Watauga Lake to Damascus - water?

[bessiebreeze]

Does anyone have information on the water situation in the section from Watauga Lake north to Damascus?

[Tennessee Viking]

If you are doing just Watauga Lake to Damascus, consider doing water caches at TN91 and 421. I haven't personally walked the Lake since Spring. But Watauga Lake usually goes dry quick. I heard that the Vandaventer spring has gone past the end of the blue blaze, going a bit further down the mountain. One of the springs at Iron Mtn shelter is listed as dirty and should not be used (signs should be posted). There is a chance of a water drop at TN91.

Back in July, 421 was running. The spring north of Double Springs Hap was just a drip.

[rambunny]

Aqua just walked home (Atkins)from Damascus and reported Trimpi had no water but everywhere else good to go. Have a great hike

[Dow]

...I heard that the Vandaventer spring has gone past the end of the blue blaze, going a bit further down the mountain....

A thru hiker saw a ~huge~ rattle snake at the springs of Vandaventer and thought it wasn't worth it to get water there anyway.

[Mocs123]

I am planning on doing this section over New Years, hopefully the water situation will be better by then.

[Kerosene]

I'm planning to do Damascus to Erwin in late October and am getting increasingly worried about water, especially as October is the driest month of the year on average. Anyone want to allay my fears, or give me an estimate of how much water I might need to carry to get through without severe dehydration?

[mountain squid]

Spoke with a SOBO sectioner on Sat on Watauga Dam Rd. His first words were "How far is the next water source?". Since I had just hiked to Watauga Lake Shelter, I told hime there was a small pool of water there. (The water is about 20 yds upstream of the dry stream bed on the blue blazer to the shelter.) He said both Vandeventer and Iron Mt Shelters were dry. Last good source was Double Springs Shelter.

So, that is about 20 miles without a reliable water source. I'd carry alot of water...

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[double j]

there is a spring at tn91 on the trail.dunno if id drink it

[winger]

Could very well be a dry stretch between the dam and Iron Mtn Shelter, but should be available at 91 and 421 crossings and at Abingdon Shelter. Rained the last couple of days, but going to be dry for the next week.

[g8trh8tr]

I just got back this evening from doing the Shady Valley loop. The loop includes 19 miles on the Iron Mountain Trail and 22 miles on the AT. There was little to no water on the Iron Mountain Trail but water was pretty plentiful on the AT portion of the loop. There was water at Double Springs Shelter, the 421 crossing, Abingdon Gap shelter and several other spur trails leading to springs off the trail. Hope that helps.

[Tennessee Viking]

there is a spring at tn91 on the trail.dunno if id drink it
Take caution and definitely filter/treat the water at the bog bridges near TN91. They are springs coming down from the nearby road and houses. A number of trail angels leave a water drop at TN91 if you are lucky.

[Pacific Tortuga]

A thru hiker saw a ~huge~ rattle snake at the springs of Vandaventer and thought it wasn't worth it to get water there anyway.

Maybe it was just the length of the walk down to the spring but I thought it was the coldest best tasting water I drank from.