need ideas for dugger mount. over nighter

[bellaleo]

I am planing my first over night trip  (YAAAAAAA). Me and a friend of mine are wonting to explore
Dugger mountain. We will be going out next Saturday and Sunday. We would like to start out Saturday morning some where along the Pinhoti trail and head up Dugger Mount. Set up at the top and camp for the night. The next day will be spent exploring the mountain off trail. would like to do about 12  miles of hiking over the two days We would then like to break in the late after noon and hike the rest of the way out on the Pinhoti coming out on FS 500. Or maybe in reverse 500 to pinky burns

Where would be a good place to start the hike? Are there any really neat areas on the mountion to explore? I have  a GPS so cords would be great if you have them. Feel free to e -mail me if privet if you don't want info public.

[bellaleo]

Any one know how to contact Hugh Hickman I need to talk to him about ordering a pocket guide.  I have his address but I would like to talk to him before I mail a check for the guide.

[Mountain Dog]

As to Hugh, go to http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/ .
As to Duggar, Search this forum and you will find reference to some old Indian caves off Jones Branch Road. I think there was a map and possible coordinates in the discussion link.  At the top, go to N33 52.939  W85 35.246 for foundation remains of an old fire tower, you can find level ground to camp there.  There is also an old fire tower access road that takes you to fs 500 but a few miles west of where the Pinhoti crosses.  I was told by a ranger who grew up in the area that there are remains of an old crashed plane near the top and east of the old fire tower access road.  He said the last time he saw it it was pretty much covered over by debris but he thought it was still there.  I looked a short time but did not see anything.  Usually, there will be no water from Jones Branch to the flats on the north side of the mountain.  I've seen wet weather streams in really wet times but I would not bet on finding any water between the two reliable sources.  If you find the reference to the Indian caves, you might consider going from 500 to Pink e Burns on the Pinhoti and then going back up Jones Branch Road to explore the Indian cave.  Happy hiking

[Mountain Dog]

I did a quick search and could not find the reference I cited above.  Therefore, I do not know what forum I was reading when I saw the map and the discussion.  Maybe someone here has a better memory.   I remember it being on the west side of the road and up one of the little draws.  The cave was not much more than an overhang.

[bellaleo]

thanks for the info. would  love to see the caves  if i can find out more about them. i was thinking that 500 to pinky's would be better because i would much rather leave a car there then on 500. my room mate can drop us off so no need for two cars.  is there water near the fire tower?

[Mountain Dog]

The only water on Duggar is the flats near 500, which is before you start up the mountain, and on the short section of Jones Branch Road which will be to the east of The Pinhoti.   Your should plan a dry hike if you are not camping neat P Burns or FS 500.  The water on Jones Branch is, after decending the mountain and headed south, you will cross Jones branch road.  If you go right you can follow the road to P Burns and a really pretty walk along side Jones Branch after about 5 minutes.  But, if you look left, you will see a tree across the road.  Go past the tree and down the hill.  There is a good creek there and some decent camping across the creek.

[bellaleo]

Thanks for the info. . Thinking about starting more towards Colman lake then heading to Dugger. Maybe around the where it crossed FS 500 or near the horse trails. 

Where might be a good drop off point that would be about 4 or 5 miles form P Burns?

I'm so excited. I been planing this for a vary long time.

 

[Mountain Dog]

I'm searching for more indian info.  I'll post some topics that should lead you to the caves off jones Branch.
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 Report this postReply with quote Re: Hello, trip report and questions
by hetairoi » Tue Nov 25, 2008 8:57 pm

I'm not sure where my friend got this, but here is the line and GPS coords I have

Point Name: DMW005: Cross stream to a carved-out rock face that is the site of a centuries-old Native American dwelling Location: 33.84483°, -85.62823°

Point Name: DMW006: Carved rock face; backtrack to old road; turn R Location: 33.84704°, -85.62931°

Looking at my GPS, the road west to the rock is a little over a half mile from where the road turns to the north (probably not 2 miles from the TH). The road turns left off the Jones Branch road and there is a log across the road right at the beginning. It's not a half mile up that road to where the rock is.

Here are some pics and descriptions

http://www.angrysparrow.c...m/hetairoi/dmwhollow.html
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Here is a link to a map  http://www.trimbleoutdoor...iewTrip.aspx?tripId=27910
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Ok I've about exhausted my research.  But, if you want to continue exploring, there are one or two old houses east of P Burns place.  They are near Rabbit Town Road and almost completely hidden by the forest.  You can bushwhack to them from P Burns.  One is not much more than the remaining basement. 

Please make a trip report if you search for any of the places I've identified. 

[bellaleo]

Thank you so much for all the info. I will make sure to do  a full trip report.

[bellaleo]

Been off work the past two days and, have been working on getting my gear packed. Up to about 30lb including fuel water and food but, not including a tent ( will be splitting the load of a two man with my buddy. )My pack looks huge you would think it had 50lb in it . I'm gonna go through it again tonight. I put it on and after changing the load a few time walked around the yard for a while. Pack feels pretty good but still think I need to shave some weight. I am a rather well endowed female and the pack is made for a man . It does not sit on my shoulder vary good. So I sewed on a strum strap. It helped some. Still not to bad for a $7.99 thrift store find. Will post pics of gear layout later.

Question?

We are planing to go FS 500 to P Burns trail head.  From the map it looks like we should see a trail to the right that leads to Jones Branch. How far down this trail do you have to go to get to water?


P.S

overnighter has been postponed. my buddy needs to be at home on sunday. we are still planing to do the jones branch to pinhoti loop  as a day hike. will post trail report when back from trip

[bellaleo]

All ready for tommrow . My pack is packed and the GPS is loaded up. I can't wate to hit the trail.