Attendance, Jordan Lake Camp-out as of 05/19/05

2 - McCord,     party of 2, for both nights
3 - Nuttall,    party of 3 for both nights
2 - Morris,     party of 2 for both nights
2 - Whitley,    party of 2 for both nights
2 - Bennett,    party of 2 for both nights
2 - Cook,       party of 2, possibly for both nights
2 - Millward,   party of 2 for both nights
2 - Swearingen, party of two, Saturday night 
2 - Reynolds,   party of 2, Saturday night
2 - Case,       party of 2, Saturday night
2 - Dameron,    party of 2, Saturday night
3 - Stewart,    party of 3, Saturday night
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Since this is an "out-back" area of the lake, many of you, who may be familiar with Jordan Lake, may not be familiar with this great area.  From Raleigh it is actually easier to access than other parts of the lake.  Please pay close attention to the driving directions as you must pass an exit or two labeled "Jordan Lake" before arriving at exit #81, off of US1.  Note: you do NOT take US 64 West, but stay on US 1 South.

On the Saturday before Mother's day the Trail Boss and a couple of adventurous Bears gave Mom some "time alone" and executed a reconnaissance mission to this primitive area.  We found that while the camping area is labeled "primitive", it would take a broad definition of  "primitive" to include this campground.  The New Hope Overlook campground is quite similar to Falls Lake "Shinleaf" campground we visited in the fall.  The bathroom, located near camp-site #3, was nice and clean (and unlocked) with a potable water spigot just outside.   The "foot-trail" into the campsites is actually a well graveled road with blocks at the top to exclude vehicles.  The trail has a downhill grade (again, similar to Shinleaf) and the distance from the parking area to the furtherest site is only 3/5 of a mile, so this will not be an arduous trek.  For new members, you may want to bring a wagon, wheel barrow, hand truck, or other small wheeled device to ferry your gear to the site.  Note, the gravel on the path is large, so the bigger the wheels on your wagon or conveyance, the less impact.  See our gear check list pages for what to bring:

1. What to Bring
2. Checklist

We will be camping in Area "A" , which has the best water access, and even a tiny beach area (no swimming allowed, but good for fishing).


Quiet hours are from 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., but this may be irrelevant if we are the only ones at the site.  Rules say: "All tents must be located on the gravel pad in a designated campsite".  However, it appears this is a general rule for all camp-sites at the lake rather than this specific one, because there seemed to be little evidence of a "gravel pad".  However, we are limited to six people per site (again as in Shinleaf).  The Trail Boss will be going down on the morning of Friday, May 20 to reserve campsites #7 & #8, and one or both of #9 or #5, depending on the response from the pack.

Scavenging wood is prohibited and although it is stated that "Firewood is available at the ticket booth or from rangers on duty", it is recommended that everyone bring a "stick or two".  

Friday or Saturday arrival must be prior to 9:00 P.M. and Saturday arrival must be after 8:00 A.M.  Check out time is 3:00 P.M. Sunday (plenty of time for fishing).

Campsites must be setup immediately upon completion of registration.  The campsite must be occupied each night for which it is rented.  Occupancy is defined as having at least one person and "primary" camping equipment, such as a tent, set up on the site.  Coolers, tarps, lawn chairs, etc. do not meet this requirement.  As a result, I will be looking for two other individuals to accompany me down on Friday morning.  Failing that, I will be looking for a few people to bring SIMPLE-TO-ERECT tents to the Thursday bridging ceremony so that we can take them down and set them up on Friday morning.

There is a 2.5 mi. hiking trail near the site, of which we will be availing ourselves as a pack.  One of the reasons we were referred to this area is that the reduced human traffic lends itself to seeing more wild-life.

There will be more information to come, including the "schedule of events".  Please check this page every few days for updated information.

Saturday Schedule:
Sun Rise: 5:33am
Sun Set: 8:11pm

The schedule for Saturday will follow, with one exception, our general Pack format of Breakfast, free time, Lunch (12:00-1:00), Den Time (1:00-200), Pack Hike (2:00), fishing or free time, dinner (6:00-7:30), fishing, free time or extended dinner (7:30-8:30), Pack fire and entertainment (8:30-9:30), quiet time. I am encouraging anyone with interest to bring telescopes.  If it is a clear night and we can arrange not to bother other campers, we can engage in star gazing.  The one deviation from our typical schedule will be that we are attempting to have a presentation by a Ranger on Saturday at 11:00 A.M, however this time may change, depending on Ranger availability.

 

Food: 

Standard procedure for Pack 334, unless specifically planned otherwise, is for everyone to provide food and cook their own meals.  As a Pack, we make a group stew on Sat. night (Please bring a can or two for the stew, nothing spicy for the sake of young stomachs).  The stew ensures that everyone gets an opportunity to have a hot and nutritious dinner, regardless of their camp cooking skills.    This leaves the cooking field wide open for creativity.  An individual den can plan a meal around their group, with different cub/Akela pairs having different responsibilities.  A particular individual or den can volunteer to cook something for the entire pack (breads, cakes, deserts, even a main course).  Of course an individual is always free to cook up a steak, hot dog, burger, etc., or just avail themselves of the stew.

Detailed Agenda:

Friday, May. 20, 2005:
      

           8:00-9:00 a.m.     Volunteers will arrive to claim campsites and setup tents.

           3:00 - 9:00 p.m.     Those who wish to camp Friday night are welcome to come down and set up camp.  Dinner will be on your own.  Weather permitting, we will try to set up a telescope or two.  Adults will practice yelling “No Running in Camp.”

            10:00 p.m.     Lights Out.

Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005:

10:30 a.m.    Saturday arrivals should plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to get organized.  

11:00 a.m.     Presentation by Park Ranger

12:00 p.m.    Lunches should be eaten and cleared by 1:00 p.m.

            1:00 p.m.      Den activities.

             2:00 p.m.     Pack hike       

             3:00 p.m.     Free time, fishing

             6:00 p.m.     Dinner   

             8:30 p.m.     Campfire activities

            10:00 p.m.     Lights Out.

Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005:

            8:00a.m.              Following breakfast, we will have a brief voluntary church service, then attendees have until 3:00 P.M. to break camp and depart.
 

TICK ALERT:
Bring and use insect repellent.
Plan clothing to minimize exposure.

FISHING:

• Persons under age 16 are exempt from the requirement of a basic fishing license.
• A resident may fish with natural bait in his county of residence without a basic fishing license (this area is NOT in Wake County). "Natural bait" is any bait which may be beneficially digested by fish. An individual must carry a form of identification that indicates the name and current address. This exemption does not apply to the special trout license.
• Licenses may be procured online at: http://www.wildlife.state.nc.us/fs_index_01_license.htm

Hiking Hazards :


Poison Sumac

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Standing Poison Ivy/Oak