Endangered Hostel

imported
#1

I’m posting this on TJ, because we need help from all the hikers. We need you to get involved! Rainbow Springs Campground/Hiker Hostel near Franklin, N.C. that was purchased two years ago is now up for sale. The owners are going to sell it or develop it if it hasn’t sold by the end of October. This hostel is only .9 of a mile from the trail at Wallace Gap.
Several of us have been in touch with the Little Tenn. Land Trust, (LTLT) to discuss the purchase and turning it into a non-profit which will be preserved for all time. It would continue to operate as a campground/hiker hostel indefinitely, and all the profits would be set aside for the conservation of land, trails, and rivers. The LTLT has shown interest in this and has given us an official letter of interest and is prepared to move forward.
Winton Porter of Mountain Crossing Outfitters at Neels Gap has just returned from the Backpack Show in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he contacted a number of Mfg. Reps regarding making tax-deductible contributions to the LTLT for this project. We are starting a grassroots movement here and are asking for the help of everyone that uses the hostels up and down the trails to please write or call the manufactures of the equipment that we buy and use and encourage them to get on board and make a tax-deductible donation to this project. All corporations have a budget set aside for this type of thing.
This is a win win situation for all of us. They get the tax deduction, we get to keep a hostel and the area around the trail will stay free of development. I for one would hate to see this place turned into condos or a housing subdivision.
Please see www.rainbowspringscampground.com for all related information and a list of manufacturers to contact.
Thank You, Pilgrim AT ‘95

Pilgrim AT '95

#2

Has anyone tried to get some of those with interests in the river involved? Nantahala outdoor center, Endless River Adventures, other rafting companies? Oh and how about all the kayak companies, if the development happens it could definitly have an effect on the parts of the river that are used for boating. That is a whole other big list of contacts.

Blip

#3

It’s a trout stream. Ain’t no boating going on in it.

wolf

#4

If I had some cash I’d donate…but since I don’t…what can we do to save this place? It’s a super place located on one of my favorite parts of the AT. It’s also close to the Standing Indian Basin and a bumch of other trials. You can’t beat staying at the Yurt they built for only $15 a night. They also have a great shower room. In fact I was planning to go back again this year.

How come they’re selling…lack of profit?

Doc Holiday

#5

In my own experiences with the Appalachian Trail and two seasons at Rainbow Springs Campground I understand the importance of this hostel to the thru hikers AT Experience.
The weather can be very discouraging here at 3700 feet in March and April. Ice, snow and cold are the norm not the exception. Trail legs are still developing so it is important to get into a hostel for warmth, comfort and not to lose the support of your fellow hikers.
I have seen many hikers go to town, alone in a hotel room, only to lose the vision of the trail. It makes it easy to take that bus home. If you have thru hiked then you understand the importance of these hiker hostels especially in the beginning of the hike.
Unfortunately, time for the hostel will run out next month. Demolition will begin and homes will be built for a few wealthy individuals. This very special place will be forever lost to the thousands who have passed thru here.
The few of us that are fighting to save Rainbow Springs Campground have put together a list of manufacturers names, telephone numbers, contact persons and email addresses. Please contact these companies and ask them to support this important cause, as we have all supported them in buying and using their equipment.
See our web site www.rainbowspringscampground.com for this list. We will also post the results, positive and negative as we start to hear from these equipment manufacturers.
Thank you very much for your help.

                                                                 Barry

Barry