View Full Version : I need a water update for the smokies please
flagator
09-08-2010, 21:22
Hi guys, I'm section hiking the Smokies, im hiking from Davenport gap to Fontana 10th-14th. I know as of a few days ago, there was a water shortage particularly from derricks knob to fontana. Can anyone tell me if there have been any changes. I just wanted to know where on my trek water will start to be rare and I will tank up as much as needed to push through. Anyone have any updates either from personal experience or from ridge runner reports?? Thanks very much.
SmokyMtn Hiker
09-08-2010, 21:35
The GSMNP website as of yesterday states the same, water sources from Spence Field shelter to BC site # 113 is unreliable at this time. I haven't check the weather forecast in a couple of days but the chance of good soaking rain is slim. I hope you have an awesome trip anyway, I done that section in October 2008 and it was awesome that time of the year.
What's the link for the water situation in the park?
SmokyMtn Hiker
09-08-2010, 21:45
What's the link for the water situation in the park?
www.nps.gov/grsm/ (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/) and click on Closed Roads and Facilities and it will give you all the backcountry updates lower down on the page.
I was there this weekend, from Spence Field to Fontana.
The piped spring behind Spence Field Shelter was running nicely.
Russell Field was a muddy pool.
Mollie Ridge was dry.
At Ekaneetlee Gap, a few miles past Mollies Ridge, there is a stream bed that has several small puddles you can filter out of. The gap is not marked, but there is a pole where a sign used to be and rocks in the shape of an arrow pointing down the trail to the stream. It is a fairly obvious gap. It is at the bottom of the downhill out of Mollies Ridge. If you start going up for more than 2 minutes, you have passed it.
The spring at Birch Spring Gap is also not very good, but a filter will get you by.
Good luck. Beautiful trail. If you are looking for a different route with plenty of water, from Spence Field take the Eagle Creek Trail to the Lakeshore Trail to Fontana. Incredible hiking. Saw 5 boar.
Just came out of the smokies yesterday and there was water at mollies ridge and russells field...just small pools but enough to get you through. Plus when we were leaving it came a huge down poor that only lasted about an hour but im sure that helped.