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Our annual Camp Ocoee trip is primarily a hiking weekend, and provides a great opportunity to relax and socialize off the bike. A good way to get to know some HBC'rs if you are new to the club!
Camp Ocoee - 1st weekend in November - Nov 7-9, 2008
Fall means more "off the bike" activities, including our annual trip to Camp Ocoee!
Camp Ocoee's setting is remarkably picturesque, on the water's edge of Parksville Lake (a.k.a. Lake Ocoee) in the southeast portion of the Cherokee National Forest. You will spend the weekend doing a variety of outdoor activities, with options including hiking, biking, mountain biking, white water rafting, canoeing, or you may choose to just hang out on the deck overlooking the lake, taking it easy. We typically enjoy a campfire in the evenings and various fun activities spurred on by our diverse group.
We will be staying in the Wasson Lodge, and have 2 cabins reserved as overflow. Cost for the weekend is $65, which includes 2 nights lodging, 3 meals on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Everyone is expected to share the kitchen duties! (White water rafting is an optional activity at an additional cost.)
Activities:
Hiking -- We have a trail book for the Cherokee National Forest, so we're sure to find some good hikes.
Mtn Biking -- This is an excellent area for mountain biking, with several great trails close by. Trail info is available on the Chattanooga bike club site or SORBA Chilhowee and Tanasi -- click on the topo link down the right side.
Road biking -- Anyone?? I don't know if there are any good biking roads near camp, so if you want to ride, please do some research. The Nantahala Challenge is Saturday, and the start is 80 miles from camp for any die-hard roadies.
Rafting -- This is the LAST weekend on the Ocoee water release schedule, which means it may be tough to find an outfitter to take us. If you REALLY want to go, we'll have to track down an outfitter and will undoubtedly need to fill a raft to go.
Canoeing -- Several canoes are provided for us to use on the lake at the lodge.
Arrival-- We are approved to arrive at Camp at noon local time (Eastern) on Friday.
**Please note that dogs are not allowed.
Friday night-- We'll all be arriving at different times on Friday, so we're not coordinating a group meal. There are "park" style charcoal grills at the camp, of course stoves in the lodge & cabins, and there's always the campfire. If anyone wants to make a pot of chili or soup, send out an email and I'm sure you'll find people to join in! OR.... there is a "Gondolier" restaurant not far from the turnoff to camp (on Hwy 64) -- I believe it's just past it, but it could be just before. FYI, there is also a gas station / convenience store on Hwy 64 1 mile past the turnoff to camp.
Sleeping arrangements-- First come, first served. Choose your bed when you arrive. We have a variety of beds....doubles, twins, and bunks. If you're "traveling solo", please don't take a double -- you WILL get tossed! The room at the top of the stairs with 2 bunks and 1 twin will be the girls' only room; the room downstairs with 2 twins and 1 bunk will be the boys' only room (but you don't HAVE to sleep there). There will be some solos sleeping in rooms with couples, so eveyone, please be accomodating! NO ONE is guaranteed a "private" room. Which reminds me of a traveling tip....earplugs....always a good idea!
Things to bring....
pillow
bed linens (sheets & blankets) or a sleeping bag
towels
camp chair
head lamp / flashlight
marshmallow sticks
earplugs
dinner for Friday night
BYOB
cooler with ICE (to hold those drinks...we'll need the fridge space for the food!)
hiking boots
Carpooling -- TBD
Directions to Camp
- YMCA Camp Ocoee is approximately a 45 minute drive from downtown Chattanooga.
- From Chattanooga, take I-24 East toward Knoxville/Atlanta
- Take I-75 North toward Knoxville
- Take the first Cleveland exit (exit 20)- Highway 64 By-pass
- Turn right off of exit toward Cherokee National Forest
- Travel approximately 7 miles
- Take Highway 64 EAST to Ocoee River/Cherokee National Forest toward Murphy, North Carolina.
- Travel approximately 8 miles
- Highway 64 will go from a 4 lane to 2 lane highway just after Highway 411 junction
- Keep traveling on Highway 64 for 2 miles
- At the "Camp Ocoee" sign, turn RIGHT onto Cookson Creek Road at gas station ("Cherokee Corners") and the "Dam Deli"
- Travel on Cookson Creek Road for approximately 4 miles. This is a very curvy road.
- YMCA Camp Ocoee Main entrance will be on the left
- Pass the 1st entrance and take the 2ND entrance ; We are in the Wasson Lodge.
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