View Full Version : How many days...
Does it take to hike the AT through the Smokies? Would that be a pretty good length for a nice section? I know I won't need too much food for all the food stands...
Jack Tarlin
08-03-2009, 11:57
I'd give yourself about a week, tho it may take a bit less. And I'd do it South to North, from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap. Keep in mind there's a great hiker hostel just north of the Park called Standing Bear Farm; this would be a great place to leave a vehicle, wait for a pick-up ride, get a shuttle, etc.
bigcranky
08-03-2009, 13:09
It's about 70 miles. Nice section, I'd plan for 6-7 days.
You're kidding about the "food stands," right? If not, you may be thinking of Shenadoah National Park. There is no resupply along the trail in the Smokies.
Yes, allow time for a side-trail excursion out to Mt. LeConte!
I was thinking Shenadoah. Ooops. Glad I got that straightened out! Thanks.
Thank you! I've heard so many great things about Standing Bear, both here and on Trail Journals. Will certainly include a night there.
Plodderman
08-03-2009, 14:42
We did it in five days without to much trouble but I would plan on six.
wright975
08-22-2009, 19:46
We are getting ready to do this same section in a couple of weeks but were planning on going South. Do we need to change? Why?
wright975
08-22-2009, 19:50
We are getting ready to leave for the Smokies and are planning on going South From Davenport Gap to Fontana Dam, But someone said we should go North. Any suggestions?
bigcranky
08-22-2009, 21:35
Either way you have a long first climb. Not sure it really matters -- plenty of hikers have done it in both directions.
elmotoots
08-23-2009, 00:30
Wright975
We have hiked up to shuckstack several times from Fontana Dam and from Cades cove up to Spence Field And Thunderhead Mt many times. And many many of the other trails in the park.
But when we hiked the length of the park three times. Each time we started at Davenport gap. We like coming down off of thunderhead and getting that first look at Cades Cove.
I will second the vote for a side trip up to Mt LeConte. We did that on our second trip through.
We liked ending the trip at Fontana and getting that free shower at the Dam.
Have fun
Elmo
stranger
08-24-2009, 04:49
You can go any direction you want, Jack recommended that you go north that's all. Keep in mind, going north atleast, the first half of the park is harder than the second half, it seems to get easier around Newfound Gap in my experience.
But it's not a hard section overall, I was out of the Smokies in 4 days last year, some really beautiful sections however, especially Charlie's Bunion.