Raven Fork 3 Forks

[MtnMike]

CinciVol, thanks for the twohikers link.
I'm going to look into this myself, but maybe someone already has the answer. What are the park regulations and requirements when it comes to hiking unmaintained trails or no trail at all? Obviously when we are fishing up a stream, we are not necessarily on a maintained trail. Just wondering what is allowed and what is not allowed.

Mike

[Crockett]

Hey MtnMike there are no regulations against hiking on unmaintained trails or even on no trail at all. I am sure if you ask a ranger they may try and disuade you but it ain't against the law as they say. There is an unmaintained trail right behind the greenbriar ranger station that leads to injun creek and I have taken it before waving at the rangers as I set out and parking right there at the ranger station.

[Speckleman5]

I am not sure if this is accurate or not, but I believe the prk gives an off trail hiking permit for bushwhackers who want to travel by compass and such. I don't think they have any problem with it as long as you don't have a fire. I believe you can even get a backcountry permit as long as there is no fire. Once again, I am not sure this is accurate but I soon will be finding out as I am planning on some deeper treks this year.

[nvr2L8]

Defeat Ridge Trail up towards Sams Creek is also an unmaintained trail if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure there are a lot of trails whose only maintenance is the regular foot travel of folks like us.

[Speckleman5]

Yeah usually there is an old logging trail of some sort close by. Straight Fork is another prime example, i just wish it went all the way to Balsam Corner.

[mayday]

Don't forget there are two places in the Smokies labeled Three Forks...but only one big pool!

[Rog 1]

When I was first starting to fish the Park my relatives mostly referred to areas rather than specific streams....Elkmont, Greenbrier, Tremont, Sportsman's Stream(WPLP)....one particular area that we sometimes fished was above Elkmont beyond campsite #30....this area was known within our circle as 3 Forks....am sure there must be other such areas in the park.

[WNCFLY]

My dad has fished it back in the day. He is a surveyor and very good with maps. He has said that he would love to take me up there sometime, but his knees just will not hold up these days. He has fished in the most rugged places in the mountains and he told me that this area was one of, if not the worst. He said the fishing was great and the old growth forest is incredible. I want to make the trip sometime when I have enough days off from work to explore it thoroughly.

[mayday]

Hey James...shoot me an email with the scanned hiking guide for Raven Fork/Big Pool. I am planning to spend my first night at Pecks Corner and the next day going to see two old plane crashes off Mt Sequoyah then drop on down to Big Pool. I will be seeking an off trail overnight permit in the area then on day three (hopefully) go up Breakneck Ridge to C44 spend the night and come out.

jeffwadley@bellsouth.net

[duckypaddler]

Anyone else want them?

Originally Posted by mayday

Hey James...shoot me an email with the scanned hiking guide for Raven Fork/Big Pool. I am planning to spend my first night at Pecks Corner and the next day going to see two old plane crashes off Mt Sequoyah then drop on down to Big Pool. I will be seeking an off trail overnight permit in the area then on day three (hopefully) go up Breakneck Ridge to C44 spend the night and come out.

jeffwadley@bellsouth.net