I've been planning a section hike between Dick's Creek Gap and Wesser. I will be starting on September 25th. Does anyone have any comments on this section? Are there any special details I should know about that aren't in the Data Book or Guide Book? I plan on doing a resupply at Rainbow Springs and staying at the hostel over night. I plan on parking my car at the NOC and getting shuttled to the trailhead at Dick's Creek Gap. Any recommendations on shuttle providers? I would love to hear from anyone who has hiked this section. I did the section between Springer and Dick's Creek Gap last Fall and loved it.

That is a wonderful time of the year for that section. Violate one of the rules of backpacking (hike high, camp low) and try for a night on Standing Indian. It is just one of the most awesome spots in the Southeast.

You might consider a couple of shuttles. Park your car at Rainbow Springs and shuttle either DCG or NOC and walk back, then get a shuttle to the other end and meet your car back at RSC.

Bill...

I've been planning a section hike between Dick's Creek Gap and Wesser. I will be starting on September 25th. Does anyone have any comments on this section? Are there any special details I should know about that aren't in the Data Book or Guide Book? I plan on doing a resupply at Rainbow Springs and staying at the hostel over night. I plan on parking my car at the NOC and getting shuttled to the trailhead at Dick's Creek Gap. Any recommendations on shuttle providers? I would love to hear from anyone who has hiked this section. I did the section between Springer and Dick's Creek Gap last Fall and loved it.

Wonderful piece of the trail. There is ample water almost everywhere. There are a bunch of nice shelters and hammock camping is easy too.

Consider the folks at the Hike Inn at Fontanna as a shuttle provider. Your hike is close to their neck of the woods.

Rainbow Springs has pretty good selection of noodle foods and other essentials. A ride down to Franklin is fairly easy from there and they have a great grocery store on the right side of the bypass with a good Barbeque joint in the same shopping center (Buddy's Barbecue maybe?)

Celebrate your hike's end with a meal overlooking the water at Wessler. I can recommend the Cheeseburger!

There are a number of great views on this trail. The fire towers on Albert and Wessler are right on the trail. The view from Standing Indian is said to be awsome, though it was covered in fog when I was there.

I'd suggest taking small light steps on the long descent from Wessler Bald. This descent has ended more than one hiker's hiking. Small steps will be less stress on knees and less likely to cause blisters to get worse.

Stop in the old fashoned Rufus Morgan shelter just before Wessler to say a few words of thanks to Rufus (RIP) who tirelessly worked to make the NC portion of your hike a high quality hike.

...A ride down to Franklin is fairly easy from there and they have a great grocery store on the right side of the bypass with a good Barbeque joint in the same shopping center (Buddy's Barbecue maybe?)
...
Fat Buddy's, I believe is the name. They have shops in Waynesville. They have killer ribs, but try to save room for their pumpkin pies when available.

Bill...

Fat Buddy's, I believe is the name. They have shops in Waynesville. They have killer ribs, but try to save room for their pumpkin pies when available.

Bill...

Yeah! That's the name. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. I've eaten there twice while on the trail. Great food both times.

Wasn't able to do this section last fall as planned due to hurricane damage. However, I may try to do Dick's Creek to Wallace Gap this Spring with my son, who will be 6 years old by then. He loves camping and hiking, though he has never been backpacking. I plan on taking him on a few overnighters to see how he does before making any concrete plans for anything longer. I may even talk my wife into going. I would love to hear from those of you who have backpacked with small children.