Drop off and pick up location? NC

[DAJA]

I'm planning an upcoming section hike and hoping to go from somewhere close to Davenport Gap to Allan Gap. My brother lives in Ashville and will be driving me out and picking me up at each end. So can anyone recommend easy access points.

Currently i'm thinking I could be dropped off at exit 451 off the I-40 onto Waterville School Road. Is that correct or is their an easier access point?

And for pick-up I don't really know, something close to Allan Gap. Any suggestions? Does the trail cross NC 208/TN 70?

Keep in mind my bro will be driving to both points from NC.

I plan to do this stretch over 5 nights, six days spending an afternoon/night in Hot Springs..

Any help would be apprechiated..

[Marta]

Allen Gap is a decent pickup point. The AT crosses the road there, and there's a pulloff where a car can wait.

At the southern end, the only problem right now is that I-40 is closed near the TN/NC state line due to a big rock slide. It probably won't be reopened for several more months. You can still get there from Asheville, but it's a longer drive than normal.

You might want to start and finish your section a bit further north. Start on Max Patch and finish at Sam's Gap. Both of those endpoints are easy drives from Asheville.

[Hikes in Rain]

If you can stretch the time, another alternative might be to start at Newfound Gap up in the Smokies. It'll add perhaps two and a half days or thereabouts. But the scenery up there is incredible.

[DAJA]

At the southern end, the only problem right now is that I-40 is closed near the TN/NC state line due to a big rock slide. It probably won't be reopened for several more months. You can still get there from Asheville, but it's a longer drive than normal.

You might want to start and finish your section a bit further north. Start on Max Patch and finish at Sam's Gap. Both of those endpoints are easy drives from Asheville.

So what is the re-route from Ashville? And can you access the trail from Exit 451 I-40 at the Waterville School RD?

Would Max Patch to Sams Gap work for our time frame? It's roughly 65 miles? Is Sams Gap right off the I-26? And what routes do you take to each from Asheville?


If you can stretch the time, another alternative might be to start at Newfound Gap up in the Smokies. It'll add perhaps two and a half days or thereabouts. But the scenery up there is incredible.

We're doing the smokies in May..

Thanks for the info, and willing to consider other options..

[Ox97GaMe]

The trail crosses I-40 right at that exit. It goes under the interstate bridge. You can still access it from the west, but not from the east on I-40. There is a re-route from Asheville that goes through Hot Springs NC and over to Newport TN to connect back to I-40.

Sams Gap is where the AT crosses under I-26. To get there, you would need to either go north on the interstate to Flag Pond road, or south on the interstate to Wolf Laurel Rd and then follow 19W to the trailhead.

If you start at Max Patch, the easiest way to get there from Asheville is to take I-40 west to exit 7, Harmen Den Rd. Turn right. Take the road all the way to the end (approx 9 miles). Turn Left. This road will take you right to Max Patch parking lot.

Have a great hike.

[DAJA]

Ok, so it sounds as though we're going to stick to our origional plan using the re-route through Hot Springs... Thanks everyone..

[Hikes in Rain]

So what is the re-route from Ashville? And can you access the trail from Exit 451 I-40 at the Waterville School RD?

Would Max Patch to Sams Gap work for our time frame? It's roughly 65 miles? Is Sams Gap right off the I-26? And what routes do you take to each from Asheville?



We're doing the smokies in May..

Thanks for the info, and willing to consider other options..

May's a great time for the Smokies. Best of luck on both trips. I'm hoping to do the trip you're doing now in May, so I'd love to hear about yours.

[Marta]

May's a great time for the Smokies...

Every season is a great time for the Smokies.:sun

[DAJA]

Leaving for our hike tomorrow morning. Anyone have GPS data for Davenport Gap and Allan Gap drop off and pick up locations? Our driver is not familiar with the area and would like to be able to punch the locations into his GPS to ensure a guarntee pick up.. LOL..

Thanks in advance for assistance..

[10-K]

Leaving for our hike tomorrow morning. Anyone have GPS data for Davenport Gap and Allan Gap drop off and pick up locations? Our driver is not familiar with the area and would like to be able to punch the locations into his GPS to ensure a guarntee pick up.. LOL..

Thanks in advance for assistance..


Allen Gap: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.9866,-82.78715&sll=35.986914,-82.787132&sspn=0.012345,0.018904&ie=UTF8&ll=35.986931,-82.787218&spn=0.005539,0.018904&t=h&z=16&iwloc=near&layer=c&cbll=35.98693,-82.787226&panoid=zevv_OEu61Yh2F5Af9K7oA&cbp=11,304.44,,0,5

Davenport Gap: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35.770646,+-83.111186&sll=35.770765,-83.111095&sspn=0.049514,0.075617&ie=UTF8&ll=35.769985,-83.107281&spn=0.022215,0.075617&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=35.770765,-83.111095&panoid=2sCtkK3UfODKeGeg3_Wuaw&cbp=11,211.89,,0,5.11

[Marta]

Leaving for our hike tomorrow morning. Anyone have GPS data for Davenport Gap and Allan Gap drop off and pick up locations? Our driver is not familiar with the area and would like to be able to punch the locations into his GPS to ensure a guarntee pick up.. LOL..

Thanks in advance for assistance..

You know about the closing of I-40 at the NC/TN state line? It affects the ability to drive around there quite drastically.

And I heard on the radio this morning that there is a piece of 441 on the NC side that has collapsed. The snippet I heard said that it would be assessed today for safety.

[DAJA]

Would the Groundhog Creek Trail off of I-40 up to Deep Gap be an easier start point than beginning at Davenport Gap due to the rock slide since we're coming from Asheville? Can you access Groundhog Creek Trail from I-40?

Thanks 10-K..

[Tennessee Viking]

If you are definite for Davenport Gap. Just go through Hot Springs from Asheville, then to Newport TN to I40. Then down to Waterville School Road.

As for NC, I am not a 100% sure. But I think exit 15 is the last open exit on the NC side. From what NC DOT repots. But that is the last chance for local traffic and detours. So Harmon Den Road Groundhog Trail might be closed.

Plus its a good bet that Groundhog Creek Trail still has a lot of damage from this years ice storms. So I would suggest Max Patch via NC209/63. And maybe push your trip to Sams Gap or Erwin.

Check with Curtis at Standing Bear Farm hostel. 423-487-0014.

[DAJA]

Thanks everyone... This has been by far the most challenging hike yet, and we haven't stepped foot on trail... We've already been postponed by a day, due to me having stomach flu the entire 2000km drive down here... I didn't miss a rest area, gas station or out house from Maine to NC... Add to that my new car being beat to pieces by hale in Charlotte while I was glued to the bowl hugging a garbage can... I've had a day to rehidrate and refuel and am more than anxious to hit the trail... I need some peace that only nature can provide... So again, thanks all!