View Full Version : Four day hike to end in Franklin, NC
trippstrat
07-21-2009, 01:12
I'm planning a trip with my family to Franklin, NC in August and would like to arrive a few days earlier than they do, to hike the Appalachian trail. I've done some hiking and am in pretty good shape, but have never hiked the Appalachian trail, so I'm kind of unfamiliar with it. I'm thinking about hiking for four days (I'm guessing about 10 miles per day). I would like to end up as close to Franklin, NC as possible. Anyway, I cannot figure out the best starting and stopping locations for this. Can I go ahead and drive to Franklin and take some kind of shuttle service back to the starting point? I assume I should start in Georgia, maybe around Plumorchard Gap shelter. I'm really not sure and was hoping some of you maybe could recommend a decent itinerary for me. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks.
MintakaCat
07-21-2009, 06:29
One ending location you might consider is taking the Bartram Trail down from Wayah Bald down to Franklin. The trail junction is just a short distance north of Wayah Bald. I was up there just yesterday.
Dick's Creek Gap (GA) to HWY 64 (NC) is right at 40 miles. Contact Ron Haven for a shuttle http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=12119
Dick's Creek Gap (GA) to HWY 64 (NC) is right at 40 miles. Contact Ron Haven for a shuttle http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=12119Ditto this suggestion!
triple the Dick's Creek sugggestion . mile 60 (ish) to mile 103 (ish) .
Nice Walk. One State line.
bigmac_in
07-21-2009, 09:39
Dick's Creek Gap (GA) to HWY 64 (NC) is right at 40 miles. Contact Ron Haven for a shuttle http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?u=12119
Ditto this suggestion!
triple the Dick's Creek sugggestion . mile 60 (ish) to mile 103 (ish) .
Nice Walk. One State line.
The way to go, I'd say. Pretty good hiking too.
trippstrat, Hwy 64 is Winding Stair Gap on the AT.
Call Ron Haven at The Budget Inn in Franklin, he is the man. I would start at the Standing indian Campground and take kimsey creek up to Deep gap then north on AT to Hwy 64 winding stair gap. 1st night Standing Indian shelter, second night Carter gap shelter (new), third night Big Spring shelter. Only about 35 miles total. Ron can drop you off and pick you up. Nice hike good views and good water.
bigmac_in
07-21-2009, 18:42
Call Ron Haven at The Budget Inn in Franklin, he is the man. I would start at the Standing indian Campground and take kimsey creek up to Deep gap then north on AT to Hwy 64 winding stair gap. 1st night Standing Indian shelter, second night Carter gap shelter (new), third night Big Spring shelter. Only about 35 miles total. Ron can drop you off and pick you up. Nice hike good views and good water.
Another excellent suggestion. Kimsey Creek Trail is an excellent blue blaze trail, and is a very gradual uphill. Ron Haven is definitely the resource for shuttles and a place to stay.
trippstrat
07-22-2009, 14:34
Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I've done a little research on these locations and that does indeed sound like a great plan. I'll also give Ron a call soon. Thank you.
-Tripp