I know that not all of the lakes here in the Southeast are up to normal levels, but those of you who are fortunate enough to be near one that’s up to full pool should check out the summer sale at the-house.com. They’ve got some pretty good deals on water skiing and wakeboarding gear right now. We got out on the lake near us last weekend and had a blast. It was a little crowded since it was 4th of July weekend and people are so excited they can use their boats this year.

I have been slack about posting recently but have been working behind the scenes on some new features we will be adding to campnpost. It is a store catalog powered by Rei and there affiliate program run through AvantLink which will be centered around camping and hiking. This functionality will allow you to search for products Rei’s offers in their camping/hiking department. You will be able to see reviews and all available product descriptions based on those products you are looking for. You will also be able to write your own reviews etc….

The review feature is one that I will be focusing heavily on here at campnpost and when applicable will be posting reviews on products I have tested within the catalog. In addition to posts about the southeast and outdoor activities that relate to this site and the area, you will now be able to purchase the gear, be informed on all the product and spend more time doing things you love rather than getting ripped off on shoddy gear, go to a third rate trash ridden, arm pit of a campsite and regretting the whole thing!

outdoor gear stores featured in this way on campnpost, which means that eventually I will have it set up, thanks to AvantLink and the respective stores to shop at all of them and compare prices, check out reviews etc.. to find the best possible gear while reading up on some of our adventures.

Some of the other stores which will eventually be included wil be:

• Patagonia
• AltrecOutdoors
• Moosejaw
• Backcountry
• PeterGlenn
• Masseys
• The-House

and more…. so stay tuned.

For a short but growing list of trails in the south check the Trails category here:

Trail Information:

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 4.5 miles

Location: Bartow County

Limitations: Hiking only

Directions:

Take I-75 Exit 293, US 411 north approximately 8 miles. Turn right onto GA 140 east toward Waleska. Continue approximately three miles to Pine Log Creek Trail parking area.

Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest at the southwestern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Fort Mountain sits at the top of a 3,712 acre area along Forest Service Road 68 between Chatsworth and Ellijay in northern Georgia. It is known for a couple a interesting features like a long stone wall which were placed in a sort of unanswered way.

Area Information:

There is an old stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps headquartered in Eton, Georgia with an ancient rock wall the runs for 885 feet near it and varies in height from two to six feet. Some say it was built by Indians for either defense or for ceremonies. There are myths and rumors centered around local Indian culture and a race of “moon-eyed” people… Others will say that it was crafted by Welsh prince Madoc around 1400 AD. Petroglyphs can be found that would seem to support this as a possibility. Both could be nothing more than speculation.

Most scholars would put the wall being built around 500 AD for religious or ceremonial purposes. Whatever happened it must have been a fairly difficult task. I was told that many if not most of the boulders are not from this area??

Quick Review:

We like this spot mainly for day hiking ourselves. With paved roads giving access to many of what the area has to offer it has a bit more of a touristy feel to it but still nice. It could be good with youngsters who would also enjoy swimming in the lake or using the swing-sets. All in all it is a nice spot but would probably recommend another spot for avid tent campers who enjoy more secluded settings.

Campground Information:

• Fort Mountain State Park,
  Chatsworth, Georgia, 30705
  (706)695-2621County: Murray County
• Directions: From Chatsworth go east on Ga 52—Travel 7 miles into the Cuhutta Range. Turn left into Fort Mountain.

Activities:

Camping

• 70 Tent/Trailer/RV Sites
• 15 Cottages
• 6 Platform Campsites
• 4 Walk-In Campsites

Hiking

Swimming

• 17 acre lake (man made)

The Naked Ground Trail trailhead is located at the end of the Memorial Forest parking lot. It heads 4.3 miles up to Naked Ground named for the lack of trees back in the day. Along the way you can see some pretty interesting plant life like Indian Pipe which is a fungi like plant the does not get its energy from the sun, rather it is a mycorrhizal and feeds off of the area trees. From there you can head left for 1.3 miles towards Bob Stratton Bald which is a mile-high meadow with views of the surrounding Smokies and Nantahala forest. This is a great spot to camp when backpacking especially after the seemingly endless switchbacks near the top of the Naked Ground Trail.
You can also head right for 1.4 miles following the ridge line until you come to the Hangover Lead and the Hangover made up of several rock outcroppings which rise above the rhododendron thicket that canopies the trail that leads you out to it.

From here you can head down multiple ways if you plan right. You can take Deep Creek Trail to Big Fat Gap, Jenkins Meadows which leads to the beginning of the short road to the Memorial Forest parking lot, or you can return to take Naked Ground back down and a couple more but these are the main routes and I recommend only hiking this area with a map. this is not the place to wing it.

The picture below is actually a good spot that can be found on Naked Ground Alt. #55A which branches off to your right when coming down the Naked Ground Trail. This can be useful if you’ve just had enough already or ran out of daylight but if you can push a little further its not far to the parking lot.

