NB Carvers Gap - Watagua Lake... any I should know?

[WhiteBearDog]

I'm setting :banana off from Carvers Gap and heading to Watagua Dam and was needing to know if anyone can point me to need to know areas... water, campsites, idiots, how many road accesses, towns along the way etc... Any help is appreciated!
Whitebeardog

[Tennessee Viking]

I'm setting :banana off from Carvers Gap and heading to Watagua Dam and was needing to know if anyone can point me to need to know areas... water, campsites, idiots, how many road accesses, towns along the way etc... Any help is appreciated!
WhitebeardogI take you are pretty new to hiking or the area. It is a heavy traffic area.

There is a new section of trail along Grassy Ridge. So it will be easier to walk than reported in books.

Avoid staying at Stan Murray. I can be rough during stormy weather. Stay at the barn at Yellow Mtn Gap.

When you hit the fence line on top of Hump, keep an eye out for cattle. They are not mean or anything, but just take it slow if they are grazing.

If you need to stop at 19E, avoid Apple House, walk down 19E to Mtn Harbor B&B/Hostel. There is a small market in town about 3-4 miles west. A couple convinence stores 2-3 miles east in NC.

North of 19E is pretty close to houses and roads, so you might see some local folk. Avoid water at Bear Branch & 19E.

Stop at Jones Falls. Next and best shelter in the area is Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Its a couple miles after leaving Elk River & before Walnut Mtn Road. There is a campsite just south of the Falls on top of a blue blaze. There is a small hidden blue blaze at the end of Slide Hollow before ascending to Walnut Mtn Road.

Easy section to Bitter End Road. A couple campsite near the Laurel Fork bridge.

After Bitter End, it is a lot of in and out of hollows and up and down ridgeline.

Moreland Gap is the next shelter.

Soon after that is Canute Place Gap which is a huge grassy meadow with several springs around it. Lots of camping.

Recommend in stopping at Dennis Cove at Kincora if you need to grab some supplies.

Next section north of Dennis Cove Road to Watauga Lake is easy and difficult. Follow old railroad grade, then down steps to the famous Laurel Falls, then follow the creek to a trail junction. You can take the blue blaze into Hampton and to Braemar Castle Hostel, another great place to supply (owners also run a local grocery). If you stay on trail, you climb up a steep and rocky path to Pond Flats. Be careful here, bears area active around Pond Flats. Also water can be hard to find here. So fill up before leaving the Laurel Fork. The north side of Pond is easy trail down to Watauga Lake at US321.

If you continue to the road past the dam, it is easy. Being the summer, you will probably see a lot of lake campers and fishermen. There is one shelter just off the lakeside but it can be trashed from fishing parties. Other than that, it is all easy trail over the dam and to the road.

[WhiteBearDog]

Yes, this will be my first hike on the AT. Looks like you frequent this area quite a bit. I've been wanting to go with you guys at the TEHCC but with 4 kids I couldn't. Only able to next week because I BEGGED hubby to take a "vacation". Lol.

[Tennessee Viking]

Welcome to the trail then. Just stop by Mahonneys or order off the net some of the guides, and you get a solid reference to spring locations and stuff.

If anything you should join the club to get the discount benefits. But talk your family into doing the family hikes.

If you have time, the TEHCC is hosting the Konnarock Crew July3-5 then again later that month. We will be working in the Roan Highlands making easier graded trail. I will be heading up there that Thursday and camp with the crew. Nothing beats the view of Roaring Creek Valley.

[RoanDog]

That is a great section of trail for a first hike. It offer great views across the Roan Highlands. My first AT hike in 1979 was from Indian Grave Gap to Hampton. I hiked it with my BSA troop from Cary, NC. I have been hooked on hiking and the AT ever since. Enough so, that I found a job and moved to Northeast TN 10 years ago. I have hiked the section many times since. Tennesse viking summed up the section well. You should plan to spend a night at Overmountain Shelter. The shelter overlooks Roaring Creek Valley. The section over the humps is one of the best on the trail. I hiked from overmountain Shelter to Hampton again earlier this year in April. I wanted to hike the relocated section of trail from 19E to Dennis Cove and could not resist adding another day and crossing big hump and little hump. The relocated section from 19E to Dennis cove is an A+ hike. It is good trail. There is a great campsite on the Elk River just north of Jones falls. This section does get a lot of day hikers and weekend overnight hikers. Enjoy your hike.

[WhiteBearDog]

Yeah, I've heard I can't go wrong with the beauty of this section. I'm so excited I can't stand it. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but finding someone to go with me was the hard part.

Can you tell me how many days you think this will take? I figured 4-5. A safe average of 10-13 mls per day but feel we can do bit more if needed. Also don't want to go gun-ho and not enjoy either.

whitebeardog

[Gray Blazer]

Camping on top of Big Hump can be fun. It's just a few miles past Overmountain Shelter.

[WhiteBearDog]

another stupid question...

My sons Boy Scout leader says when he's on the AT, he doesn't filter or boil but puts bleach in his water to "purify" it. Is this safe? How much bleach?

[Tennessee Viking]

Its 4 drops per quart, 16 drops per gallon. Let react for 30 minutes. And just use regular bleach.

If you use for a extended period of time, it can irritate your kidneys. But for camping its fine.


I am not a bleach person. I use Aqua Mira. It comes in a smaller bottle, doesn't stain. And only takes about 10 minutes to react fully.

[RoanDog]

I never plan for big miles. I usually plan 12 miles per day, but often do more. But, it really comes down to your own physical abilities. I would plan for no more than 10 miles per day if you are a new hiker.

I would use Aqua-Mira or a filter and stay away from the bleach. I used to use Arrow Brand Bleach from Winn Dixie. It use to have the water purification instructions on the bottle. Bleach adds a nasty taste to the water. I met a guy one time using powdered pool chemical bleach with no immediate ill affects. But, Aqua Mira only adds a mild flavor to the water. The water sources through that section are good. But, there are a couple places like at Apple House Shelter that the source is a creek. I always purify if the water is running above ground. I have drank out of most of the springs through that section with no problems. But, be safe and use the Aqua Mira.

[WhiteBearDog]

I am not a bleach person. I use Aqua Mira. It comes in a smaller bottle, doesn't stain. And only takes about 10 minutes to react fully.


Does Dicks Sporting Goods or Mahoneys carry it?:confused:

[Tennessee Viking]

Does Dicks Sporting Goods or Mahoneys carry it?:confused:
Dicks carrys just iodine tablets, Steripens, and filters.

Mahonneys & most any other outfitter in the area has Aqua Mira.

[WhiteBearDog]

Does Dicks Sporting Goods or Mahoneys carry it?:confused:
Had to hurry last post... I was at Dicks not to long ago, I remember they carried some drops and tablets... filters too. But cant' remember WHAT they carried.

WhiteBearDog

[dperry]

Had to hurry last post... I was at Dicks not to long ago, I remember they carried some drops and tablets... filters too. But cant' remember WHAT they carried.

WhiteBearDog

Don't know if you have these stores in your area, but for other people's sake: EMS has it, REI doesn't.

[Tennessee Viking]

I have done both Iodine and Aqua Mira. Iodine left the water a little salty for my taste, and seemed to not to quench my thirst. Some people counteract this by adding Emergen-C or sport drink powder.

Aqua Mira has a slight taste on the first try but easily can get used to it.

Iodine ($6) is cheaper than AquaMira ($15). And you can find it at most stores, like Walmart and camping/hunting stores.

Then again, bleach you can find almost anywhere, at any country market. Just carry a dropper.

[WhiteBearDog]

Checked in Walmart tonight and they had something, didn't have time to read it but was around $5 and said it is tasteless and works in 10 minutes. Tablets I believe. Didn't see the Aqua Mira in sporting goods. Would it be in another section?

