View Full Version : Carvers gap to Hot Springs?
Hey I am going to celebrate the big 5-0 birthday by hiking the weekend of Sept 12th. I am thinking of starting at Carvers Gap on the Roan Highlands and going south. I did the Damascus to Carvers Gap last year. We did this hike in 5 1/2 days. I think the mileage was around 90 miles for this hike. I will be starting my hike Friday the 11th, and my hike will end on wednesday the 16th. I think the mileage on this hike is just over 100 miles. I would like to make Hot Springs on this hike, but I,m doubtful this is doable for me. I have no trail legs and it looks like the terrain is much harder than my previous hikes. I also did a 160 mile hike in 10 days last year starting at the beginning of the Shenandoah np and hiking to Harpers Ferry. Again I know the terrain on this hike is not considered hard. Although none of it is easy for me. Do you think this hike is doable. I have never been to Hot Springs and I want to check it out. If its not doable, where would be a good starting point going south to make hot springs in 5 !/3 days. I think you pass thru erwin on this hike. Do you recommend staying there and resupplying so I dont have to carry 5 days of food. Logistics of getting to the trailhead and getting off is no problem. I have a brother in Boone NC who will support me there.
Tennessee Viking
08-20-2009, 17:17
Hey I am going to celebrate the big 5-0 birthday by hiking the weekend of Sept 12th. I am thinking of starting at Carvers Gap on the Roan Highlands and going south. I did the Damascus to Carvers Gap last year. We did this hike in 5 1/2 days. I think the mileage was around 90 miles for this hike. I will be starting my hike Friday the 11th, and my hike will end on wednesday the 16th. I think the mileage on this hike is just over 100 miles. I would like to make Hot Springs on this hike, but I,m doubtful this is doable for me. I have no trail legs and it looks like the terrain is much harder than my previous hikes. I also did a 160 mile hike in 10 days last year starting at the beginning of the Shenandoah np and hiking to Harpers Ferry. Again I know the terrain on this hike is not considered hard. Although none of it is easy for me. Do you think this hike is doable. I have never been to Hot Springs and I want to check it out. If its not doable, where would be a good starting point going south to make hot springs in 5 !/3 days. I think you pass thru erwin on this hike. Do you recommend staying there and resupplying so I dont have to carry 5 days of food. Logistics of getting to the trailhead and getting off is no problem. I have a brother in Boone NC who will support me there.Unless you want to carry lots of food, I would do need to do a resupply in Erwin. Johnnys has quite a bit of supplies on site because you really will not have a resupply point until Hot Springs unless you cache or get support.
In my opinion, heading Nobo on this section is easier than SOBO.
Carvers Gap to Hot Springs is going to be different has some good elevation change but nothing too difficult. Off the bat, just watch your drop from Roan High to Hughes Gap. It can get slippery on the roots and rocks if you speeding downhill. Iron Moutain is easy ridgeline. Unaka doesn't have anything too hard now with newly relocated trail. The drop to Erwin isn't hard. Going up No Business from Erwin is good excercise going up for several miles. Going up to Big Bald from 19W/Spivey Gap is a workout. Its a little rocky and steep going over. Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap is easy ridgeline. Devil Fork Gap to Allen Gap is a little rugid and harsh. Make sure you top up on water at Flint Mtn Shelter, springs to the south can be dry. The climb from Flint Gap is steep but short. Then you have some rugid terrain with the exposed ridgeline, with the option of the bad weather trail if you want to bypass the rocks. There is a small hostel/cabin rental before Allen Gap. Allen Gap to Hot Springs is fairly easy. You really just have to hit Rich Mountain then its all down hill.
Unless you want to carry lots of food, I would do need to do a resupply in Erwin. Johnnys has quite a bit of supplies on site because you really will not have a resupply point until Hot Springs unless you cache or get support.
In my opinion, heading Nobo on this section is easier than SOBO.
Carvers Gap to Hot Springs is going to be different has some good elevation change but nothing too difficult. Off the bat, just watch your drop from Roan High to Hughes Gap. It can get slippery on the roots and rocks if you speeding downhill. Iron Moutain is easy ridgeline. Unaka doesn't have anything too hard now with newly relocated trail. The drop to Erwin isn't hard. Going up No Business from Erwin is good excercise going up for several miles. Going up to Big Bald from 19W/Spivey Gap is a workout. Its a little rocky and steep going over. Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap is easy ridgeline. Devil Fork Gap to Allen Gap is a little rugid and harsh. Make sure you top up on water at Flint Mtn Shelter, springs to the south can be dry. The climb from Flint Gap is steep but short. Then you have some rugid terrain with the exposed ridgeline, with the option of the bad weather trail if you want to bypass the rocks. There is a small hostel/cabin rental before Allen Gap. Allen Gap to Hot Springs is fairly easy. You really just have to hit Rich Mountain then its all down hill.
based on my previous hikes in my original post, Do you think I can do this hike in 5 1/2 days. Thanks you for your post, based on your previous posts and your white blaze name I know you have local knowledge of this area.
Cabin Fever
08-20-2009, 17:44
TV doesn't know what he's talking about. :banana
A little over 100 miles in 6 days should be doable if you are considering 6 full days. Take out half days on the start and finish and you start pushing it. If your brother is picking you up at one end, then you can determine where you will finish and call him from Erwin.
TV is right about the terrain. It is much tougher than Damascus to CG. I would say the only thing of comparison is the climb south out of Damascus and you will do that at least 7 times between CG and Hot Springs.
