Join us for our next campout meeting!
SPECIAL NOTE: THIS CAMPOUT COST $5 PER PERSON. PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING $5 AS WE WILL PASS THE HAT AT THE MEETING TO COLLECT THE FEE
. This is to help with upkeep and keep the bathrooms in repair.
Cavers Paradise
is a Caver owned and operated (by Maureen Handler) campground situated in the heart of TAG, and is thus centrally located for caving anywhere in the area. It features Hot showers, flush toilets, wood-fired hot tub, and RV hookups at many level campsites. It is located on top of Monteagle Mountain, and is usually several degrees cooler than the valley floor.
We will have a potluck, and we ask that people be masked while getting food at the potluck. If you feel sick at all or have been in contact with someone who is sick, please stay at home. The landowner prefers that everyone be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask.
The potluck will take place at 7:00 pm eastern with the meeting and presentation taking place at 8:00 pm eastern.
Presentation:
"Dirty Dave" McRae will be presenting on lighting systems for cave photography, for the meeting's feature presentation.
Dave is known & beloved by the entire community, and his presentations are enthralling. Don't miss out!
Also: The meeting will be recorded, and posted to the DCG YouTube channel afterwards. If you wish to stay off-camera, inform Joe Brown, and seating will be found in a no-camera zone.
Stuff to do:
Hiking: Close by is the hiking trail to
Sewanee Natural Bridge Also close is the
Lost Cove / Buggytop Cave hiking area. The caves will be open May 1, but you will need to get a permit to enter any of the caves by contacting the South Cumberland State Park for details, but the hike is awesome either way.
Russell Cave National Monument is also nearby, with an interesting trail and museum, but you cant explore the cave.
The DCG Library is also very close to Russell, if you want to visit, be sure to make arrangements with Andy Zellner first.
Offroading: ATV Riders can access the
Franklin State Forest trails, an extensive offroad area suitable for ATV's SxS and Motorcylces (trails are too narrow for jeeps) Please TRAILER YOUR ATV to the
parking area, about 3 miles away. Please dont ride your ATV in camp!!! There are also a few private offroading areas nearby.
Caving: There are several caves within walking distance of Caver's Paradise: Hang M Hi, For few mi more and others (on state land, no permission req'd). These are more advanced caves, but the HMH entrance is a nice drop. Sherwd Mtn Pot is an 80' pit that is close, and right by the road (no permission req'd). Cedr Rdg. Crystal is a very easy, well decorated visit (Gated, must arrange for key) Hrrmit and Bible Spg are not far away horizontal caves (no permission req'd), and also Cagles Csm (199' Pit) (no permission req'd) and S. Pittsburg Pit (160' Pit - Scci permit req'd) are also a short drive away, as are many many others.
Paddling:
A short paddle to view the Batflight at Nickjack Cave at Dusk each night is easily arranged - be aware that doing this on Saturday, you may miss the meeting!
So, lots to enjoy! We'll see you there!