John Rock Hang 2022?

[Phantom Grappler]

I am going to John Rock, next to last weekend of July 2022 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 21 22 23 24
Currently we have no host.
I’m not hosting.
With no host, we might not have dry split firewood hiked up 1.2 mile to Enchanted Forest.
We might not have Big Blue tarp.
We might not have traditional hot dog and bodacious chili supper Saturday evening.

The paved parking lot is now a gravel parking lot, and Fish Hatchery building is closed and off limits.

The first foot bridge was washed away in last years flood, and has not been replaced. Either wade across creek or precariously balance on a few logs and sticks other hikers have placed across creek.
The next three foot bridges are mostly intact and usable.

Our bear, that caused last years hang to be abruptly abandoned, that Saturday morning after an all night bear marauding—is still raiding campsites—only now our bear is a year older, a hundred pounds heavier, almost full grown.

If we had four or more large dogs, we would be much safer. Most bears can kill a dog, but have been chased or run by dog packs; and will avoid a dog pack and go somewhere else.

There is a good flowing creek at Enchanted Forest campsite. Lots of good trees for hammocks—watch out for dead trees, there are a few there.

I imagine there will be some who decide to go to John Rock and many who decide not to go.

Good directions to parking lot, are available in first post of last year’s hang (2021). If first time hiking to Enchanted Forest. Using a good paper map or phone app trail map downloaded before you arrive (no cell service there, but your phone app trail map should work, I use AllTrailsPro). Cat Gap Loop Trail has two entrances from parking lot. Use entrance nearest to now closed Fish Hatchery building. Travel in a counter clockwise direction on the trail. You can get to Enchanted Forest going the wrong way, it just takes longer—don’t ask me how I know hahaha Lol

I’m going!
Many thanks to PappyAmos for using his teleportation abilities, to see what it is in real time!
Bear intel report courtesy of TallPaul with his remote viewing powers. Forewarned is forearmed! Thank you TallPaul, PappyAmos and Possum Daddy!

Each hammock camper is responsible for their own safety, food (vittles) and coffee!
Lies will be supplied free of charge for all gullible hammock campers and Noobs!

[tom_tom]

Lol make sure bear cans or ur sacks are in use this year lesson learned last year

[Twistytee]

Lol make sure bear cans or ur sacks are in use this year lesson learned last year

good point Tom Tom - and we found out Yogi likes chilled beer in the stream so remember to secure those too…

[tom_tom]

Yep and root beers also

[peeeeetey]

Let's do this later in the year, maybe after bear season opens...I have bear removal equipment as long as that area is not a sanctuary. Never tried bear meat but hear that is good. Stew? Plus it is cooler at that time of the year! Beer will be REALLY cold in that creek that time of the year.

[Phantom Grappler]

Peeeeetey, Bear Beer, we can’t go wrong.
How bout, next to last weekend of July 2022
Then if we get back, gear and all of us alive. Post another hang further along towards cooler weather.

Peeeeetey, if you post it, then you can be sure you’re off that weekend.
You can post it without host it….the ghost hang!

[tom_tom]

I’m looking forward to tryna making this hang.I’m prepared this year

[gunner76]

After last John Rock Hang I bought a Bear canister and a big bottle of pepper spray...

The pepper spray got me thinking,,,, have any pepper heads / hot sauce lovers tried using bear spray to spice up their food ???

[tom_tom]

You and me both on the bear cans gunner

[PappyAmos]

So... my first hand report.
Parking lot now gravel but the curbs are still there.
Building and hatchery closed and surrounded by a chain link fence.
First little stream at the beginning of the trail is a sandy bank now - no problem.
10 min in the nice, wide bridge over John Rock Creek is totally gone. About 15 feet wide, plan for wet feet. This could be a problem if it has been raining.
Most of the way up, there has been a landslide above the trail near Loki's Rest. Trail totally cleared.
3 log bridge over the waterfall intact- looks just like last year.
There was essentially no mud through the rhododendron passage. Must have been very little rain recently.
Log bridge at the enchanted forest- 2 of the 3 logs and the handrail still usable.
Camping area clear. A lot of grass has grown starting half way up. Don't think a lot of people have camped there this spring.
Several hikers coming clockwise on the trail said everything was fine up to and past John Rock.

Hope this info is useful.