Beautiful trails, nice to be able to see so much. Your tent setup is perfect. We have good enough rain to carry a tarp, not something that most folks consider. Thanks for taking the time for video/sharing your adventure…from an old vet, retired in the foothills of the Smokies.
4 nights solo in Citico Creek Wilderness.....how nice! Really liked your filming and editing. Added a lot of value to the video.... Thanks for sharing!
We always love your videos! This was a fun 4 night trip. Looked chilly with the snow, but very peaceful! The bushwacking looked a bit difficult. We're pretty excited to start backpacking this year. It's finally warming up here in South Dakota. Thanks for taking us with you! ❤
@@BryanDeLay Thank you! Yeah, we were below zero for quite a few days in recent months, but now we're in the 70s. Crazy South Dakota weather. 😆 I'm sure we still won't go backpacking for a few months yet. Have a great weekend! 👍
Thanks for sharing, Bryan. Another enjoyable trip to watch and it definitely motivates me to get back out there. I have my first long trail trip of the year coming up in a couple of weeks and I’m sure chomping at the bit to get moving.
Nice winter hike, I kept watching those rhodo leaves to see if they were curling up like a pencil especially early in the morning. They will when the temps get in the low teens or single digits. What a treat to wake up to snow on your outing! Thanks for displaying the route, looks like good one with part of the path in the route finding mode. Always enjoy your fine videos. Greetings from KY. 😁
Thanks for taking us on this winter adventure. No need to worry about "overuse" issues...exposed roots etc on these trails...ha...ha. Thanks for showing us the set up on your tarp over tarp extension. Is it ever too cold to use your gravity feed water filter?
Thank you Caroline! I'm not sure what temperature flowing water during gravity feed would freeze. I'd think below 15 degrees is getting into dangerous territory. If it's below freezing I try to remove the filter as soon as the clean water bladder is full and shake all the water out of the filter and put it in my pocket or put it in a very small stuff sack and hang that around my neck under my jacket.
Great trip Bryan! You sure had a variety of weather! I think I might pack it in if I got snowed on, but then again, it would be so quiet and peaceful, I'm sure I'd love it. You had some great camp spots and nice campfires. Whew, lots of blow downs and a few challenges of water and bush whacking. Thanks for showing the maps, it helps me to follow along since I don't know the area. I hope it's not too long before I get my first overnight of the year. We've still got cold temps with rain, wind and snow in the higher elevations. Hopefully in a few weeks it'll start to warm up. Great that you got to finish up with some sunshine even though it got cold. Thanks for sharing the Citico Creek Wilderness with us! - Jen
Thanks Jennifer! Only once have I bailed because of snow. It was in the late 1990's and we were doing a 40 mile loop and it snowed about two feet. Our hiking pace in the snow was so slow that we couldn't complete the loop in our allotted time frame, so at a road crossing we hitched back to our car. You are right it is very beautiful and peaceful to wake up to snow. Hope you get in a backpack in the next few weeks.
Thanks OutdoorOperator! The additional tarp is a custom made 5' X 5' silpoly tarp that weighs 3.6 oz and no additional stakes are required and no additional cords are required since I'm using cords carried to use with the Duomid during high winds.
I love your videos. They are very well edited and produced. I appreciate your emphasis on the beauty of backpacking rather than how-to's and gear reviews. I did a 4 day trip to Big Frog last year and loved it. I'm planning another 4 day trip in a few weeks to Joyce Kilmer. What's your favorite backpacking wilderness in that GA/NC/TN area?
Thanks Kit! I was expecting rain, but not snow. The rain was forecast to clear out before the cold front arrived, but the mountains must have stalled the precipition . In fact it was still snowing and sleeting in the morning.
Hey Bryan. Awesome video. I’ve planned a loop very similar, except we’d head down Mill Branch. Crowder trail must have gotten upset with the trail maintenance a year ago and took it back!!! Guess I’ll just keep the love hate relationship with that trail. Also, looks like you create a trailstarMid out of that Duo.
Thanks Dean! Yea, some new blow downs in the upper part of Crowder Branch Trail negated the last trail maintenance. The small gray tarp is a 5' X 5' silpoly tarp that weighs 3.6 oz and the addition is really nice when it's raining.
