Cantrell Lodge

First trip of the year and the season for Randy and me, and the first backpack trip in at least quite a while for my honey Dawn was a repeat journey to Cantrell Lodge in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. This beautiful spot, about 16 miles (as the crow flies...) from the Biltmore House and Gardens used to be part of Mr. Vanderbilt's backyard. Such was the lay of the land in pre-income tax America.

The trip kind of came together at the last minute, and we hastily arranged to meet Mike Kennerly (of Asheville) who'd ride/walk with us on the way in for a day-hike.

I finally managed to get my winter pack down below 35 pounds (Dawn makes a great mule!), and of course, we managed to try out some new gear. Featured this time were a pair of Camelbak hydration systems. I decided to replace my older Platypus unit with the Camelbak, which - while heavier - looks to be more durable than the platy, and it fits perfectly into the exterior pocket on my pack (so it won't flap around all the way down the trail). What's more, the insulated wrapper managed both to keep the evening's chill from freezing my water AND keep it nice and cold on the way out.

We left Atlanta Saturday morning to meet at the trailhead at noon. On the way up we noted a bunch of flags at half-staff, but were unsure of the reason. We'd learn of the tradgedy of the Space Shuttle Columbia on the way back Sunday night. Terribly sad...

The trip to Cantrell lodge is noted for its beauty and its swinging bridges. It's a popular spot for day-hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The trail shows the hard use. We tried to make some time on the way in, fearing that the place would be picked clean for firewood (as it was last time we stopped here in springtime). None of us Atlantans remembered a couple of hills on the way in, but Mike knows this area really well and guided us to our destination.

Upon reaching our campsite, we found that there was wood aplenty, and we went about the evening's chores: wood, water, pack repair, etc. Mike was very kind to help us with wood and adjustments to Dawn's pack, and cut it pretty close to sunset before taking off. Our GPSes got into a disagreement about what time sunset would occur, but I think Mike's probably was right. He took off on his mountain bike and tells us he managed to reach the base of the hill that leads to the trailhead in 30 minutes, walked the (big!) hill in another 20.

Dawn claimed the role of fire-wench and built us a nice fire for the evening, and I can imagine that there'll be quite a leadership struggle between Dawn and our usual firebug Richard if he ever again graces us with his presence on a backpacking trip.

Randy managed to pack a little lighter this time (while still bringing a tent suitable for a family of five - we think it's the tank corps influence...). Looks like he's running through the last of his MREs...

I got a chance to try out my Kodak DC5000 water-resistant digital camera in the hills for the first time and was favorably impressed. Nice to have better color than I was getting with the film, and to have the images back immediately. It's a little heavier than the old pentax WR, but it's making me a lot happier. I think I may have to dial the exposure back just a little (a few overexposed pix are bumming me out), but otherwise, I'm pretty happy. Will see how these images stand up to printing soon.

The stars appeared, quite bright in a completely clear sky, the portent of a colder-than-expected night, and we all shivered a bit in what sleep we got (temp reached the 20s, sez Mike; this is why we're 10 degrees conservative on temp rating for bags and clothes and weather forecasts). Randy got to try out his new LED headlamp (these things are a godsend - you gotta get one!) and Dawn sported my old weighs-a-ton Petzel full-size lamp. We turned in a little early.

Come the daylight, Dawn managed to coax another fire to life, we broke the fast on pancakes, scrambled MRE and such. We took our time packing, and managed to run into a bunch of riders from Hendersonville who'd come up the trail in the AM. One guy's horse was busy trying to throw him and his saddlebags (and managed to toss off the bags...). He managed to get it together and I took a couple of shots of the whole group with his camera.

We headed on back in beautiful February weather that would coast to nearly 60 degrees before we reached the trailhead. We stopped for lunch at the fetching valley that we'd enjoyed on the first Cantrell Lodge outing. We made great time on the trip out, and finally made the backbreaking 1/4 mile climb out to the car. (It's easier than I'm making it out, really - it's just not what you want to see on the last 1/4 mile of a trip...). The three of us headed back to civilization, to restrooms and hamburgers and a well-deserved rest.