Laurel-Snow Falls

Last weekend (March 19th & 20th of 2011), we did another overnight backpacking trip.  This time it was to Laurel-Snow Falls outside of Chattanooga in Dayton, TN. 

The hike to the falls was almost too good to be true for the first 2 miles.  It was a beautiful walk beside Richland Creek.  Then as it progressed and you had to get up to the falls, it got increasingly difficult.  The main thing keeping me going was my heart rate monitor watch, which was calculating my calories.

We honestly felt like there was NO ONE around us, which was nice and scary at the same time.  You do have to register with the state of TN to let them know you will be sleeping there overnight, so that made me feel a little better.  Also, being the paranoid person I am, we left a piece of paper with details on it for my mom.

Here's a really detailed website where we got a lot of information: http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/laurel-snow.html

This time we were a lot more prepared.  Differences between this trip and Virgin Falls:

• Jeremy got a machete so we could have firewood
• MSR Water Filtration bag which allowed for plenty of water
• New sleeping pads, we still may be in the market to find better ones though
• Sitting pads for the campfire
• Hot cocoa (FYI - Starbucks hot cocoa packets are WAY too sweet, next time we will split one and water it down)
• This time I had better clothing.  Moisture wicking shirt and pants that convert to shorts.
• We actually had a camp stove that worked like a champ! MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove