View Full Version : Hike in June for Teens and College age
I have hiked all the AT from Springer to Damascus so I am familiar with the trail in this area. Wanted to come up with a section to take a group of 10 or less to introduce them to the trail in June. Problem is workin up a shuttle for this many folks. A non AT trip that is a loop in the Smokies is a possibility but getting a reservation could be a problem this time of year. I also have to consider mileage. I need to keep to 5-8 miles per day so as not to kill anyone and make the experience discouraging. This is only going to be a overnight. Also considered Wayah Bald to NOC and staying @ Cold Spring shelter or Carvers Gap to Hwy 19 and staying @ Overmountain. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, Jay B.
For shuttles in the Wayah to NOC area, contact Ron Haven of Franklin NC's Bugdet Inn (http://havensbudgetinn.com/). He uses a short school bus which can easily transport 20.
For the southern Smokies, consider the Hike Inn (http://www.thehikeinn.netfirms.com/) for shuttles. They use a van usually.
For the central Smokies, contact A Walk in the Woods (http://www.awalkinthewoods.com/pages/wd_atsupport.htm).
For the northeastern Smokies, call Curtis Owen of Standing Bear Farm & Hostel (http://standingbearfarm.tripod.com/).
For the Roan Highlands area, contact Mountain Harbor B & B (http://www.bbonline.com/tn/mountainharbour/) or Bob Peoples at Kincora Hostel (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-5148106-kincora_hiking_hostel-i).
You could call the rangers in the Smokies and talk to them about it. I called to reserve a campsite for a group a while back. That campsite was already full, but the ranger gave me several other options of similar mileage and difficulty. There are some really nice non-reservation campsites over near Abrams Creek, and others near Elkmont. The Old Settlers Trail is a beauty.
bigcranky
05-14-2009, 19:13
There is a nice loop in the Mt Rogers area which might be a good option. This loop includes the A.T. and the Pine Mountain Trail, and it's about 12 miles -- makes a good overnight.
Park at Grayson Highlands State Park in the backpacker's parking area at Massey Gap. Take the blue-blazed approach trail to the AT at the top of the ridge. Once here, you can go in either direction. Left (southbound on the AT) will climb Wilburn Ridge to Rhododendron Gap. At Rhodo Gap take the Pine Mountain Trail to the right across the spine of Pine Mountain. Where the PMT crosses the Lewis Fork Trail there is a good spring inside a corral about 100 yards to the right of the intersection.
Keep going on the PMT to where it intersects the A.T again. Turn right (southbound again)and follow the A.T. past Scales, over Stone Mountain, past the Wise Shelter, and back to the top of the ridge at Massey Gap. Take the blue blaze back to your car.
There are good camp sites at the spring I mentioned, also near the second intersection of the PMT and the AT, and a lot of people camp inside the corral at Scales (where there is a new composting toilet.)
The loop is fairly obvious when looking at the large scale Mt Rogers NRA map. It can be walked in either direction. June is perfect; the rhododendrons are usually blooming in the second week of the month. It's a nice introduction to hiking.
Thanks for the reply's. Several good ideas. I want to try to avoid filling up a shelter so there would be room for section hikers. Thanks guys!!
I second BigCranky's notion. And don't forget the sunscreen. Plenty of water this year, the rhodies should be fantastic.