Advice on Where to Backpack the Appalachian Trail

[thegray1]

Myself, my dad, and my brother (and possibly a couple other friends) are thinking about taking a 3-4 day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail in August. My Uncle has a mountain house in Bryson City, NC, so we were wanting to go around there so the women could ride up with us and stay at the house while the guys rough it. I love camping, and have been day hiking, but this will be our first "backpacking trip". Luckily one of my good friends is an avid backpacker and he will probably be joining us.

Through some research, I have found this section hike: Winding Stair Gap to the Nanatahala Outdoor Center at Fontana Lake. 29 miles, so about 3-4 days. Supposed to have some good fire tower views, and one of the less populated section hikes. Only thing is I would really like to find a section with some sweet waterfalls and rivers to cross (or at least really close by). I followed the trail via Google Maps, but it wasn't much help.

Has anyone here hiked this section before? Is it worth it or should I look into another area? I would like to keep the beginning or the end within an hours drive or so within Bryson City NC. The wives will have to at least drive and pick us up once we are done.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Nervo19]

I don't know but my son is reading this. It's a memoir about the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. It has fold out maps. Robert Redford is making a film based on the book.

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail: Bill Bryson: 9780307279460: Amazon.com: Books

 

[MONTYMTB]

I've hiked the AT around the NOC - it's some great hiking. Not a ton of water from what I remember, but it's been a while. Really beautiful area of the country though, so I doubt you'd be disappointed. You might also consider the area around Clingmans Dome (highest point on the entire AT) in the Smokey Mountains - look at the "Breathtaking adventures" section on this page:
No time to hike the Appalachian Trail? Try these 12 easy section hikes | Wilderness.org

A Walk in the Woods is a fantastic read, even if you're not into hiking.

 

[ddnww]

Stay on the trails!!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Bring your banjo.

But seriously ... that sounds awesome. I'd love to backpack there.

 

[thegray1]

Bring your banjo.

I actually am learning to play the banjo.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Well I was referring to deliverance lol but that works.

 

[larrylegend]

I am not familiar with the area you are thinking of hiking. I have hiked around Hot Springs, NC and it was really nice. Decent shelters and you can hike either to or from Max Patch back to town within the time frame you are looking at. One thing to keep in mind if you decide to hike in SMNP is you need to make reservations for the shelters and have a permit.

 

[HHIRunner]

I've hiked to all of the fire towers around NOC and they are all amazing views. Tellico Gap is probably my favorite of them. The Bryson City/NOC area is awesome. Been going up there annually since I was 11 and can't wait for my parents to build their cabin up above the Nantahala

Also GO NOLES

 

[thegray1]

Well I was referring to deliverance lol but that works.

I know, I was just making a smart comment.

I am not familiar with the area you are thinking of hiking. I have hiked around Hot Springs, NC and it was really nice.

Thanks, I will look into that area too to see how far it is from where we will be.

I've hiked to all of the fire towers around NOC and they are all amazing views. Tellico Gap is probably my favorite of them. The Bryson City/NOC area is awesome. Been going up there annually since I was 11 and can't wait for my parents to build their cabin up above the Nantahala

Also GO NOLES

2014 NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY! Now if only Jameis will stay out of jail until the end of this next season...

But yeah, looks like Tellico Gap would be on the route I am leaning towards as of right now.

 

[Koko4]

Check out this link:

Appalachian Trail Mileage Chart : Facts & Information : SummitPost

It has a mile-by-mile guide, which basically will help you a lot in knowing where the water crossings / road crossings / shelters will be. My girlfriend and I did an overnight 10 mile A-to-B hike from Woody's Gap to Neel's Gap, but that's in Northern GA so probably farther than you want to go.

If you want to save your feet from blisters, please please please pack some Moleskin. It's like $4 at CVS and as soon as you feel a "hot spot" on your foot, cut off a piece of Moleskin. It will save your feet, I promise.

Other than that, have fun!

 

[MStudt]

[MENTION=95273]thegray1[/MENTION]

If you're going to be in Bryson City head into Fontana Village. When you get the damn you can either hike into the Smoky's or the other way towards the Nantahala. Either way you head, you can't go wrong. If you hike into the Smoky's be prepared for all of your days to be uphill. Also, if you hike into the Smoky's you can get picked up at New Found Gap Road. This is a good 3 days for me to hike, and 4-5 days for someone who isn't in backpacking shape. The downfall to hiking in the Smoky's now is that you need to pay for a permit. Hiking the other direction you can be picked up at the NOC Center on the Nantahala. I know that section of trail quite well, and will be thru-hiking the AT next year. If you're not set on the AT, you can also Hike the Lakeshore Trail which is a really nice hike along Fontana Lake in the Smoky's.

Another good section is on the other side of the park. You can hike from Davenport north into Hot Springs. This is an easier section of the trail and should only take you 3-4 days to reach Hot Springs. Hot Springs is a cool little town on the French Broad River. There is an outfitter there that can shuttle you anywhere you need to go. Everything from the beginning of the AT at Springer Mountain to Davenport is considered the hardest section. There is more elevation gain/loss in this 175 mile section then any other section on the trail.

