Hi Walter. I was out clearing some of that trail a couple of weeks ago and thought I might run into you somewhere. Me and Skeeter got most of the blow downs that were obsitcals between Yellowhammer and Nichols Cove cleared. We still have some work to do. I plan to take over Big Fat Gap to Yellowhammer Gap as my section.
I don't know what it's official designation will be. For now I just call it the Tapoco Lodge Trail. The new manager is the son of the new owner and has been a professional trail maintainer in the GSMNP. They plan to do all the maintenance from Yellowhammer Gap down to the Lodge. He is a cool guy, you would like him.
The Belding Trail intersection is still there and I haven't hiked it yet. But it doesn't follow the new trail at all.
I totally agree. That ridge isn't "bald", but it is open for good views and is nice hiking. I think it is some of the best hiking in the wilderness area. Rick Harris plans to lead a hike in that section around the 21st of March, you might want to go with him. I would love to but I have to work that weekend.It's a great reroute as the Bob is nice and "Four Mile Ridge" is nice between the Bob and the Hangover and Hangover Lead South is rugged and Windy Gap #400 is one of my faves (even has a spring head not far from Big Fat Gap right off the trail to the right) and Windy Gap itself is a good place to rest and Nichols Cove down to the gravesite is good. Yellowhammer Trail always seems to need work but it's pretty and ZAP you're in Yellowhammer Gap.
I've got that campsite at about 0.3 from Big Fat Gap. Look at the file I attached and you should see it at about 173.2.
Like I said above, I've cleared most of Yellowhammer Gap Trail with my son. There were a couple that were too much for the tools we had, but we plan to get back out when the weather permits. This weekend was on the schedule but the weather has prevented us from getting up there.
I agree it is possible they could. However we spent hours with them last month and they are building trail on their own property. They are great people that love hikers, and I think only hikers acting like asses could ruin it. Hopefully we get a good class of hikers that do not act "entitled" that hike through there and keep up the good will.The only problem I see with the Gap re-route to Tapoco Lodge is having permission denied from the lodge owners if they ever change their minds. It's possible. But then it's a simple alternate to Ike Branch down to the Lake etc etc.
Those are trade offs. Rick Harris has recommended going down to that campsite you showed us off Cold Spring Gap and then back up to Bob via some road in the area. I don't know that route and a small reroute in the area is still possible there.With this reroute backpackers won't get to camp at "Barrel Gap" off 149 north of Cold Spring Gap or Snow Camp by Cherry Log Gap or Crowder Camp or get to see the pretty Stiffknee Trail.
Personally I think the occurrence of this happening is greatly exaggerated. I've only heard of one issue in all the years I've been publishing the guide. And they didn't call rescue, they just hiked back up to Farr Gap and got a ride into Tellico Plains.I for the life of me can't understand why people coming down to Slickrock Creek would ever call the rescue squad in high water when all they have to do is wait 3 or 4 days for the creek to go down. Are we in such a hurry to panic in the first hour and in such a rush to cross? Just mellow out and wait for the water to lower. It's called a wilderness for a reason.
I agreeBut no, this reroute will get the BMTA boys in (along with the Crosscut Mountain Boys and possibly SAWS) to keep these favored trails open, esp Hangover Lead South and Yellowhammer.