Natahala Camping prospects for Nationals?

[CaroleW.]

It's almost a sure bet that we won't reserve anything prior to getting there. Is that a problem? Or will there be a good chance availability in surrounding areas?

Carole and Andrew

[sbroam]

As Mike Watson pointed out in another thread :

Smokey Mountain Meadows will not fill up. There were over 400 of us there for Week of Rivers & there was plenty of room left. Being back at Bryson City, it's a little farther from the race site. It's less wooded than Turkey Creek.
http://smmcamp.tripod.com/

I've never been there, but from the directions, it is close. Another possibility is the Tsali campground. Last time I was there it was first come first served - if you get there early enough in the week, you might have a better shot at a site. I think you can camp in forest service lands if you can find a suitable site.

Good luck and see you there!

[Mike W.]

I like Turkey Creek & have reserved a spot. There are a lot of trees & most sites have a tent pad.
http://www.turkeycreekcampground.com/
828-488-8966

Smokey Mountain Meadows will not fill up. There were over 400 of us there for Week of Rivers & there was plenty of room left. Being back at Bryson City, it's a little farther from the race site. It's less wooded than Turkey Creek.
http://smmcamp.tripod.com/

Each of the above campgrounds have three good showers on the men's side. I don't know how the women's side is at either place. Sites are flat at both places, but there is a little bit of a hill to climb to get to the bath house at Turkey Creek. Turkey Creek is smaller than Smokey Mountain Meadows, so it may fill up.

[Louie]

WTF, you ain't but an hour and a half away ?

[CaroleW.]

Andrew wants to see what the Wisconsin group is doing as well. I'll get him to give you a shout. He's at MKC this week.

Be sure that we will be crashing over there at some point!!

Cheers!
Carole

[Louie]

drinkin and drvin too slow.

[billcanoes]

Anyone want to hit Wilson on Thursday/Friday morning and or Monday morning on the way home?

I was thinking of camping at Wilson Creek Sunday night then paddling monday morning. Mortimer USFS Campground. Located 5.3 miles upstream of the Wilson Creek Gorge put-in, about 100 minutes from downtown Asheville. It can be run to -12 in a c1- I've done -5.5 in the zephyr obviously not optimal flows but you dont have to get out of your boat and it becomes pretty technical.

Who will be at Nanty Friday-

I'm trying to decide if I want to take Friday off the full day or just a half day.

Bill

[Mike W.]

Hey Bill, you're not racing rec class on Friday?

I'll be at Turkey Creek from Thursday till Sunday. I'll bring your boat & paddle. Can't stay past Sunday though, taking the kids to Bush Gardens on Monday.

[billcanoes]

Nope- I was going to have a booth- anyway I'm just hoping to have fun up there and goof around- I'm at turkey creek too and so is riverrat (Scott- Shaman OC1)

Bill