Team Green

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BEGINNER BACKPACKING: CANEY FORK

Details

When

June 20-21st

Spend Father’s Day Weekend with Team Green on a Beginner Backpacking adventure through the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness (BFCW) in the Caney Fork River Gorge! Bring your fishing pole, license, and tackle (One-day fishing license is $5.50).

Have you hiked 8 or more miles on moderate terrain and want the added challenge of carrying all your overnight gear on your back? We will be sure to weigh everyone’s packs and help you lighten your load if you over packed. This event is limited to 10 participants.

BACKPACKING STATS:
Meeting Time: Saturday, Ju17th at 9:30 AM
Estimated Drive Time One Way: 1 hour 45 min
Hike Distance: 5 miles on day one and 2.5 on day two
Difficulty: Beginner (see rating scale below)
Trip Leader: Sheryl
Cost: Free for members, $10 non-members
Deadline: Until booked. Waiting list available.

Children Policy: Participants must be 18 years or older
Dog Policy: Friendly dogs who have experience hiking over 6 miles and have camped overnight with strangers are permitted on this trip.

Please check out the Backpacking Checklist available on the Resources Page.

Team Green practices Leave No Trace guidelines. Follow this link to see what you can do to keep our trails clean and safe.

Please keep in mind that trail conditions, weather, and group ability may cause compromise of the trip itinerary. Please be considerate of necessary changes during the trip should these instances occur.

About BFCW

The Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, a 10,000-acre gift to the citizens of Tennessee from the company, is recognized as a natural treasure for its uniqueness and diversity. It is entrusted to the Tennessee Wildlife Management Agency (TWRA) as a Wildlife Management Area with an easement to the Conservation Fund. A premier hiking and backpacking destination in the Caney Fork River Gorge, the 26 miles of trails on the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness are rated moderate to difficult. These trails offer access to the terrain of rolling hills, waterfalls, deep gorges, rocky hillsides, wildflowers, oak, hickory and pine forest, creeks, river pools, and general remoteness all combine to offer many degrees of difficulty.

Trail Details

Park at Polly Branch Trailhead and hike several miles on the Chestnut Mountain Ranch Trail (CMRT) through the woods to the ridge overlooking the gorge. The trail will continue to follow the bluff line until the junction of the Caney Fork River Trail (CFRT) where we will make the descent down to the river. Follow the CFRT to the Polly Branch Falls Campsite, a little more than 5miles total for the day. At camp relax, swim or go fishing (bring a pole & license; catch & release). The Caney Fork and its tributaries provide exceptional fishing for small mouth bass, large mouth bass, and redeye. The next day it’s approximately a 2.5 miles hike back to the car along the Polly Branch Falls Trail (PBFT) with side stops to see the lower and upper falls.

Backpacking Rating Guide

Beginner

You have DAY HIKED more than 8 miles continuously on moderate terrain (Warner Parks, etc) and would like to add the challenge of carrying more weight and camping overnight on the trail. These trips include shorter distances (6-8 miles per day) but moderate to strenuous terrain. You must attend a backpacking clinic.

Beginner to Intermediate

You have DAY HIKED more than 10 miles continuously on rough terrain (Cumberland Plateau/Smokies) and would like to add the challenge of carrying more wight and camping overnight on the trail. These trips include moderate distances (8-10 miles per day) on moderate to strenuous terrain. You must attend a backpacking clinic.

Intermediate

You have BACKPACKED 8 miles or more per day, know your abilities, have adequate equipment, and would like the added challenge of a longer backpacking trip. These trips include long distances (10-15 miles per day) on mostly strenuous terrain. It is recommended that you attend a refresher backpacking clinic.

Advanced

You have BACKPACKED 11 miles or more per day in unpleasant conditions (snow, rain, ice, wind), know your abilities, have adequate equipment, and would like the added challenge of a longer, more strenuous backpacking trip. These trips include long distances (11 miles or more per day) on strenuous terrain (Appalachian Mountains, etc). It is recommended that you attend a refresher backpacking clinic.

Registration

This event is limited to 10 participants. Cost is free for Team Green Members and $10 for non-members.

Members REGISTER HERE
Non-Members REGISTER HERE

Carpool, gear sharing and other important information will be emailed to you after registration.