View Full Version : Conditions on the AT in NC
My son and I may be going on a 5-day trip from Dick's Creek Gap to Wallace Gap, starting around Memorial Day. My questions are these:
- How crowded with the trail and shelters be?
- What kind of weather can I expect?
- How bad will the bugs be?
- Should the springs still be flowing okay?
The reason I ask these questions is I usually hike earlier in the Spring or in the Fall (I'm a wimp, I know). Thanks in advance.
orangebug
05-16-2005, 07:55
There will be more hikers out due to the long weekend holiday.
It will not snow.
Bugs hate DEET
The water will only flow downhill.
Memorial Day weekend was my return introduction to the AT a few years back. You will have much more lush vegetation, especially the occasional fern fields. Enjoy the Blaze Azaleas, trilliums, Mountain Laurels and other stuff you have missed while being a wimp.
5 days for that section suggests you are introducing a kid to the trail. Have fun! Try to stop early and camp up on Standing Indian.
BookBurner
05-16-2005, 11:02
Great stretch of trail! One of my favorites in the entire Southeast. As for your questions:
1. Being a holiday weekend, you'll probably share the shelters/campsites with a small group or two but nothing overbearing; same for the trail;
2. Warm and humid days (upper seventies); cool nights (fifties);
3. Bugs should not be bad. An especially hot day may bring out a few passing swarms but I'm never bothered enough to to even think about using any type of spray.
4. Water will be fine! The Georgia mountains had a surplus of rain this spring and temperatures, so far, have remained cool.
Enjoy your 5 days out in the woods. Hike well, Ignore the smell!
-- BookBurner
www.enlightenedthruhiker.com
Thanks for your replies. Actually, I kind of prefer company at the shelters so we won't mind that. Yes, I am taking my 5-year old son, trailname "Skyblue", with me. You can see his picture in the photo gallery. I just got him a new backpack, a Deuter Fox 30, and he is ready to try it out. The only 2-person tent I have though is an old REI Camp Dome 2 that comes in at 6 lbs. Do you think it would be worth it to get something lighter (not too expensive please!) like a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight or MSR Zoid 2? I have a Zoid 1 that I use on solo trips and have liked it very much (except for the headroom).
Next weeks weather, 30 May - 3 June looks pretty bad for our hike between Dick's Creek Gap and Rock Gap. If it were just me, I would just go anyway but I have to think about my 5-year old son as well. I'll wait and see how the forcast changes. Any feedback from the more experienced folks would be appreciated.
If you are waiting for the weather, it may be a long wait. This time of year around here rain is forcast 5 days a week, and the particular days change twice a day. In 5 days you will most likely see some rain- but chances are it will only be for a few hours and it also tends to rain more at night. I think you will be fine with your son (you're living my dream), but a plan B- as in bail is always a good idea. I like a tent with all noseeum, lots of headroom. Look around and you may save 2-3 lbs. Enjoy :sun
The rain this time of year is usually pleasant. As long as there is not lightening, you should be okay. A nice soft rain is great, as long as you have good raingear to keep you dry. Enjoy!
Bolivershagnasty
05-31-2005, 14:24
You may be gone by now but for others, I was up there last week (May 23,24,25th) and did the Standing Indian loop again (25Miles) Water is abundant and no bugs yet. I was going to do it with my 9 yr old this week but bailed because she started talking about not wanting to go and I didnt want to make her miserble and not want to go again. (looking at forcast too) That is a great section to "practice" on because there are several "bail out" options back to the camp ground. One sugestion is to slack pack over Albert with a 5 yr old. That part of the trail is dangerous (not could be, but is) and more of a clift climb than a trail in places. He should be ok but dont put any weight on him to throw him off ballance. if you fall there it will be a serious trip ender. You can take the walk arouind trail and come up from the north to see the tower but turn around at the top and contunue north. I wouldn't come off that thing as a grown man from the north for all the tea in China. But it's worth doing the walk around with a kid. You can look back across at Standing Indian mnt and marvel at how far you've come. Good luck.