Birch Spring Gap Shelter

[hikingpm]

There is no longer a shelter at Birch Spring Gap. The sight has been converted to a backcountry campsite.

[The Solemates]

They were torn down several years ago. We hiked up outta Fontana on a absolutely nasty day, pouring down rain, about 40 degrees. the whole time we were just looking forward to getting under the shelter roof. instead, we found the muddiest campsites known to man. after 15 minutes inside the tent, we were sitting in a pool. no matter how waterproof your tent is, if you are laying in a river, its gonna get wet inside. they must have just cleared the ground for the tent sites that month. we packed up and headed back out in the dark. and this was one of the few times I actually called to make backcountry reservations for the shelter in the Smokies. The lady said, "Yea, got ya down, Birch Springs, right." Didnt say a word about the shelter not even existing anymore. It really pissed us off. oh well....

[Lone Wolf]

That had to be THE dingiest, dirtiest, dumpiest shelter on the AT.

[smokymtnsteve]

That had to be THE dingiest, dirtiest, dumpiest shelter on the AT.

and it sure was a welcome sight back in oct 99 when I came of the top of ole smoky in the snow

[A-Train]

That had to be THE dingiest, dirtiest, dumpiest shelter on the AT.

Worse than Governor Clement??!

[weary]

That had to be THE dingiest, dirtiest, dumpiest shelter on the AT.

Yeah. But it was a wonderful place in a storm.

Weary

[Lone Wolf]

I arrived there once in the rain but still tented on the ridge by the shelter sign.

[swamp dawg]

I agree this shelter was a dump but as been stated it was sure nice on a really bad day. Is there a master plan to improve this site ?

[bjbrodrick]

What kind of shape is the campsite in now? Am planning to overnight there on a spring hike of 50+ miles.

BB

[bulldog49]

I stayed once at Birch Spring, not the best but not the worst either. That would be Tri-Corner. Now that is a dump, and always wet.

[leeki pole]

I may be planning on tenting there also on a short loop hike in March. Are the other backcountry campsites close by better or worse?

[bulldog49]

Depending on which way you're travelling, Upper Flats to the west of Birch Springs is a very nice campsite. Going east down the Lost Cove Trail is another nice campsite. Both have fast flowing streams and level campsites. I would say both are better than Birch Springs.

[leeki pole]

Thanks, Bulldog. I'm headed up to Shuckstack from Fontana Dam so Lost Cove eastbound sounds just perfect. Appreciate the info very much!

[Jack Tarlin]

Actually, I've always thought the dingiest, dirtiest, nastiest shelter on the Trail was Brien shelter in Harriman Park. It's trashed by day hikers, irregularly cleaned or maintained, and there's no water. Otherwise, it's a great place to overnight!

In re. to the Smokies, thru-hikers are well-advised to get an EARLY start out of Fontana and try to get to Mollies Ridge or Russell Field, which are both very nice places to spend your first night in the Park.

[Youngblood]

I was through there this summer. Birch Spring is now a tentsite and it had a hitching post with a designated bucket for watering horses. It looked like it would still be pretty muddy in a good rain.

BTW, Tri Corner Knob has been remodeled/rebuilt and is nice, real nice.

Youngblood

[Skyline]

I thought the "old" Sassafras Gap Shelter north of NOC would have been in the running for the dumpiest (is that a word?).

[bulldog49]

Jack, one thing that turns me off the Russell Field shelter is the water source. It is a stream that runs right across a heavily used horse trail that is often filled with, well you can guess. Just make sure you have a very good filter or boil water if you stay there. I always go a couple extra miles and stay at Spence Field.

The Tri-Corner is rebulit but is still down in a wet hole.

[Mike]

I was under the impression that the shelter was replaced with tent platforms... I guess my impression was wrong?!?! Havent been through there since march 1998. At the time it seemed like the water source provided a nice mudpit around the fire ring... real niiiice.

[The Solemates]

Actually, I've always thought the dingiest, dirtiest, nastiest shelter on the Trail was Brien shelter in Harriman Park. It's trashed by day hikers, irregularly cleaned or maintained, and there's no water. Otherwise, it's a great place to overnight!

In re. to the Smokies, thru-hikers are well-advised to get an EARLY start out of Fontana and try to get to Mollies Ridge or Russell Field, which are both very nice places to spend your first night in the Park.

Gov Clement is worse than the Brien shelter methinks...

[sliderule]

I was under the impression that the shelter was replaced with tent platforms... I guess my impression was wrong?!?! Havent been through there since march 1998. At the time it seemed like the water source provided a nice mudpit around the fire ring... real niiiice.

You are correct. The Birch Spring Shelter has been demolished. It is now Campsite #113. Reservations required except for thru hikers.