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and Goingoutside.com

Willie Mitchell and the Great Outdoors

This is my hiking and backpacking site.

Without all the items listed here you shouldn't go backpacking in the backcountry.

FIRST AID
I recommend bringing a good first aid kit, even the ones with lots of stuff weigh very little.

STRING
Plain old string is one of those items that you always find a good use for, most of the time it just makes your trip more enjoyable and convenient, but once in a while it can save your life.

POT
Don't forget to pack a cooking pot. How else will you boil water and cook your food.

BLANKET
If you're just going for the day bring a small blanket with you, the kind they have on airplanes.

WATER FILTER
To filter water to make it drinkable, available in most outdoors stores. It's more of a convenience to have a water filter than a necessity since you can boil water with your Trailstove and pot.

BACKPACKING STOVE
If you bring a propane stove you will have to bring a huge amount of propane with you, and you may still run out, not an option. You have to get a backpacking wood stove. These are very very hard to find in stores, if you can find one you're lucky but if not you can order one from this website: www.trailstove.com they are pretty reasonably priced. There are some wood stoves out there that use battery powered fans, these are not reliable enough for use in an emergency, you do not want any moving parts or batteries at all.

MAKE A SHELTER

Find two 4 foot sturdy branches with "Y" shapes at the ends.

Find an 8 foot sturdy branch.

Pu the branches together into a pyramid with the longer branch towards the wind, make sure that they're securely joined, tie something around the top if you need to.

Line the two long walls with ribs consisting of branches resting against the long branch.

Cover the two long ribbed walls with smaller branches.

If you want to and you have plenty of time you can prepare the ground under the shelter ahead of time by digging down a few inches and burning a fire on the ground for a few hours and then covering the coals with the dirt from the dig. This way the ground in your shelter will be warm and dry all night long.

Russell Cave National Monument

Bridgeport, AL

Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological treasure containing evidence as to how prehistoric Indians lived in the Southeast for almost 10,000 years. Virtually, no other place in the region holds such a rich record offering clues to how prehistoric Indians fed, clothed and protected themselves.

CONTACTS

Email - RUCA_Interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 256-495-9220

Write to
3729 County Road 98
Bridgeport, AL 35740

Phone
Visitor Information - 256-495-2672

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open 7 days a week. 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Daylight Savings Time 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central Standard Time Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day

Getting There
PLANE - Chattanooga, TN has the nearest airport and car rental possibilities.

CAR - The park is located 5 miles west of U.S. Hwy. 72. From U.S. Hwy 72 follow county road 75 north 1 mile to county road 98, then follow county road 98 north 4 miles to the park entrance.

Weather & Climate
Summers are generally hot and humid. Winters are generally mild.

Accessibility
Visitor Center, museum and cave shelter are accessible. Wheelchairs are available.

Getting Around
You can walk to any part of the park.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
NO FEES
Free!

Permits
CAVING PERMIT
Free!
Unguided Wild caving. Please contact the park for further information prior to your arrival.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
GILBERT H. GROSVENOR
Open All Year
Phone - (256) 495-2672
Location - The park is located 5 miles west of U.S. Hwy. 72. From U.S. Hwy 72 follow county road 75 north 1 mile to county road 98, then follow county road 98 north 4 miles to the park entrance.
Closures - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days
Special Programs - Native American Festival, Held the first full weekend in May.
Exhibits - Prehistoric artifacts exhibit
Available Facilities - Visitor center, Picnic area

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

FIRST AID	I recommend bringing a good first aid kit, even the ones with lots of stuff weigh very little.
STRING	Plain old string is one of those items that you always find a good use for, most of the time it just makes your trip more enjoyable and convenient, but once in a while it can save your life.
POT	Don't forget to pack a cooking pot. How else will you boil water and cook your food.
BLANKET	If you're just going for the day bring a small blanket with you, the kind they have on airplanes.
WATER FILTER	To filter water to make it drinkable, available in most outdoors stores. It's more of a convenience to have a water filter than a necessity since you can boil water with your Trailstove and pot.
BACKPACKING STOVE	If you bring a propane stove you will have to bring a huge amount of propane with you, and you may still run out, not an option. You have to get a backpacking wood stove. These are very very hard to find in stores, if you can find one you're lucky but if not you can order one from this website: www.trailstove.com they are pretty reasonably priced. There are some wood stoves out there that use battery powered fans, these are not reliable enough for use in an emergency, you do not want any moving parts or batteries at all.