For those of you who know the way around the area, the portion of the Jenkins Meadow that traverses back over to the Naked Ground trail is pretty rough right now. Needs to see some more action. It hasn’t gotten to the point of bushwacking but its rough. Another thing to keep in mind is that it seems the snakes indiginous to the area are out in full force. We ended up seeing 4-5 this last weekend

The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan or (SCORP) will be doing a five year study from 2008 - 2013 and the campaign launch developed by Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division (PRHSD) will open with the following benefits to the public:

a Free Day in the Parks on June 14 sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company; the introduction of a Library Loan ParkPass Program to make admission to state parks and historic sites accessible through local public libraries; special recreational activities and events at state park and historic site locations throughout the state; a proclamation signed by Governor Sonny Perdue to declare June as Georgia Great Outdoors Month in recognition of this initiative and as part of a National Great Outdoors Month celebration; and the introduction of the Get Outdoors Georgia Gopher.

I think these are actually a couple good promotion ideas, I just wonder how much it will do. It seems to me the people that like to be outdoors like it and will do it regardless and those who don’t will probably not be stripped from their tv remotes enough to make a difference but hey at least someone’s trying! Right?

To learn more about it visit the sites listed below:

Perhaps locals love it for the convenience it lends to their motor boating addictions or it serves as some nice fisherman’s launching area to get to one of their favorite coves on the lake, but for those who are traveling more than 20 miles for the purposes of getting away to what you hope will be a nice wooded spot, maybe with a stream nearby.. this is not for you. When it comes to car camping in North Carolina, this is not one I would recommend

Lot

The first area you come across will be Loop A has 18 sites divided by a winding gravel road. Most of the sites along this approach are open w/little or no privacy and a bit on the trampled, trashy side. The bathrooms are surprisingly clean. Most sites on this loop provide a temporary home to rv’s.

Loop B 19-33 has handicap accessibility, not attractive, paved but close to bath. Site 21 is more a secluded and is probably one of the best sites on this loop. The trailhead for the Ramsey Bluff Trail is located right off the loop between site 21 & 23. Sites 23 & 24 are located on water in one of the lakes small coves but are a little open lacking privacy. If you travel further on down the main road you will pass the dump station on right between Loop B & C.

The next is Loop C 34-52 which is in my opinion the best loop overall is more private and has a little more to offer in the way of natural beauty. Site 37 which you will find on the right side of the road on the corner as you drive through the loops winding road which we have stayed at is actually pretty nice but sites 41 (pictured above) & 42 are more private and spacious and are probably two of the best sites in the campground and C Loop is the closest loop to the Ramsey Bluff boating access and the bike trail. Turn right out of C loop and continue to the parking lot for the biking area and the trailhead at open field at end of road. The boat launch and picnic area on lake is also at the end of this road.

• Address:Hanging Dog Campground, 201 Woodland Drive, Murphy, NC 28906
• Phone Number:828-837-5152
• Location:Nantahala National Forest
• Open Seasons: From May until October
• $8.00 /night
• Elevation: 1,600 feet
• Activities:

Boating, fishing and other water sport activities, Biking, Hiking

• Trails:
  Mingus Trail:Trailhead located across from Loop B to boat ramp
  Ramsey Bluff Trail:Trailhead located between Sites 21 & 23 on Loop B - winds along lake for 2.2 miles
  Bike Trail: Trailhead located at the end of the parking lot at the end of the main campground road (follow signs once you reach the boat launch area)
• Location: From Murphy take NC 1326 (Brown Road) for 5 miles through downtown. Turn left at sign for Hanging Dog

The coalition includes:

Alabama Hiking Trail Society
Appalachian Trail Conference
Benton MacKaye Trail Association
Carolina Mountain Club
Chattanooga Hiking Club
Florida Trails Association
Foothills Trail Conference
Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (ATC)
Georgia Bartram Trail Group
Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association
Hiwassee Hiking Club
Kentucky Trails Association
Mountain High Hikers
Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club
Palmetto Conservation Foundation-Palmetto Trails
Pine Mountain Trail Conference
Potomoc Appalachian Trail Club (ATC)
Rivanna Trails Foundation
Smoky Mountain Hiking Club
Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club
Trail of Legends Association
Alabama Trail Association

The statewide hiking club is looking for people who love to hike, regardless of their skill level. The club consists of new and seasoned hikers who share a desire to be outdoors, participate in invigorating outdoor exercise, meet interesting people and build and maintain trails for future generations.

Time/Location: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at the Dyersburg Activity Center.

For more information visit:

• www.tennesseetrails.org
• Tennessee Trails Association
  P.O. Box 41446
  Nashville, TN 37204-1446
• Or, call our toll-free information request line at 1-888-HIKE-TTA (1-888-445-3882).