View Full Version : water conditions Max Patch to Allen Gap?
dkennfls
05-01-2009, 08:46
Any info would be greatly appreciated
Morpheus
05-01-2009, 22:13
I can only comment on 35 miles. Hot springs to Devil Fork Gap.
Rich Mtn: small puddle big enough to pump, but too shallow for submerging a bottle.
Spring Mtn to Laurel Shelter (9miles): 2 piped springs dry, Allen gap contaminated.
Jerry Cabin to Flint: O.k.
Was Allen Gap marked contaminated?
Morpheus
05-02-2009, 23:29
Yes, there was an official looking plastic coated billing attached to a post on the trail next to the water.
I wish when things were contaminated there would be a mention of what the contaminant is. I won't filter diesel fuel or e-coli, but I'd filter Giardia. Big, fat parasites.
dkennfls
05-02-2009, 23:43
I can only comment on 35 miles. Hot springs to Devil Fork Gap.
Rich Mtn: small puddle big enough to pump, but too shallow for submerging a bottle.
Spring Mtn to Laurel Shelter (9miles): 2 piped springs dry, Allen gap contaminated.
Jerry Cabin to Flint: O.k.
Doesn't sound like I'll find much water fom Hot Springs to Allen Gap
Thanks for info
Dean
Last weekend (April 26th) the spring near Rich Mountain was just a puddle, but about a quarter mile north of that there was a decent creek crossing the Trail. It was close enough to the Rich Mountain campsite that you could use it as the water source, if you were planning to camp there.
But I concur that there is a nine-mile dry stretch from Spring Mtn. Shelter to Little Laurel Shelter.
dkennfls
05-04-2009, 15:05
Last weekend (April 26th) the spring near Rich Mountain was just a puddle, but about a quarter mile north of that there was a decent creek crossing the Trail. It was close enough to the Rich Mountain campsite that you could use it as the water source, if you were planning to camp there.
But I concur that there is a nine-mile dry stretch from Spring Mtn. Shelter to Little Laurel Shelter.
Was there water between Hot springs and Rich Mountain? Also is there water at Spring Mountain?
thanks
Morpheus
05-05-2009, 09:04
Well.. Rich Mtn. is only 5+ miles past Hot Springs, so that wasn't a problem; but yes, the spring @ Spring Mtn. is good.
Was there water at Little Laurel Shelter? I am thinking of doing Sams Gap to Hot Springs next weekend.
There was water at Little Laurel Shelter, and lots of water between there and Devil's Fork Gap. It was the stretch between Little Laurel and Spring Mtn. Shelter that was the problem. It was a problem for me because I had counted on filling up at Allen Gap; and the temperature was in the high 80s. I was fine, of course--it was just interesting that, after seeing so many water sources in the previous 10 miles, to suddenly come to such a dry stretch.
Thanks for the info. So far this year, I have had no problems with water so I wouldn't have given it a second thought if it wasn't for this post.
dkennfls
05-06-2009, 10:43
Was there water at Little Laurel Shelter? I am thinking of doing Sams Gap to Hot Springs next weekend.
What weekend are you going. I leave tomorrow to do Max patch to Allen gap so I can let you know that stretch at least.
I am planning on May 15-17.
ChinMusic
05-06-2009, 15:23
Mocs - With the torrents of rain this week, I can't imagine water being an issue for awhile for any place near the Smokies.
Hey Mocs, what's your plan going solo?:cool:
I am thinking...
Day 1
17ish miles to Jerry Cabin Shelter or close campsite
Day 2
15ish miles to Spring Mountain Shelter or close campsite
Day 3
Hike 11ish miles into Hot Springs
I'll keep that in mind, I did that section last year. I'm signed up for Trail Days, but I don't know about that big of a crowd. I might try to hike from Iron Mtn. Gap over Roan Mtn. to Carver Gap. You done it, you think it doable in two days?:-?
Hikes in Rain
05-06-2009, 21:30
Had to cancel my trip. Y'all are making me jealous!
Please, keep it up.
It is only around 14 miles from Iron Mountain Gap to Carvers Gap so it should be easily doable in 2 days. The climb up Roan Mountain is one of the toughest in the southeast though.
I am thinking...
Day 1
17ish miles to Jerry Cabin Shelter or close campsite
Day 2
15ish miles to Spring Mountain Shelter or close campsite
Day 3
Hike 11ish miles into Hot Springs
That seems like a reasonable schedule. Every time I've done this section, I'm struck that it's more difficult than I expected. There is quite a bit of elevation gain and loss. On a hot day those climbs seem never-ending.
There are quite a few alternative campsites along the Trail, if you want to go shorter or longer on any given day.
It is only around 14 miles from Iron Mountain Gap to Carvers Gap so it should be easily doable in 2 days. The climb up Roan Mountain is one of the toughest in the southeast though.
Oops I meant 19E, I thought that was Carvers Gap don't have a map yet.
You are probably looking at 27ish miles from Iron Mountain Gap to US19E so it still should be doable in 2 days. I would probably stay at Roan High Knob Shelter (or tent around it, there are good tent spots by the rocks) so that you have all day on the balds. Roan Highlands is my absolute favorite section of the AT. I do that section every year, and am thinking of trying to hit the Roto bloom up there this year if I can.
About when is bloom time?
Chaco Taco
05-07-2009, 20:01
About when is bloom time?
The trees are in full bloom. Some Rhodo is showing. The forest is alive!!! It has been very wet here. Was up at Devil Fork Gap and Sams gap yesterday and it is amazing how green it is. Havent seen spring like this in quite a few years. Water is flowing heavily
I am thinking for that elevation, it will be early to mid June.
BTW: Plenty of water from Hot Springs to Sams Gap.
I just finished a hike from Max Patch to Hot Springs. Finding water was not a problem but bear activity was. There were warning posting at Roaring Fork and Walnut Mountain Shelters. I did not see any bears but heard stories from other hikers.
flemdawg1
05-27-2009, 18:48
Instead of using the spring east of Allen gap, go west 200yds and there's a running creek.
Jack Tarlin
05-27-2009, 18:54
Can't speak for the section after Hot Springs, but as of a few days ago, there is no water problem whatsoever between Davenport Gap and Hot Springs.
If a source is listed in your guidebook, it'll be flowing, and in that it's rained a good deal since I did this section, there's probably even more water out there now than there was last week.
Chaco Taco
05-27-2009, 21:40
It has been raining for days and days and its supposed to rain for days and days. Doubt water will be an issue for a long while here in the south!
dkennfls
05-28-2009, 11:14
I just finished a hike from Max Patch to Hot Springs. Finding water was not a problem but bear activity was. There were warning posting at Roaring Fork and Walnut Mountain Shelters. I did not see any bears but heard stories from other hikers.
Couple of weeks ago we had a bear in our camp most of the night at Walnut Mountain and returned the next morning until we left . He even nipped at my toes while I sleeping in my hammock. Next morning he just wanderered around and through the camp site not caring about us at all. As long as we gave him about 15 ft he didn't even look at us.
Chaco Taco
05-28-2009, 17:55
Couple of weeks ago we had a bear in our camp most of the night at Walnut Mountain and returned the next morning until we left . He even nipped at my toes while I sleeping in my hammock. Next morning he just wanderered around and through the camp site not caring about us at all. As long as we gave him about 15 ft he didn't even look at us. Bears are very common at Walnut Mtn Shelter