Trail north out of Fontana

[Bear Cables]

We are considering our summer AT section and plan to hike the Fontana to Newfound Gap section. I want to hike north to south and my friend wants to go south to north. I know there is a climb out of Fontana and last year we climbed out of Nantahala gorge to Cheoah bald. Don't want another climb like that. So....what is the trail like from Fontana to Birch Springs? Is it well graded? Switchbacks? Or...straight up!

[Egads]

Pretty much starts out with switchbacks then circles the perimeter of mountains while still climbing, then starts going up steep sections until you gain the ridge. It's pretty much uphill for 9 miles IIRC.

See page 4 of the attachment

[Lone Wolf]

it's the mountains. you're gonna climb and descend no matter which way you go. why go hiking if you want it easy all the time. the climb out of fontana ain't all that

[TrippinBTM]

But it's not terribly hard. It took me all day to do the 7 miles out of NOC, exhausting. But out of Fontana, besides maybe the first two miles, say, it was not bad; in a way I hardly noticed any climbing.

Part of that may have been that everyone hyped it so much, that when I did it, it didn't seem bad. Also, there was the snowstorm and coming night that was occupying my mind...

[Bear Cables]

Pretty much starts out with switchbacks then circles the perimeter of mountains while still climbing, then starts going up steep sections until you gain the ridge. It's pretty much uphill for 9 miles IIRC.

See page 4 of the attachment


Thanks that is a much clearer profile than in my guide book.

[Bear Cables]

it's the mountains. you're gonna climb and descend no matter which way you go. why go hiking if you want it easy all the time. the climb out of fontana ain't all that

Didn't say I wanted it easy all the time. But we have a choice on how we want to do the section. To be honest the climb out of NOC last summer in 93 degree temps kicked my butt and I'd rather do the harder climbing later in the hike not the first day. The other reason I ask is that my sister , a first time backpacker, is joining us and I don't want it to be her last hike.

[Lone Wolf]

Didn't say I wanted it easy all the time. But we have a choice on how we want to do the section. To be honest the climb out of NOC last summer in 93 degree temps kicked my butt and I'd rather do the harder climbing later in the hike not the first day. The other reason I ask is that my sister , a first time backpacker, is joining us and I don't want it to be her last hike.

ok. sorry

[attroll]

I thought I would piece together another profile look for you.

[Bear Cables]

I thought I would piece together another profile look for you.

Thanks again. Very helpful

[MtnBikerGuy]

Those that thru hike are in pretty good shape and have good trail legs by the time they get to Fontana, so its not that bad. I do section hikes and once started at Fontana and headed north to knock out the Smokies. The first day was tough. Although I was in decent shape, I wasn't able to do many hikes in the mountains before I started. If you can get some good mountain day hikes or a couple weekend hikes before your trip it will help. I was definately glad to get to Mollies Ridge shelter that day. Which ever way you go, you will probably be tired and sore....ahhh, a good day on the trail. :)

[Bear Cables]

Those that thru hike are in pretty good shape and have good trail legs by the time they get to Fontana, so its not that bad. I do section hikes and once started at Fontana and headed north to knock out the Smokies. The first day was tough. Although I was in decent shape, I wasn't able to do many hikes in the mountains before I started. If you can get some good mountain day hikes or a couple weekend hikes before your trip it will help. I was definately glad to get to Mollies Ridge shelter that day. Which ever way you go, you will probably be tired and sore....ahhh, a good day on the trail. :)

Well living in south Louisiana it's hard to get some "mountain hikes" in. We are doing a 3 day Mississippi hike with some hills next week. I stay in strong shape and usually don't have a problem with climbs but you are right there nothing like finishing a good day on the trail.

[shoe]

As a out of shape section hiker I thought the climb was tough.
Not as tough as climbing out of the NOC.
I didn't even make it to the first shelter. I had to stay at that first campsite.
I don't recall it being straight up. just tough.

[Ox97GaMe]

The climb out of Fontana is switchbacked and a continuous gradual uphill climb until you get to the ridgeline at Little Shuckstack. From there, the trail decends slightly for .25 miles to a rock ledge below the Shuckstack fire tower. from the ledge, the trail continues .25 gradual uphill to a sharp switchback. At this point, the trail gets steep for the last .2 up to the junction trail to the fire tower.

From the fire tower, the trail continues the next 12 miles as gradual ups and downs, continually ascending higher as you hike over to Spence Field. Not a bad section at all.

[Bearpaw]

The climb out of Fontana is MUCH easier than the climb out of NOC.

That said, if your sister is new to backpacking, hike south. Let her know there will still be a good bit of climbing, but not as severe as hiking north.

My wife had a degree of backpacking experience when we hiked Clingman's to Fontana last summer, but she was really surprised by the amount of climbing, even southbound. Our hiking was in middle Tennessee where the biggest climb is maybe 500 feet. I imagine your sister has even less climbing experience in Louisiana. Hike south so that just under 1000 feet is her biggest challenge, not 2000+ feet up to Shuckstack (and on the first day with a full food bag).