Itinerary
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
13 - 15 February 1999
Boy Scout Troop 9
Troop Staff

This is the description of an approximately eight mile, three day, weekend backpacking trip. The trip will be through the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area north of Morganton on NC 183. Trails covered will include the Conley cove Linville Gorge, and Pine Gap Trails. The trip is intended for scouts of varied experience in hiking and camping from intermediate on. Total distance under full pack will be approximately 8 miles. Altitudes will range from 3000 to 1800 ft. Maximum elevation change is 1200 ft in 0.7 miles, moderate grades with two longer stiff climbs under pack. Temperatures may range from 0's F. at night to the upper 80's. Most of the trail is shaded. There will be no stream crossings. Plan for cold temperatures.

Schedule.

 
Tuesday  2/9 Scout Meeting Sign up sheets due
Saturday 2/13 6:00 a.m. Depart from Chapel of the Cross
Saturday 2/13 10:00 a.m. Meet at Conley Cove trailhead.
10:00 a.m. Move about five miles by car to Pine Gap trailhead
12:00 noon  Lunch
On Conley Cove Trail
 (evening) Overnight at the intersection of Conley Cove and Linville Gorge Trails.
Sunday 2/14 Hike to Babel Tower (overnight location)
Monday 2/15 1:00 p.m.  Return to cars; depart for Chapel Hill
 5:00 p.m. Arrive in Chapel Hill, Chapel of the Cross

Messages and Emergency Contact

Telephone messages for pickup after the hike and before the troop starts home may be left by calling 933-1969.

A status message including the times that the troop starts for home and expects to arrive may be heard by calling 933-1969.

Personal Equipment

See the troop's personal equipment list for details. Sneakers are recommended as foot gear; boots are fine too. The pack should contain sufficient material for a three day campout. Assume extremes of weather; i.e., pack clothes for 0OF to 85OF.

Food and Group Equipment

Food (except Saturday lunch) and equipment will be provided by the adult staff. Pack a bag lunch for Saturday.

 Driving Route.

Estimated travel time is four hours from Chapel Hill.

I40, NC181, NC 183, Kistler Memorial Highway to Conley Cove Trail

Drivers will leave Chapel Hill Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m.

The trailhead is approximately five miles down the Kistler memorial highway, off NC 183 from NC 181 north from Morganton. Take Exit 106 from I40, Bethel Road, into Morganton. Pick up NC 181 in Morganton. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the overshoot mark for NC183. The Catawba River is the overshoot mark for the Kistler Memorial Highway which is an unpaved road leaving from a moderately sharp curve in NC183.

Water

Reliable water is available at camp and along some of the trail. Be sure to have 2 liters of canteen space. Come with full canteens for lunch Saturday and the trail afterwards.

Return Clothes

Pack a complete change of clothes, shoes, and a towel to leave in the car at the trail head.

Maps

The following book and maps were used in the preparation of this material and are relevant to the trip but are not required:

Trip Sign-up Linville Gorge, North Carolina
Hike and Campout 13 - 15 February 1999

My child(ren), _______________________________________________________ (names)

are planning to attend the Linville Gorge hike and campout with my permission.

Parent(s) and guests, if any, planning to participate are  _____________________________________________ .

(Please indicate number you would be willing to drive as well as any pack space.)

Signed:________________________________

Date:___________________________

Please Return by Tuesday 9 February 1999.