[Doctari]

After Laurel falls & etc. you hit a old road, nice & level. Then the AT goes a hard right up hill, (get water here) it's a somewhat long hill but an easy grade, lots of views. At the top is (may be?) a small spring, if you need water fill up here cause there isn't any till you get down to the lake.

I second that you have chosen a really nice section of tha AT as your maden voyage. If you are really brave, you can take a shower in the Mountaineer falls. Just be aware that you will be visible to all who pass & from atop the falls, which is the water source for the shelter. :p

[WhiteBearDog]

After Laurel falls & etc. you hit a old road, nice & level. Then the AT goes a hard right up hill, (get water here) it's a somewhat long hill but an easy grade, lots of views. At the top is (may be?) a small spring, if you need water fill up here cause there isn't any till you get down to the lake.

I second that you have chosen a really nice section of tha AT as your maden voyage. If you are really brave, you can take a shower in the Mountaineer falls. Just be aware that you will be visible to all who pass & from atop the falls, which is the water source for the shelter. :p


Lol... I'm bringing a little plastic bucket to use as a wash basin. Its just big enough to put maybe a quart of water in so I won't have to muck up clean water for others to use. Plus the handle makes it easy to just hang off the side of my pack. :rolleyes: Gosh, hadn't been skinny dippin in years. Those were the days...:rolleyes:

[WhiteBearDog]

I'm back from a very :mad: disappointing :mad: trip. We spent our first night at Overmountain Shelter, but by the time we reached 19E, my parter decided she had enough and went home.:( I am so .... whats the word here... UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had planned this trip ALL YEAR.... waiting and waiting till the day finally came. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! Speechless... the view are speechless. The people I met were true treasures. My favorite couple were Pa & Gween? Gweem? at couple of botanists who were checking out the plants and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

I loved every minute and wished she could have held up. Instead of wearing her everyday shoes, she had gone and bought new shoes that weren't broken in. :eek: Her feet covered with blisters and bruises.

Now, I'm currently on the lookout for a hiking partner who would like to finish this section with me. Would be a 3 day hike.

Whitebeardog

[Tennessee Viking]

I'm back from a very :mad: disappointing :mad: trip. We spent our first night at Overmountain Shelter, but by the time we reached 19E, my parter decided she had enough and went home.:( I am so .... whats the word here... UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had planned this trip ALL YEAR.... waiting and waiting till the day finally came. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! Speechless... the view are speechless. The people I met were true treasures. My favorite couple were Pa & Gween? Gweem? at couple of botanists who were checking out the plants and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

I loved every minute and wished she could have held up. Instead of wearing her everyday shoes, she had gone and bought new shoes that weren't broken in. :eek: Her feet covered with blisters and bruises.

Now, I'm currently on the lookout for a hiking partner who would like to finish this section with me. Would be a 3 day hike.

Whitebeardog
The heat, humidity, and direct sun are some of the butt kickers around this time of year.

[Lone Wolf]

I'm back from a very :mad: disappointing :mad: trip. We spent our first night at Overmountain Shelter, but by the time we reached 19E, my parter decided she had enough and went home.:( I am so .... whats the word here... UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had planned this trip ALL YEAR.... waiting and waiting till the day finally came. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! Speechless... the view are speechless. The people I met were true treasures. My favorite couple were Pa & Gween? Gweem? at couple of botanists who were checking out the plants and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

I loved every minute and wished she could have held up. Instead of wearing her everyday shoes, she had gone and bought new shoes that weren't broken in. :eek: Her feet covered with blisters and bruises.

Now, I'm currently on the lookout for a hiking partner who would like to finish this section with me. Would be a 3 day hike.

Whitebeardog

uh. lesson learned. do not hike with partners. go it alone

[WhiteBearDog]

Trust me... I wanted to continue on my own but hubby would have no part of it. Gave me the "what would I tell the bubs if something was to happen to you" guilt trip.:(

The weather was PERFECT! Loved every minute of it. I just don't think she knew what she was getting herself into. I don't know. Maybe she will try again, but I'm not going to push it.