Questions about the Appalachian Mountains (Unicoi, Watauga: real estate, homes, movies)

[mouskie64]

Hello,

Are there still places left in the Tennessee Appalachian Mountains where it is remote & people can camp off by themselves?

We see mountains in the background of many pictures online,some in real estate listings.Do people actually own any of those mountains?We want to know so we don't tresspass.Thanks!

[jabogitlu]

A vast majority of the Appalachians (down here) are wilderness, owned by the Forest Service, the states of TN and NC and in a few cases by private entities like The Conservation Fund. Not sure about specific rules with camping etc. As far as I know you can camp/fish/hunt, in season, anywhere on public lands. As for figuring out who owns them, that's probably not as easy to determine. Get a good map? lol.

[Jim Mac]

Have you seen the movies "Deliverance" and "Wrong Turn", LOL ?

[2mares]

We see mountains in the background of many pictures online,some in real estate listings.Do people actually own any of those mountains?We want to know so we don't tresspass.Thanks!

Yes, someone owns them. Once you drive into those mountains you will most likely encounter homes and no tresspass signs. Here in mid TN most of the "wilderness" is owned now. Over the years areas like you described have greatly declined. Stick to the state parks.

[jkmewright]

Mouskie, if you want remote camping and some serious hiking try the Cohutta Wilderness in N Georgia. It's OUT there. Its part of the Conasauga River Trails and close to Bald Mountain. It's especially wonderful in the warmer months when you can pop a 6 pack in the creek and retrieve it on your way out. The Tearbritches trail is a doozy and not for the beginner so beware. And don't bother taking your shoes off for crossings, after the 5th or 6th or 30th time, FORGET it lol If you love to hike this is the one for you. Another is the Savage Gulf area. Another great hike! This one is along the plateau to a rustic cabin. About 10 miles or so but not strenous. Just wear proper footwear so you don't lose your toenails.

Tearbritches Trail/Conasauga River Trail link:
Atlanta, GA: Conasauga River Trail | Hiking in Georgia

Savage Gulf link:
Hiking Tips Camping Backpacking Information South Cumberland State Park

[jkmewright]

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

Have you seen the movies "Deliverance" and "Wrong Turn", LOL ?

LOL Just got a shirt for Christmas the says "Paddle faster! I hear bajos!"

[kamoshika]

Most of the mountains in NE Tenn. are within Cherokee National Forest, of which about 293,000 acres are in Northeast Tennessee (Watauga, Nolichucky, and Unaka ranger districts). Unless specifically posted as being prohibited, camping is allowed pretty much anywhere in the national forest you'd like to pitch a tent as long you don't stay in one place for more than 2 weeks.

CNF Camping and Camping Rules

Sherpa Guides | Tennessee | The Tennessee Mountains | Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest

Sherpa Guides | Tennessee | The Tennessee Mountains | Upper Unaka Mountains | Nolichucky/Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest

Maps showing automobile-accessible forest service roads:
Cherokee National Forest - Motor Vehicle Use Map

Some good guidelines for dispersed camping:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/r...sed/index.html

CNF acreage by county (NE Tenn. only):
Carter 86,363
Unicoi 57,353
Johnson 52,604
Greene 40,805
Sullivan 37,430
Washington 16,400

[JoAnn5]

I was going to recommend the Savage Gulf area. The Fiery Gizzard trail is awesome.

[mouskie64]

Originally Posted by kamoshika

Most of the mountains in NE Tenn. are within Cherokee National Forest, of which about 293,000 acres are in Northeast Tennessee (Watauga, Nolichucky, and Unaka ranger districts). Unless specifically posted as being prohibited, camping is allowed pretty much anywhere in the national forest you'd like to pitch a tent as long you don't stay in one place for more than 2 weeks.

CNF Camping and Camping Rules

Sherpa Guides | Tennessee | The Tennessee Mountains | Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest

Sherpa Guides | Tennessee | The Tennessee Mountains | Upper Unaka Mountains | Nolichucky/Unaka Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest

Maps showing automobile-accessible forest service roads:
Cherokee National Forest - Motor Vehicle Use Map

Some good guidelines for dispersed camping:
Willamette National Forest - Dispersed Camping

CNF acreage by county (NE Tenn. only):
Carter 86,363
Unicoi 57,353
Johnson 52,604
Greene 40,805
Sullivan 37,430
Washington 16,400

Awesome!Thanks Alot for these links!

[mouskie64]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

Mouskie, if you want remote camping and some serious hiking try the Cohutta Wilderness in N Georgia. It's OUT there. Its part of the Conasauga River Trails and close to Bald Mountain. It's especially wonderful in the warmer months when you can pop a 6 pack in the creek and retrieve it on your way out. The Tearbritches trail is a doozy and not for the beginner so beware. And don't bother taking your shoes off for crossings, after the 5th or 6th or 30th time, FORGET it lol If you love to hike this is the one for you. Another is the Savage Gulf area. Another great hike! This one is along the plateau to a rustic cabin. About 10 miles or so but not strenous. Just wear proper footwear so you don't lose your toenails.

Tearbritches Trail/Conasauga River Trail link:
Atlanta, GA: Conasauga River Trail | Hiking in Georgia

Savage Gulf link:
Hiking Tips Camping Backpacking Information South Cumberland State Park

This sounds like fun!Yea,thanks for the toenail advice too,we'd like to try to keep'em!