View Full Version : Davenport Gap to Hot Springs section
fozzycole
03-15-2009, 23:03
Long time lurker, first time poster!!
Planning on a 3-4 day hike form Davenport Gap to Hot Springs and I know Max Patch will probably be the highlight of my trip. I was wandering what other outstanding views or vistas I can anticipate on seeing through this section. Any thoughts on this???
thanks
:welcome to WhiteBlaze! Outside of Max Patch, the only other major view you have is from the top of Snowbird Mountain. It's a beautiful section to hike, though. Hope you enjoy.
Ox97GaMe
03-15-2009, 23:14
You can take a short blue blaze over to Raven's Roost, .5 south of Brown's Gap. It gives a view of the valley, and over to Max Patch. After climbing out of Brown's Gap, you will also have views over to Max Patch as you walk along the ridgeline. The rest of the trip, other than SnowBird Mtn will be in the woods and rhododendrons,. If you are there in mid April - May timeframe, the wildflowers will make the trip worthwhile as well.
fozzycole
03-15-2009, 23:26
Great, thanks for the info. I had forgotten about Snowbird Mtn. and I haven't seen the Raven's Roost side trip (sounds good too). I do plan on going out to Lovers Leap once we arrive in Hot Springs, will this be worth it? I'll be leaving May 30 and plan on arriving at Hot Springs on June 2 or 3. Will the wildflowers still be full bloom??
This was the last section I completed last year. Got chased off Max Patch by two giant bears last sum/fall and spooked another one near the shelter the next day. You should check on water sources from folks who have been there recently. i was planning on doing it as a three day but it ended up being an overnight because of the lack of water. Wasn't planning on that long haul from Standing Bear to Max Patch the first day, but I was slurping mud puddles in the middle of the trail by the time I got close to the stream near the patch. The second day wasn't much better for water, but the trail was smooth traveling. The green tunnels and looking down into the valleys were the highlight for me. Have fun!
fozzycole
03-16-2009, 00:11
Wish you hadn't told me about that bear chase, cause I'm planning on camping on top of Max Patch. I wouldn't mind seeing a bear sometime, but I just don't want him chasing me!!!
I'm thinking the water situation should be aright since it's still in the Spring, but we'll see.
Tennessee Viking
03-16-2009, 00:37
Summer and fall time is the hardest time to go. Thats when the water becomes a problem, then bears seem to be more active to find food.
Plan to bear bag or carry a bear canister. Bear cables were just installed at most of the shelters to Hot Springs.
The campsite half a mile from the top is the place to stay. It's an easy night walk and watching the sunset and stars was great from the Patch. The only tree on top is a whopping 6 feet high. The campsite is close, has an established fire ring, ample trees with perfect bag hanging branches, and is flat with few rocks. Just what I was looking for while carrying all of my stuff in my arms in the dark looking over my shoulder every few minutes. The water will probably be Ok, getting tons of rain lately in GA, TN should be along the same lines.
Snowbird was neat, but socked in when I got there. All I got was the X-files command center that I wasn't expecting.
fozzycole
03-17-2009, 01:50
Thanks for all the info mbanja. Does anyone have any ideas about the crowds during late May - early June timeframe??? Hoping for a little seclusion, but will take the trail how ever I can get it to get out of work for a few days.
thanks
I do know that water between Max Patch and Walnut Mountain shelter was plentiful when we went through there about 4 weeks ago. After Walnut Mountain Shelter, it's there, but much less of it and not as reliable.
What is that thing on top of Snowbird?
I seem to remember a pretty good stream about a mile or so north of Max Patch.
Last spring there was at least one aggressive bear between Max Patch and Hot Springs. I'll bet the outfitters in Hot Springs was selling a lot of stoves and pots to NOBO hikers. We saw a pile of bear crap with a snickers wrapper in it.
Gray Blazer
03-17-2009, 14:48
What is that thing on top of Snowbird?
It's a FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. With sattelite and GPS, it's been relegated to a backup system.
gravy4601
03-17-2009, 14:51
if you have time just south of davenport is a side trail to mt cameron observation tower with 360 view and a good view of max patch look at the map i think you could make a good loop trail from the ranger station up to the AT
Have a good hike
TwoForty
03-17-2009, 23:44
I did this section in May 2007 and water was pretty scarse. I had to carry more than usual for the AT and I still had a few miles where all I wanted was a liter of ice cold water.
Cookerhiker
03-18-2009, 10:00
I hiked this section SOBO in October 2004 (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=84052) and water was quite plentiful - too much. :) Never saw the sun until the afternoon of my half day at Standing Bear Hostel. Max Patch was totally enshrouded in fog resulting in my losing the Trail and wandering around. Snowbird had better visibility but it was a damp cold.
Despite all that, I enjoyed the hike. But I hope you have better weather.
curtisvowen
03-18-2009, 10:05
I did this section in May 2007 and water was pretty scarse. I had to carry more than usual for the AT and I still had a few miles where all I wanted was a liter of ice cold water.
Thats because of the historical drought we had. We are still recovery from it, but there's water. Just be aware that water may be scarse but not at this moment.
It's a FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. With sattelite and GPS, it's been relegated to a backup system.
That's what some people say. Others contend that it is part of a project designed to communicate with UFOs. Given that there's no good explanation for why Max Patch is the way it is, I'm going with the latter.
Speaking of Max Patch, that's not just one of the highlights of the area, it's arguably the highlight for hundreds of miles. It's an outstanding place.
I heard about aggressive bears last year, too. My daughter and I were going to do that section but she opted out because of it. Personally I wish the bear hunters in the area would pick up the pace a bit and reinstall some fear in them.
Roaring Fork shelter doesn't have water in the immediate vincinity, so fill up at the stream before you get there.
It's a great section. Has everything going for it. Standing Bear is my favorite hostel, Max Patch is incredible, and Hot Springs is a great trail town.
Navi-Gator
03-20-2009, 17:50
Hey Fozzy, I'll be going through just before you, should be starting on May 24th and pulling out at Hot Springs on the 26th. We will be going on to Erwin though. I think we're going to shoot for a 3 day trip from Davenport to Hot Springs. Any pointers from everyone out there? Is 3 days enough or would 4 be better. Thanks.
Frick Frack
03-20-2009, 19:00
3 days is plenty of time. Hot Springs was our favorite trail town and one of our favorite places period.
Roaring Fork shelter doesn't have water in the immediate vincinity, so fill up at the stream before you get there.There are plenty of viable water sources between Max Patch and Walnut Mountain Shelter. After Walnut Mountain shelter, carry a little extra with you.
El Burro
03-30-2009, 17:04
On top of Snowbird mountain is an FAA Navigational aid called, Snowbird VORTAC, on 108.80 frequence It is used for aircraft navigation.
Rockhound
03-30-2009, 21:49
Spots to see. Max Patch of course and Snowbird have been mentioned. There is also a beautiful rock outcropping on top of Bluff Mountain. A great spot for lunch or a long break. As for water, whoever said there is no water at Roaring Fork shelter has been misinformed. That is the best spot for water in that whole section. There are streams just before and just after it. The Water source at Walnut Mountain shelter is horrible. There is good water at Lemon Gap which is just before Walnut heading north (9/10 of a mile). Fill up there as water becomes more scarce between there and Hot Springs. As for bears, there is the Uberbear that likes to hang out between Max Patch and Walnut. Over the past few years he has destroyed 2 tents and gotten countless food bags. He is the reason they have installed cables at Walnut last year. Hang your bag properly and you should be fine. Bring your camera. You may be lucky enough to get a photo of this elusive creature. Have a great hike and stop by Standing Bear and say hello.