Timing could not have been better, headed back to the Citico Creek area again in early April. You got your snow on this hike! Gettin' worried though Bryan, I heard somebody say the first sign of getting old is losing your telekinesis skills 😜
Bryan how far up the Rocky Flats Trail from Double Camp to the chimney ? I've walked a little ways up Rocky Flats but not far enough. Like to see the chimney. Who needs a trail guide when they've got Bryan ? Thanks
Hi Bryan. Thanks AGAIN, for such a nice and enjoyable video! Comments: 1. It appears the trails were not marked. I assume the intersections were signed. 2. Question: What brand and kind of shoes do you typically use? I appreciate your videos, and always look forward to more (especially in the Smokies, Tennessee, etc.) God Bless!
Thank you very much Ken! The trail intersections are marked with the 4X4 posts shown in the video, although there are some regular signs in Citico Creek Wilderness. Sometimes the 4X4 posts are difficult to read because bears like to chew on the treated lumber. For the last three years I've been wearing during the winter Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX shoes here: www.rei.com/product/209607/altra-olympus-5-hike-low-gtx-hiking-shoes-mens. During warmer months I've been wearing Altra Olympus 5 Trail Running shoes here: www.rei.com/product/209551/altra-olympus-5-trail-running-shoes-mens.
Beautiful trails, nice to be able to see so much. Your tent setup is perfect. We have good enough rain to carry a tarp, not something that most folks consider. Thanks for taking the time for video/sharing your adventure…from an old vet, retired in the foothills of the Smokies.
Thanks again ppapajeff! I always carry a tarp or other shelter and rain gear when I backpack in the Southern Appalachians.
Thanks
You're welcome Mark!
Great video and great area.
Thanks Johnny!
Beautiful nature
Thanks!
4 nights solo in Citico Creek Wilderness.....how nice!
Really liked your filming and editing. Added a lot of value to the video.... Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Tom! I'll contact you about getting together soon.
@@BryanDeLay Great.....I was just thinking about that! Looking forward to it.
Hi Bryan.
Always love your videos. I haven’t made it Citico Creek yet, But I Will some day. Thanks for sharing your journeys with us!
🦉
Thanks Danny! You definitely check it out sometime.
I enjoyed the video, that area is one I would like to visit again soon! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lauren! Hope you get to visit this area soon.
Awesome adventure! It was beautiful and the snow was awesome too. Great solitude too!
Thank you Nicole! The snow was a surprise.
Great to see another video Bryan. love the setup on night 3 followed by snow in the morning. 👍👍
Thanks Tom! The additional 5" X 5' silpoly tarp is only 3.6 oz and is very nice during rain.
Very enjoyable video to watch.
Thank you very much!
Beautiful work bud, this was enjoyable and relaxing! Your storytelling is great
Thank you very much ervinslens!
We always love your videos! This was a fun 4 night trip. Looked chilly with the snow, but very peaceful! The bushwacking looked a bit difficult. We're pretty excited to start backpacking this year. It's finally warming up here in South Dakota. Thanks for taking us with you! ❤
Thank you very much. Not sure warming up in South Dakota in March is what I would call warming up. Wishing you the best with backpacking.
@@BryanDeLay Thank you! Yeah, we were below zero for quite a few days in recent months, but now we're in the 70s. Crazy South Dakota weather. 😆 I'm sure we still won't go backpacking for a few months yet. Have a great weekend! 👍
Pine Ridge Trail was where I harvested my first deer in1975. Many trips there with Dad and brothers. Many memories. Enjoyed this video.
Thanks Derrick! I guess in 1975 the only way to get to Pine Ridge Trail was coming up Citico Creek Rd. from Vonroe.
The Citico Creek Wilderness Pine Ridge - Rocky Flats Loop hike seems like a serene and adventurous journey. 10:22 New Friend Here!
Yes it is! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing, Bryan. Another enjoyable trip to watch and it definitely motivates me to get back out there. I have my first long trail trip of the year coming up in a couple of weeks and I’m sure chomping at the bit to get moving.
Thanks tangenttrails! Hope you enjoy your first long backpack of 2024.
Nice winter hike, I kept watching those rhodo leaves to see if they were curling up like a pencil especially early in the morning. They will when the temps get in the low teens or single digits. What a treat to wake up to snow on your outing! Thanks for displaying the route, looks like good one with part of the path in the route finding mode. Always enjoy your fine videos. Greetings from KY. 😁
Thanks Mark! Actually the rhodo leaves start curling at 32 degrees. Waking up to snow was unexpected.
Really nice video, Bryan....looked like a great outing. Big thumbs up!
Thank you very much!
Thanks for taking us on this winter adventure. No need to worry about "overuse" issues...exposed roots etc on these trails...ha...ha. Thanks for showing us the set up on your tarp over tarp extension. Is it ever too cold to use your gravity feed water filter?