I would recommend starting in Hot Springs and going north. That would make it logistically easier to get off the trail early if needed and get in touch with your brother since he is in Boone. You also have several good outs - Indian Grave Gap, Beauty Spot, Iron Mountain Gap, Hughes Gap and the top of Roan.
TV doesn't know what he's talking about. :banana
A little over 100 miles in 6 days should be doable if you are considering 6 full days. Take out half days on the start and finish and you start pushing it. If your brother is picking you up at one end, then you can determine where you will finish and call him from Erwin.
TV is right about the terrain. It is much tougher than Damascus to CG. I would say the only thing of comparison is the climb south out of Damascus and you will do that at least 7 times between CG and Hot Springs.
I would recommend starting in Hot Springs and going north. That would make it logistically easier to get off the trail early if needed and get in touch with your brother since he is in Boone. You also have several good outs - Indian Grave Gap, Beauty Spot, Iron Mountain Gap, Hughes Gap and the top of Roan.
Thanks this is the info I was looking for.
Tennessee Viking
08-20-2009, 18:10
TV doesn't know what he's talking about. :banana
A little over 100 miles in 6 days should be doable if you are considering 6 full days. Take out half days on the start and finish and you start pushing it. If your brother is picking you up at one end, then you can determine where you will finish and call him from Erwin.
TV is right about the terrain. It is much tougher than Damascus to CG. I would say the only thing of comparison is the climb south out of Damascus and you will do that at least 7 times between CG and Hot Springs.
I would recommend starting in Hot Springs and going north. That would make it logistically easier to get off the trail early if needed and get in touch with your brother since he is in Boone. You also have several good outs - Indian Grave Gap, Beauty Spot, Iron Mountain Gap, Hughes Gap and the top of Roan.
Cab, can't believe you are still trying to get me in trouble even after moving to the Piedmont.
The thing that makes this section hard is the weather and humidity. During summers from Hot Springs to Devils Fork, water can be a little hard to find. So the best time is usually after the last snow or late fall.
Terrian wise it would be easier to head NOBO. You would have more gradual climbs and fast drops going NOBO. Roan would be your only real obstacle. SOBO would have a lot of steep climbs & your legs will be burning. After you did all that terrian from Hot springs, you can relax in Erwin.
Cab, can't believe you are still trying to get me in trouble even after moving to the Piedmont.
The thing that makes this section hard is the weather and humidity. During summers from Hot Springs to Devils Fork, water can be a little hard to find. So the best time is usually after the last snow or late fall.
Terrian wise it would be easier to head NOBO. You would have more gradual climbs and fast drops going NOBO. Roan would be your only real obstacle. SOBO would have a lot of steep climbs & your legs will be burning. After you did all that terrian from Hot springs, you can relax in Erwin.
I will definetly consider nobo since it seems the bailout will be easier near roan than hotsprings. Thanks again. I will get out the maps tonight. Preparing is half the fun.
Tennessee Viking
08-20-2009, 21:08
I will definetly consider nobo since it seems the bailout will be easier near roan than hotsprings. Thanks again. I will get out the maps tonight. Preparing is half the fun.
Some good spots are:
Rich Mountain firetower, sleep in the firetower.
Shelton Graves/Flint Mtn Shelter
Frozen Knob
If weather is kind, Big Bald summit
Beauty Spot or Deep Gap on Unaka
And if you want a laugh and don't mind staying up late. Jump off at Greasy Creek Gap to the GC Friendly Hostel. Stay up late and watch the insane neighbor.
Have you all heard about the water this year with all the rain from Flint Mtn SOBO. I am planning on leaving Carvers Gap next saturday to end up in Hot Springs for labor day weekend?
Cabin Fever
08-21-2009, 12:00
Earlier in the summer, it was raining like cats and dogs. Raining again this weekend. There will be fewer streams to get water at than earlier in the summer, but should be plenty. Earlier in the year, the only significant water source I can remember between Flint Mountain Shelter and Allen Gap was a very small stream on the side of Camp Creek Bald. That one may not even be usable at this point.
Gray Blazer
08-21-2009, 12:19
Some good spots are:
Rich Mountain firetower, sleep in the firetower.
Shelton Graves/Flint Mtn Shelter
Frozen Knob
If weather is kind, Big Bald summit
Beauty Spot or Deep Gap on Unaka
And if you want a laugh and don't mind staying up late. Jump off at Greasy Creek Gap to the GC Friendly Hostel. Stay up late and watch the insane neighbor.
Awesome post!!:sun
Frozen Knob is a great place to wake up and see the sunrise over Unaka, Roan, Big Bald , No Business, etc.
If you start early from Carver's you should be able to make it to Greasy Creek Friendly by the first day. 11 or 12 miles mostly downhill. Connie will be glad to see you and she'll actually make you an awesome sandwich. She's got sodas, ice cream, etc. for a modest price. That was one of my most fun nights on the trail. Tell her Gray Blazer said hi!
Try to camp on Big Bald and Beauty Spot as well. The Rich Bald Fire Tower would be a nice place to spend the night as well. You can actually go inside the structure. I have pics of most of those spots mentioned by Tennessee Viking in my WB photo Gallery.
Have a great time and Happy Birthday in advance.
Thanks all I will bring an extra bladder to stock up extra water before I leave Flint Mtn. lol this might take awhile to just relax at all the spots you all have mentioned.
Jack Tarlin
08-21-2009, 18:51
It is indeed easier to go Northbound from Hot Springs to Erwin (tho not by much), but it is certainly easier to go Southbound from Carvers to Erwin.
From Hot Springs to Carvers is just over 100 miles. While 16-plus miles a day would be a lot more than most people would want to do right out of the box, it's doable, tho I think you'll have a better time if you add a day or two.