Backpack Big South Fork
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
April 18-23, 2025
Co-Trip Leaders: Wendy Brinson and Nancy Myers
Type of Trip: Backpacking
Trip Cost: $65
Cancellation Date and full payment: February 18, 2025
Wilderness Level: 3 - typical meetup day event in good weather setting with cell coverage
Trip Difficulty: Rugged - 3400 ft elevation gain/1811 ft. elevation loss
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 4: Denotes backpacking trips on established but rugged, unmaintained trail with multi-day backpacks (30-40 pounds). The hiking can be steep and sustained with long daily distances (up to 9 miles) and significant elevation change (up to 4000 feet). You should be comfortable running/biking/hiking for several hours without many breaks.
Level 5: Applies to backpacking trips on very rugged trails or off-trail with multi-day backpacks (35-45 pounds). Expect prolonged, rugged hiking with very strenuous, difficult sections. Terrain can be steep, loose, rocky and/or exposed. You must be able to exercise vigorously at home (extended runs, swims, bike rides, etc..) to join a hike with a Level 5 rating.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
Join us for a trip to the Big South Fork Recreation Area on the Kentucky/Tennessee border for some hiking and backpacking. The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River flows through the park with steep gorges and some beautiful vistas. The 3rd week in April should be a beautiful time to be there with lots of spring flowers making an appearance. It is also home to bears and many other wild animals as well as lots of caves, waterfalls and stone arches.
The first day we will drive down then set up camp for a 2 night stay at Bandy Creek campground (which does have showers). The second day we’ll hike the Twin Arches/ Slave Falls Area for about 10 miles. On the third day we’ll leave cars at Bandy Creek Campground and start our 3-day backpack loop of 27 miles with possibly a few extra to see Angel Falls. Part of the trip will be on the John Muir Trail and part on the Sheltowee Trace trail. At the end we’ll come back to Bandy Creek campground and relax around a fire before heading back home on the 6th day.
The trails are rugged in many places, with ladders and some rock climbing so fitness will be important. Big South is similar to the Smokies on a smaller scale but has many fewer visitors.
The trip cost covers camping fees, firewood and miscellaneous expenses.
You are responsible for your transportation and all meals.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
