Help with Chattooga River Trail!!!

[Str1der]

I'm planning a trip to hike the CRT this weekend, and I'm a little unsure of the frequency of campsites. I've hiked north from Burrells Ford to Ellicott many times, but I've never been south of there. Are campsites as frequent as they are on the northern section?

Based on my estimations, we will end up camping the first night a mile or two south of the Burrells Ford Campground, probably a little short of the junction with the Big Bend Trail. The second campsite will probably be somewhere between Earls Ford and Russell Bridge in the Long Bottom.

Are there campsites in those areas? Much appreciated!

[carolinasbackpacker]

you will have no problems finding spots to camp. there are more than enough. there is a really cool one between pigpen/licklog falls and Russel Bridge with a rope swing. But there are many sites along through there and it's a rather easy hike. Have a good time

CB

[Str1der]

Thanks for the advice!

Has anyone ever parked at that lot near the intersection of the Bartram Trail and the CRT on Sandy Ford Road? I think we will be staging a car there, but I was wondering how big the stream is that the road fords. Do you think a 6cyl. 2WD Toyota Tacoma could cross? The books gave the impression that it was little more than a trickle, but that it can sometimes be a decent sized creek after a rain.

[carolinasbackpacker]

I have never driven down sandy Ford rd so I could not answer that question for ya. I have been down Nicholson Ford road and there are two streams crossing it and I have seen all manner of cars cross them

[GvilleDave]

Ditto on Nicholson Ford Rd. I have crossed those streams in a honda accord before... I love the CRT you will have a great time.

[ShellD]

I've been down Sandy Ford Rd and don't recall it being that difficult. I was driving a F350 dually at the time but I don't think you'll have any trouble with your truck. As long as we don't have any major floods. If you're hiking south on the CRT, there is a really nice campsite a mile or so before you get to ****'s Creek Falls and Sandy Ford Rd. Not sure what your itinerary is but it would be great spot to camp for the evening.

[Str1der]

Thanks to all for your advice. I'm really looking forward to the trip! We'll be heading south from Burrells Ford and finishing at Sandy Ford, so I'll be staging my truck there ahead of time.