all many times before next year's Family Reunion trip, but if not make sure you plan to come again and bringing a crowd!
We are going to get the calendar out for next year's events ASAP, but in the meantime, here are some pics.
All loaded up ready to go
Following Steve in
Early arrivals
Tack man and Blue already worn out
Awesome pics. Heard there was some hiking too, excellent. Out of curiosity, did anyone record the track in a gps? I would like to have that if possible.