Tedford Creek Drainage

[MobileBackpacker]

So its been less than a week and im jonesin already to get back to the Sipsey. Im looking at my next possible ramble and Tedford Creek just east of FR210 and North of the Northwest Road looks pretty interesting. Lots of hollows and sharp elevation differences with what looks like plenty of waterfall potential.

According to the Briartech map there seems to be a trail of sorts (green dots)? Looks like the Arnold motorway would be a good jumping off point

any suggestions? Any must see features?

[MobileBackpacker]

anybody?

this may be a good thing

[Joshua Szulecki]

It is on my list for this winter. However, I'm holding off because I strongly suspect that it will be a bushwhack, and I generally save bushwhacks for November-April.

[MobileBackpacker]

i just realized that it is not in the wilderness area, do you know if there is private land within the drainage? I'll have to llok at the carto and see if it shows any.

waiting for the leaves to drop is probably a good idea, maybe we could collaborate on this one. Im interested in checking it out.

[montysano]

I did Tedford a few years back.  My memory of it is that I was kind of disappointed.  For being so close to Quillan and Thompson, there were hardly any hemlocks.... and I'm all about the hemlocks.  Same with Hagood Creek; nice, but not nearly as nice as the Quillan/Sipsey area, or the Caney area.  YMMV.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Montysano,

Your description is similar to what I have heard. Do you recall what the topography and plant life were like, beyond the lack of hemlocks? I think that area was logged much closer to the streams than was possible in most of the hemlock zone, and I'm curious as to what it plant life was like. Of course, if you are like me, you went in winter, so you don't really know beyond the trees.

There IS some private property in the area, although the new Cart-o-craft shows (I think) less than the old one. I looks easy enough to avoid.

That said... Tedford is low on my 2009-2010 priorities list for Sipsey/Bankhead and for hiking in general. Much more urgent are some waterfall excursions in other areas of Sipsey/Bankhead for this winter, and some wildflower destinations in Sipsey/Bankhead, E. TN, and Virginia.

[Uncle Wayne]

I did Tedford a few years back.  My memory of it is that I was kind of disappointed.  For being so close to Quillan and Thompson, there were hardly any hemlocks.... and I'm all about the hemlocks.  Same with Hagood Creek; nice, but not nearly as nice as the Quillan/Sipsey area, or the Caney area.  YMMV.

Agree.  There are some things to see in Tedford if you know where to look but not much. It's way down my list of places to explore again. 

[MobileBackpacker]

wow, disappointing. I know the main drainage looks generally flat but the upper reaches look extremely steep especially towards the west and south. I would be curious to hear what areas of Tedford you guys explored. Thats a bummer that is was logged so close to the streams.

[montysano]

I would be curious to hear what areas of Tedford you guys explored.

I think we did something like this:

http://www.mapmyhike.com/...sville/487125635996731627

Plus probably peeked in a few more of the side creeks.

[Uncle Wayne]

I think we did something like this:

http://www.mapmyhike.com/...sville/487125635996731627

Plus probably peeked in a few more of the side creeks.

I was cave hunting and started off of the Byler Road on montesano's map and hiked to Thompson creek.  If I'd never been there, it's be somewhere I'd want to explore but since I have, it's not worth the effort to return for me.  YMMV since you haven't been there.