Thank you Caroline! I'm not sure what temperature flowing water during gravity feed would freeze. I'd think below 15 degrees is getting into dangerous territory. If it's below freezing I try to remove the filter as soon as the clean water bladder is full and shake all the water out of the filter and put it in my pocket or put it in a very small stuff sack and hang that around my neck under my jacket.
Great trip Bryan! You sure had a variety of weather! I think I might pack it in if I got snowed on, but then again, it would be so quiet and peaceful, I'm sure I'd love it. You had some great camp spots and nice campfires. Whew, lots of blow downs and a few challenges of water and bush whacking. Thanks for showing the maps, it helps me to follow along since I don't know the area. I hope it's not too long before I get my first overnight of the year. We've still got cold temps with rain, wind and snow in the higher elevations. Hopefully in a few weeks it'll start to warm up.
Great that you got to finish up with some sunshine even though it got cold. Thanks for sharing the Citico Creek Wilderness with us! - Jen
Thanks Jennifer! Only once have I bailed because of snow. It was in the late 1990's and we were doing a 40 mile loop and it snowed about two feet. Our hiking pace in the snow was so slow that we couldn't complete the loop in our allotted time frame, so at a road crossing we hitched back to our car. You are right it is very beautiful and peaceful to wake up to snow. Hope you get in a backpack in the next few weeks.
I always enjoy your videos from this area. It was cool to see your shelter set up in more detail!
Thanks OutdoorOperator! The additional tarp is a custom made 5' X 5' silpoly tarp that weighs 3.6 oz and no additional stakes are required and no additional cords are required since I'm using cords carried to use with the Duomid during high winds.
@@BryanDeLay Very cool! Nice to have that option if there is rain in the forecast.
I love your videos. They are very well edited and produced. I appreciate your emphasis on the beauty of backpacking rather than how-to's and gear reviews. I did a 4 day trip to Big Frog last year and loved it. I'm planning another 4 day trip in a few weeks to Joyce Kilmer. What's your favorite backpacking wilderness in that GA/NC/TN area?
Think you very much! My goal is to show the look and feel of the trail. Citico Creek is my favorite because it's close to home not very crowded.
Great video Brian. Were you expecting the rain/snow? Looks like you must have been with that tarp extension rigged up.
Thanks Kit! I was expecting rain, but not snow. The rain was forecast to clear out before the cold front arrived, but the mountains must have stalled the precipition . In fact it was still snowing and sleeting in the morning.
Hey Bryan. Awesome video. I’ve planned a loop very similar, except we’d head down Mill Branch. Crowder trail must have gotten upset with the trail maintenance a year ago and took it back!!! Guess I’ll just keep the love hate relationship with that trail. Also, looks like you create a trailstarMid out of that Duo.
Thanks Dean! Yea, some new blow downs in the upper part of Crowder Branch Trail negated the last trail maintenance. The small gray tarp is a 5' X 5' silpoly tarp that weighs 3.6 oz and the addition is really nice when it's raining.
Timing could not have been better, headed back to the Citico Creek area again in early April. You got your snow on this hike! Gettin' worried though Bryan, I heard somebody say the first sign of getting old is losing your telekinesis skills 😜
Early April sounds great. I'll have to have my GoPro remind to do the telekinesis trick again.
🤣🤣You might want to trade up on that GoPro 😜@@BryanDeLay
❤❤👍👍👌👌✌✌😊😊
Thanks bolleolympus!
Bryan how far up the Rocky Flats Trail from Double Camp to the chimney ? I've walked a little ways up Rocky Flats but not far enough. Like to see the chimney. Who needs a trail guide when they've got Bryan ? Thanks
Its only about a mile to the chimney. Most of it's climbing then a descent to the chimney. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Hi Bryan.
Thanks AGAIN, for such a nice and enjoyable video!
Comments:
1. It appears the trails were not marked. I assume the intersections were signed.
2. Question: What brand and kind of shoes do you typically use?
I appreciate your videos, and always look forward to more (especially in the Smokies, Tennessee, etc.)
God Bless!
Thank you very much Ken! The trail intersections are marked with the 4X4 posts shown in the video, although there are some regular signs in Citico Creek Wilderness. Sometimes the 4X4 posts are difficult to read because bears like to chew on the treated lumber.
For the last three years I've been wearing during the winter Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX shoes here: www.rei.com/product/209607/altra-olympus-5-hike-low-gtx-hiking-shoes-mens. During warmer months I've been wearing Altra Olympus 5 Trail Running shoes here: www.rei.com/product/209551/altra-olympus-5-trail-running-shoes-mens.