1st Backpacking Trip

[CharlieTN]

I had the chance on 5/7-8 to do my first ever overnight backpacking trip. It was a solo on the Piney River Trail which is slated to be part of the Cumberland Trail System here in Tennessee. I started on the southern end of the trail which is the highest point and worked my way down in elevation.

The trail is roughly 8.4 miles with the campsite at mile 4.4. The weather was absolutely perfect with a high of 74 and low of 54. The trail starts on Newby Branch and follows it until it feeds into Duskin Creek, following it until it feeds into the Piney River. The trail continues to follow the Piney River until it crosses at the Piney River Bridge. There the trail takes you up the side of the mountain a bit and keeps you there until it drops back down at the trailhead at Piney River Park.

Here are a few photos of the beautiful streams and river that it follows along with my hammock setup.

Hammock setup:
ENO Doublenest (my gateway hammock because I didn’t know any better) with Whoopi’s, Dutch Buckles, and the Dyneema/Polypro straps.
Tarp is the Bushcraft Outfitters 10x10 which I already had. I like it but it’s heavy at 40 oz complete with suspension.
Underquilt is the Cost Down Throw in the Gemini configuration.
Sleeping bag is the REI Siesta 30 which is way too big and will get exchanged for a proper top quilt soon.
Bugnet is a diy project that worked good.

Hope you all enjoy the pics. If you have the chance to try this trail, it is well worth it.

[Ohoopee]

My first backpack at four miles up a mountain almost killed me! 52 yr's old, was out of shape and wrong gear. Probably could have slept on rock comfortably)). Congrats!!

[CharlieTN]

My first backpack at four miles up a mountain almost killed me! 52 yr's old, was out of shape and wrong gear. Probably could have slept on rock comfortably)). Congrats!!

Oh, when I got up the first morning home I could hardly move my legs. It certainly pushed me. My pack was 32 lbs (quickly working on reducing that some). I was smart and started on top of the mountain and worked my way down. The other thing that helped immensely was a set of trekking poles. They saved my knees, especially on the sections of the trail that looked like the rocky picture I attached.

[kac1269]

Beautiful area!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[TrailSlug]

Nice area and pretty pictures. I like that map. Where did you source that?

[Cabmanhang]

Looks like a good trip. Congrats on getting out in the woods. Thanks for sharing.

[Shug]

Pretty looking area.
Whoooooo Buddy)))))
Shug

[Trail Runner]

Congrats on a successful first trip and thanks for the photos.

[CharlieTN]

Nice area and pretty pictures. I like that map. Where did you source that?

The Friends of The Cumberland Trail group had it on their website. Pretty handy for sure.

[Vanhalo]

That trail is an hour away from me. I will have to put it on my list.