If you need anymore information you should look at White Blaze. This is an AT forum and you can find anything you ever want to know.

 

[thegray1]

Check out this link:

Appalachian Trail Mileage Chart : Facts & Information : SummitPost

If you want to save your feet from blisters, please please please pack some Moleskin. It's like $4 at CVS and as soon as you feel a "hot spot" on your foot, cut off a piece of Moleskin. It will save your feet, I promise.

Other than that, have fun!

I will check that out. Thanks for the link and the tip.

I've hiked to all of the fire towers around NOC and they are all amazing views. Tellico Gap is probably my favorite of them. The Bryson City/NOC area is awesome. Been going up there annually since I was 11 and can't wait for my parents to build their cabin up above the Nantahala

Also GO NOLES

[MENTION=95273]thegray1[/MENTION]

If you're going to be in Bryson City head into Fontana Village. When you get the damn you can either hike into the Smoky's or the other way towards the Nantahala. Either way you head, you can't go wrong. If you hike into the Smoky's be prepared for all of your days to be uphill. Also, if you hike into the Smoky's you can get picked up at New Found Gap Road. This is a good 3 days for me to hike, and 4-5 days for someone who isn't in backpacking shape. The downfall to hiking in the Smoky's now is that you need to pay for a permit. Hiking the other direction you can be picked up at the NOC Center on the Nantahala. I know that section of trail quite well, and will be thru-hiking the AT next year. If you're not set on the AT, you can also Hike the Lakeshore Trail which is a really nice hike along Fontana Lake in the Smoky's.

Another good section is on the other side of the park. You can hike from Davenport north into Hot Springs. This is an easier section of the trail and should only take you 3-4 days to reach Hot Springs. Hot Springs is a cool little town on the French Broad River. There is an outfitter there that can shuttle you anywhere you need to go. Everything from the beginning of the AT at Springer Mountain to Davenport is considered the hardest section. There is more elevation gain/loss in this 175 mile section then any other section on the trail.

If you need anymore information you should look at White Blaze. This is an AT forum and you can find anything you ever want to know.

Since you guys seem to the area well, what is the weather like at the higher elevations in the summer? I know during the day I will be fine in shorts and a tshirt, but what about at night? Will I need a sweatshirt, or will a long sleeve tshirt be sufficient? Also would a sleeping bag be needed, or just a blanket?

 

[MStudt]

Since you guys seem to the area well, what is the weather like at the higher elevations in the summer? I know during the day I will be fine in shorts and a tshirt, but what about at night? Will I need a sweatshirt, or will a long sleeve tshirt be sufficient? Also would a sleeping bag be needed, or just a blanket?

Summer months in that area can still get quite chilly at night. If I were planning something for that time of the year, my gear would look something like this.

• Convertible Pant
• Lightweight base layer bottoms
• Wicking t-shirt
• Lightweight base layer top
• Two extra pairs of socks
• Rain shell
• Rain pants
• 30-40 degree sleeping bag

In the summer months you can still expect temps to dip into the 40's at night in the Smoky's. The thing with the Smoky's is that it could be 60 tonight, and snowing tomorrow night. Being the time you're heading there, you should be fine with what I've listed. If I got cold in my hiking pants, and base layer bottoms. I'd put on my rain pants, and those will warm me up. If I ever question my choices on sleeping bags I'll pack the footprint for my tent. You can drape the footprint over the top of you, and that will help retain your body heat. If you have a decent lightweight rain shell/pants this will also retain your body heat if you get cold. Having hiked that section of the Smoky's several times. I'll be the first to you, watch how much weight you're carrying. My base weight for that trip would be somewhere around 10-12 pounds, and this does not include food or water. For food weight, depending on how many you're carrying for should be around 3-5 pounds for 2 people per day. You can shelter hop that section of trail fairly easily if you're up to it. If you're hiking the Smoky's you'll have a couple 11+ mile days to reach shelter. If you chose this route plan on staying at Mollies Ridge (about 11 miles in), Spence Field (about 5 miles after Mollies Ridge), Derrick Knob (about 7 miles after Spence Field), and your last night at Double Spring Gap (about 7 from Derrick Knob. This would give you around 2-9 mile hike out depending on where you're getting picked up at.

Of course this is all based on my experience, and others will have another opinion. With my thru-hike coming up in about 7 months. I've really been cutting my weight to save the pounds.

 

[larrylegend]

I would second the warmer clothing. It can be chilly at night and if you are somehow wet at the same time it would be uncomfortable.

Another good way to keep warm during the night is to eat a hot meal right before you go to bed, it will keep you warm while your body digests it all night. You can even add a little bit of olive oil to your meal as the fats will help too.

 

[MStudt]

I would second the warmer clothing. It can be chilly at night and if you are somehow wet at the same time it would be uncomfortable.

Another good way to keep warm during the night is to eat a hot meal right before you go to bed, it will keep you warm while your body digests it all night. You can even add a little bit of olive oil to your meal as the fats will help too.

Olive oil is key for long distance hikers. It has more calories per serving then anything else. We always carry a bottle with us. It's also good to put on your dogs food if they hike with you.