View Full Version : Apple house shelter to Damascus...Info?
Orange_Crush
03-01-2007, 16:30
Hello all!
We were originally going to hike the GSMNP, but changed our minds and now are planning a hike from the Apple house shelter in Tennesee to Damascus, VA.
My question is, I'm an AT Noob and I'm trying to figure out if the area is marked so that I can get from the Highway to the Shelter. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Footslogger
03-01-2007, 16:34
Applehouse is about 1/2 mile south of 19E. Easy drop off ...but I wouldn't leave a car there.
'Slogger
mountain squid
03-01-2007, 16:37
Ditto what 'Slogger just said.
http://www.tehcc.org/
See you on the trail,
mt squid
Jack Tarlin
03-01-2007, 16:37
Apple House Shelter is few minutes hike south of the highway.
A few caveats...this shelter can be a party site for locals on occasion, and you should definitely NOT leave your car anywhere near 19E, especially for the five days or so it'll take to do this section.
Another possibility would be to leave you car at Kincora Hostel in Dennis Cove, or in Damascus, and pay for a shuttle back to 19E. It's a few extra and unplanned bucks, but it's worth it. 19E has been bad news for hiker vehicles over the years.
Jim Adams
03-01-2007, 16:37
the shelter is about a quarter mile southbound on the trail from the parking / access area. It is an easy flat walk. There were issues in the past of vandalism and stealing at that access area...don't know if it is still a problem for leaving a vehicle. You may want to leave your vehicle at Kincora and get a shuttle from Bob Peoples to the trailhead. Just a thought.
geek
Jim Adams
03-01-2007, 16:38
How do you guys type soooo fast?
geek
Orange_Crush
03-01-2007, 16:41
I forgot to mention that we're getting dropped off so there should be no issues. We're just using apple house as our starting point in the AM and heading North.
Thanks for the (very quick) help
mountain squid
03-01-2007, 16:43
:-? hmmmm, well, it took me an extra minute to find the link...
In addition to Kincora there is another hostel just off of 19E. They may allow you to park there. Unfortunately, I don't have the info for it. Anybody else?
See you on the trail,
mt squid
Pringles
03-01-2007, 16:44
If you have to do a shuttle, you might want to park in Damascus, and use Mt. Rogers Outfitters to shuttle you to 19E. As everyone has said, parking on 19E is not recommended.
Pringles
Jack Tarlin
03-01-2007, 16:45
Have a great trip, and don't miss Kincora Hostel, it's one of the best!
mountain squid
03-01-2007, 16:47
I forgot to mention that we're getting dropped off so there should be no issues. We're just using apple house as our starting point in the AM and heading North.
In that case, there would be no reason to go to Apple House, Damascus is the other way...just get dropped off at 19E.
See you on the trail,
mt squid
Fannypack
03-01-2007, 17:32
:-? hmmmm, well, it took me an extra minute to find the link...
In addition to Kincora there is another hostel just off of 19E. They may allow you to park there. Unfortunately, I don't have the info for it. Anybody else?
See you on the trail,
mt squid
it is http://www.mountainharbour.net/hikerscabin.htm (a Bed & Breakfast); it has a hostel ; see http://www.aldha.org/companyn/ga-tn06.pdf page 25... this hostel is only 3/10 mile West of the AT at 19E.. I have never heard anything bad about this place & allot of good things...
Enjoy the hike... I hope u have good weather on Big Bald..
Fannypack
03-01-2007, 17:33
it is
I hope u have good weather on Big Bald..
oops u r going the NORTH
Gray Blazer
03-01-2007, 19:13
Don't bother backtracking to applehouse. It sounds like a beautiful spot and I wanted to see it, too. To me anyway, that shelter was a big dissappointment. It truly is/was a former shack and it was kinda nasty, too.
eventidecu
03-01-2007, 19:43
I came through there in Jan ( Roan to 19e) and it's not worth walking back from 19e thats for sure. It's pretty run down and just another shelter. Go North young man go North! Left my truck at 19e, (cleaned it out real good, nothing to steal) for two days and had no problems.
Moutain Harbor are good people. I left my car there and very friendly. I would concur with the advice of go north and not back to Apple Shelter.
Orange_Crush
03-02-2007, 12:26
Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully we'll get as far as Damscus (we'll be hiking nine days). It sounds like a great place.
Lone Wolf
03-02-2007, 12:29
Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully we'll get as far as Damscus (we'll be hiking nine days). It sounds like a great place.
it's only 74 miles or so. 9 days is plenty of time. see ya at dot's for a cold one.
Gray Blazer
03-02-2007, 12:35
Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully we'll get as far as Damscus (we'll be hiking nine days). It sounds like a great place.Damascus is pretty cool. I love that whole area. I was just cruzin' one time and I took this road kinda near Grayson Highlands that headed back into NC towards Elk Park near the Boone/Beech area. Beautiful! Have fun! HYOH!