Epic Trek 2017: Update

[Perry Cuskey 272]

Sorry for the long delay, everyone. Here's the information for our upcoming Lew Wallace hike with historian Tim Smith (Please note - if you plan on joining us, please post a reply here, or send me a PM or an email, so we can get an idea of how many to expect. Thanks.) -

Date - Saturday, November 11th, 2017.

Starting time - 7:30 a.m.

Meeting place - Shiloh National Military Park visitors center parking lot. 

Price - $30 per person. (See below for payment information.)

This two-part hike will focus on Lew Wallace at Shiloh. The morning portion of the hike will cover Wallace's ill-fated April 6th march to the battlefield from the Crump's Landing/Adamsville area, and will be a combination of driving and walking. We'll meet at the visitors center parking lot, get everyone paid and checked in, then carpool out to our starting point at Crump's Landing. 

From there we'll be stopping at various locations to cover on foot some of the actual route that Wallace and his men took in 1862, including areas that are not usually accessible to the public. Tim is one of the few people to re-trace the route in its entirety, and will have some great insights about this controversial march. 

We'll end this part of the hike back at the visitors center parking lot, where lunch will be provided once again courtesy of Mona. You might consider bringing along a fold-up chair of some sort that you could leave in your car, unless you're okay with eating while sitting on the ground or on a curb.  

The afternoon part of the hike will re-trace Wallace's division in their advance across the western portion of the battlefield on April 7th, as they continually outflanked the Confederates and forced them back, in conjunction with the rest of the combined Union armies. Though lacking the same level of attention as the April 6th march, there is still some controversy surrounding Wallace's April 7th advance, and we'll be delving into that as we cross this section of the battlefield.

We will probably end this hike in the vicinity of the church, so we'll make arrangements to carpool back to the visitors center from there. We'll plan on ending around 5:00, although it may be somewhat earlier or later than that. (Last year's Fort Donelson hike ended early, and we all remember the flashlights from 2012.)  

As is normally the case, this two-part hike will cover quite a bit of ground, but will also include less walking compared to our previous hikes. We will likely be traversing Tilghman Branch Ravine during the afternoon hike, the second-largest ravine in the park, but overall, this hike probably won't be on the same "strenuous scale" as some of our previous outings. (Like say, the Chalmers hike.)  On an easy-to-difficult scale, I'd probably classify it as moderate overall, with some moderate-to-difficult sections on the afternoon hike. But it will certainly hit the mark on the "great learning experience" scale, and the "getting to see things most folks won't see" scale. 

I think we'll handle the payments the same way we did last year at Fort Donelson - so everyone just plan on paying on the morning of the hike. We don't take checks, but we do take cash.  Payment must be made prior to leaving the visitors center parking lot, and is non-refundable once the hike actually begins. 

I hope you can join us for what should be another great day of Epic Trekking with Tim at Shiloh. If you have any questions, feel free to post them here, or contact me via PM or email. Looking forward to seeing everyone in November.

Perry

[Transylvania 97]

I plan to attend and will lead a Not-So-Epic hike on November 12, covering the route of Trabue's Brigade on April 6.  The Not-So-Epic hike will be completed before noon (so those within moderate distance of the Shiloh National Military Park can join me and still return home on the Sunday, the12th).

For what it is worth, I believe that the staff at the SNMP is importuning Dr Gentsch to lead a reprise of his April 7, 2017, hike comparing the First World War to the American Civil War.  This hike will be held on November 11, so if one is sufficiently schizophrenic, one can attend both excursions.

[YEKCIM 20]

Two, three, or possibly four, coming from The Alabama Brigade.  Can't wait!

[Mike 5]

I plan to attend!

[Perry Cuskey 272]

Look forward to seeing you guys there. 

[mona 206]

i will need a head count closer to the date...cant wait!

 

[Mike 5]

Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in the Corinth area?  Every other time I have overnighted in that part of the world my lodgings were made of canvas.

(Moderators, feel free to move this post if it needs to be under a different topic.)

[Transylvania 97]

On 9/1/2017 at 5:31 PM, Mike said:

Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in the Corinth area?  Every other time I have overnighted in that part of the world my lodgings were made of canvas.

(Moderators, feel free to move this post if it needs to be under a different topic.)

I have stayed at the Hampton Inn in Corinth several times.  It is a typical Hampton Inn - modern, clean, decent breakfast, free WiFi (of course, every property has that now).  The biggest downside, in my opinion, is the distance from Shiloh NMP - it takes about 45 minutes to drive from one place to another.  Savannah, TN, is considerably closer, although the lodging is not as nice.

[mona 206]

you might want to consider staying in savannah...i hope others will give an opinion---as after that hike you might not want to drive that far..

 

[Mike 5]

Thanks y'all...I had not even considered Savannah. 

[YEKCIM 20]

There is also a Hampton Inn at Pickwick State Park, which is about 12 miles from Shiloh.

[Mike 5]

It looks like many of the motels in Savannah and Pickwick are already booked up for that weekend.

I never realized these tours were so popular. 🙂

[mona 206]

its also veterans day and there are several activities planned in hardin co. have you checked pickwick state park lodge?

[Mike 5]

I have made reservations at a motel in Savannah, thanks. I'm really looking forward to this.

[mona 206]

i know its 2 months from now...but if any hikers have any special lunch needs let me know...

[WI16thJim 233]

Mona, "special lunch needs" Lobster? King crab legs? Beer?

[mona 206]

you know what i mean...i dont think you can have adult beverages there. i can get you a can of tuna 

 

[svedra 7]

Put me down for two.  Steve and Amy.

[Mark Weber 0]

I will attend. Mark.

[TimJeffers 20]

Count me in (1).

Tim

[Perry Cuskey 272]

Got all of you marked down, so thanks. Look forward to seeing you in November. 

Also, if anyone else is having problems getting a hotel room near the park or looking for an alternative, you might look into AirBnB as an option, if you don't mind staying in a private residence. There were several options available near both Savannah and Corinth last time I checked, although it's been a little while now. The price ranges were also pretty varied, ranging from not bad to I don't think so. 

Perry

[Student of Sherman 69]

You all have fun! 

-Paul

[Michele 49]

On 9/4/2017 at 1:16 PM, Mike said:

I have made reservations at a motel in Savannah, thanks. I'm really looking forward to this.

Mike, which hotel . . . if you don't mind me asking.

[mtalplacido 35]

I have made my reservations and will be there.  Perry, please make sure the weather will be good AND most important.....good fall colors for my camera.  I hear that its supposed to be a good year for colors, lets hope so.

[Mike 5]

On 9/24/2017 at 9:38 PM, Michele said:

Mike, which hotel . . . if you don't mind me asking.

Michelle, I found a room at the Savannah Motel.