Itinerary
Grandfather Mountain
Hike and Campout
Boy Scout Troop 9
14-16 February 2004

Description

Grandfather Mountain park has a set of very challenging crest trails that go from mountain top to mountain top with ladders and cables to assist in the most difficult climbs. We will backpack about two miles and camp on the eastern end of the mountain ridge for two nights. We will spend the day hiking the crest trails, climbing the ladders to visit most of the peaks of the Grandfather Mountain Range. If time permits, we may get to the famous Mile High swinging bridge. If the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed due to weather, we will change to Plan B, which changes the base camp location, but the trip basically remains the same.

Departing from the Boone Fork Parking Lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the backpacking route follows the Tanawha Trail to the Daniel Boone Scout Trail to the Daniel Boone campsite, about two miles. The day hike route continues on the Daniel Boone Scout Trail up to the ladders to the top of Calloway Peak. It descends on the Cragway trail to Calloway Gap, where it joins the Grandfather Trail. The trail runs along the ridge to the ladders up to MacRae Peak. After a partial descent on more ladders from the peak, the route takes the Underwood trail (with only one ladder) around MacRae peak back to the Grandfather Trail to return to the campsite going over Calloway Peak again. It time allows, a side trip may be taken, continuing on the Grandfather Trail to the Swinging Bridge and return. For Plan B, departing from the Profile Parking lot on NC-105, the backpacking route follows the Profile Trail to the Profile campsite, about two miles. The day hike route continues on the Profile Trail to Calloway Gap to the Grandfather Trail. After climbing both MacRae and Calloway Peaks, the hike returns on the Profile Trail back to camp.

Schedule

Saturday 7:00 a.m. Depart, Chapel of the Cross
  12:00 a.m., est. On-Trail at Boone Fork Parking Lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Plan B: Profile Parking Lot on NC-105)
Saturday
 Night Daniel Boone Campsite (Plan B: Profile Campsite)
Sunday
 Day
 Day Hike along Crest Trails and Ladders

Night
 Daniel Boone Campsite (Plan B: Profile Campsite)
Monday 10:00 a.m. Hike out
  12:00 noon Arrive at Boone Fork Parking Lot; depart for home (Plan B: Profile Parking Lot on NC-105)
  5:00 p.m., est. Arrive, Chapel of the Cross 

Messages and Trip Status

Telephone contact may be tried; call 593-0290 (Mr. Filpus) or 740-4351 (Mr. Hock). Much of the area has poor cell phone coverage.

Personal Equipment

See the troop equipment list for details. Sneakers are recommended as foot gear; boots are fine too. Assume extremes of weather; i.e., pack clothes for 25OF to 85OF. Send some combination of sunscreen, hats and light-weight, long-sleeved shirts: sun protection may be an issue.

Food and Group Equipment

Food (except Saturday lunch) and group equipment will be coordinated at the troop meetings. The group will plan dinner Saturday and Sunday and breakfast Sunday and Monday. Bring bag lunches for Saturday at the trailhead and Sunday on trail. Monday's lunch may be left in the cars.

Water

Assume that local water will be available at the camp site. The crest trails will be dry. Start full. The water at the camp site is potable; be prepared to purify it before using.

Driving Route

Estimated travel time is five hours.

Maps

The following maps were used in the preparation of this material and are relevant to the trip but are not required.
Grandfather Mountain Trail Map And Backcountry Guide, Grandfather Mountain, PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646