Portsway : Even with all the crowds, I'll isolate you. Go off the second Mountain Parkway exit and come in past the old Dessie Spangler Children's Home and the Rock Bridge Road junction. Now you're heading toward Sky Bridge. On your left pull off at Parched Corn Creek Overlook. Unload. Across the road is the trailhead for Swift Camp Creek Trail. Take that trail out across the plateau, then gradually dropping down until you come to Swift Camp Creek. You will drop down to your right into a hole, then come out of that and descend an old set of steps to the creekside.
Take a few steps southward along the creek, take off your boots and socks, put on sandals or river shoes, and wade Swift Camp Creek. You are now in the Clifty Creek Wilderness.
Behold a beautiful ledge following along the creek. Pitch camp there. You really aren't very far from the road, but most people won't wade the creek, so you're all alone. You may see an occasional hiker on the west side trail, but they won't come across. And if you want more privacy, just walk south along the ledge until the west side trail leaves the creek to climb the shoulder of Wildcat Ridge. The foliage then cuts off their view of you.
If it's hot, there are several places where the creek deepens enough for swimming.
Hoist your food at night. Black bear will come snooping through your campsite.
The screeching cries in the middle of the night are wildcats on the hunt.
Find a soft mud edge to the stream and you'll find tracks of bear, wildcat, coon, possum, porcupine and fox.
Hike up the rise to the East, away from the stream, and you'll find yourself atop Calaboose Ridge.
Don't leave your hiking boots out at night. Coon and porcupine will gnaw on them to get the salt from your perspiration.
Report back to us on what kind of trip you had.
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Topic: RRG Camping (Read 2860 times)