Donely Cabin – Tennessee
Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/23/2018 - 12/26/2018
Categories
Join us for a Holiday Off the Grid Get-A-Way: Donley Cabin is a primitive and historic structure in the heart of the Cherokee National Forest, offering visitors a glimpse of the past. The cabin does not have electricity, running water or locks on the door. Guests should be aware that visitors often frequent the cabin during tours of the area. It predates the Civil War and is among the oldest cabins available for rental in the Forest Service system. Guests should be aware that other visitors often frequent the area.
The cabin offers access to a variety of recreational activities, including numerous trails and streams. Visitors must walk a quarter-mile from the parking area, along a slight grade and over a bridge on the North River, to the cabin. All equipment must be carried in. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring many of their own amenities.
We will all meet at the Cherohala Skyway Visitors Center Sunday December 23rd at approximately 1:00 PM. The Visitors Center should be open. The Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center is open Mon. - Sun. from 9 AM to 5 PM. This will be a good place to take a bathroom break. At that time, we can carpool with each other so that cars at the Cabin are at a minimum. The parking is limited.
Once at the Cabin (it will be at least a hour drive to the cabin) we will carry our gear the quarter mile from the parking area to the cabin. Pack smart, and pack light. We will have to make 2-3 trips.
Each night we will have a campfire, and a fire inside the cabin. We will all eat together at the picnic table that will be on the property. There is chairs and a covered porch in case it is raining.
On Christmas Day, we will cook a huge breakfast and have a feast for Kings and Queens.
We will all make decisions together as to where to go hiking or sight seeing.
On December 26th (after coffee) we will leisurely start packing up and try to be out of the cabin by 1:00 PM.
Items to bring:
- Sleeping Bag and sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Appropriate Clothing (including rain jacket)
- Hiking Shoes or Boots
- Meals including breakfast, snacks, and dinner
- Cooking utensils and plates
- Camping Gear (if you are camping in a tent)
If you have other questions, please post below.
The one-room cabin contains a full-size metal bed and two bunk beds that can accommodate up to six people. All beds have bed frames but NO mattresses There are hiking trails and fishing streams in close proximity to the cabin. The nearby Sycamore Creek Trail is a short drive north on Tellico River Road. The 2-mile trail starts near a picnic area and a fish hatchery and follows an old logging road and railroad bed along Sycamore Creek.
The Big Cove Branch, a tributary to the North River that contains two distinctive waterfalls and trout-fishing opportunities, is also not far from the cabin. Hunting is also a popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the area from September through December. Hunters and their dogs may frequent the nearby trails during that time.
Facilities:
The one-room cabin contains a full-size metal bed and two bunk beds that can accommodate up to six people. There is a rustic fireplace, kitchen table and chairs as well as rocking chairs available to sit on the cabin's front porch. An outhouse with a vault toilet, campfire ring and grill are available outside the cabin.
Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as lanterns or flashlights, bedding, towels, cooking and eating gear, food, garbage bags, toilet paper and other necessities. Firewood that is dead and down may be obtained from the surrounding forest.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.
