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  1. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by Wild Blue View Post
    I just completed Neel Gap to Fontana Dam yesterday. I stayed at The Hike Inn, left my car with them, Jeff shuttled me to Neels, and picked me up at the dam. Jeff and Nancy were very nice, encouraging, and had a wealth of information to share. I recommend them. Otherwise the dam looked like a safe place to leave a vehicle.
    WildBlue, can you give us all an update on the water over that section...particularly NOC to Fontana.

    Thanks,

  2. #22
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    Mj when u going ?


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  3. #23
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
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    Around October 21st my wife and I are parking at the dam and getting shuttled to Springer - hope to see some of you out there!

  4. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    Mj when u going ?


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    Probably weekend of the 11th.

  5. #25

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    + 1 on the Hike Inn. Nice folks. I think my shuttle from the dam to winding stair gap was around $90....but it was just me.

  6. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by blue indian View Post
    + 1 on the Hike Inn. Nice folks. I think my shuttle from the dam to winding stair gap was around $90....but it was just me.
    How was the hike from wsg to fontana? I'm planing on starting at glassmine gap about 8 miles farther south...doable in 4 days?


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  7. #27
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    Thumbsup on Hike Inn, also another option... http://www.thecabininthewoods.com/index.html. Super chill place to stay and also does shuttles.

  8. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    How was the hike from wsg to fontana? I'm planing on starting at glassmine gap about 8 miles farther south...doable in 4 days?
    When I took my 15 yr old son to do this in the spring we did 3.5 days, he was a little beat after the 18 mile day over cheoah though.

    I can vouch for Jeff to shuttle too. Get him to stop in franklin to eat breakfast at gas station/deli.


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  9. #29
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    Thx mw.. I'll be getting late start on day 1... Wanted to have shuttle stop at outdoor 76 in franklin as planned to get a new tent/tarp set up...thinking about getting the solong6...Prob be 2 by time I get on trail so will be night hiking first night for sure...


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  10. #30
    Registered User MkBibble's Avatar
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    I have never experienced the Hike Inn; I have heard that they are great people. But, you can't have a discussion about the AT and Franklin without including Ron Haven. He has been a great hiker asset for many years. You can find most of his info here:

    http://www.ronhavenhikerservices.com

  11. #31
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    My wife and I are leaving Fontana Dam at 6:30 on the 21st, dropped off at Springer - should be on the trail before 10:00 AM.

    This is going to be a very interesting hike... I generally hike 25ish mile days. She hikes 12-15 - so I'm going to have to really put the brakes on. It'll be our longest hike together.

    Bringing the Kindle and a deck of cards for sure.

  12. #32
    Registered User Wild Blue's Avatar
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    Mocking Jay, anyone else interested.

    Here is my reply to a PM I got earlier asking about water between Deep Gap and the Dam.



    I had no issues with water on any section. In fact it was falling freely from the sky quite often. Seriously though I carried the pocket profile strip maps from anti-gravity gear and I don't remember any indicated water sources being dry. I left every overnight location with my hydration bladder full, 1.7 liters and sometimes added a second liter in a side pocket but rarely actually used it, but I'd rather carry extra than run dry. I was also told that the shelter locations were in part determined by reliable water so I tended to plan around and fill up at shelters.


    From Deep Gap to Wayah Bald specifically here is what I remember. I stayed at Standing Indian Shelter, 1 mile past deep gap, and there was a nice flowing stream/creek at the shelter. I don't remember a lot of water between Standing Indian and Carter Gap shelter, 8ish miles, but there was water at Carter Gap so make sure you get some there to get you up Albert Mtn which is an awesome climb with some rock scrambling at the end. I had enough water from Carter Gap to get over Albert to Long Branch shelter, where I camped, which had a stream as well. Left Long Branch with lots of water and just north of Wallace Gap and Winding Stair Gap there are streams but the last 2-3 miles before the Wayah Bald lookout tower and then the mile to the Wayah shelter where relatively dry. Good spring at the Wayah Bald shelter though where I camped. I left Wayah Bald and refilled a liter at Cold Spring shelter. That was enough to get to the NOC where I spent the night. Lots of water and food and craft beer there. Long climb out of the NOC but there was water at the Sassafras Gap shelter which took me to Brown Fork Gap whet there was an ok spring. Camped at Brown Fork and them I passed over lots of springs and small streams on the last day on the way to the dam

    Have a great trip. Significant climbs, for me, were Albert Mountain, up to the Wyah tower, out of the NOC, and about a mile past Stecoah Gap which seemed to run straight up. Also be careful on the descents into the NOC and down to the marina. Highlights were the towers at Albert, Wayah, and Wesser Bald, plus Cheoh Bald was impressive. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

    Pete, "Wild Blue"
    "Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all" Ernest Shackleton​

  13. #33

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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    How was the hike from wsg to fontana? I'm planing on starting at glassmine gap about 8 miles farther south...doable in 4 days?


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    This was probably my favorite section that Ive hiked on the AT....


    62.5 miles in 4 days through this section seems ambitious to me. But I dont know anything about your hiking style or what kind of shape youre in... I wouldnt want to rush through this section....But I guess if you only had 4 days and wanted to do 15 + mile days then go for it.

    I did it in about 5.5 days

  14. #34
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    Thx for all info wb & bi... I'm in pretty good shape so not to concerned but up for a challenge.. Looking forward to it...I hike mostly solo w my dog so would rather be hiking than sitting at camp. I enjoy night hiking and will be doing some on this trip as will not start at glassmine Gap till around 2pm. Monday by the time I'm shuttled back...


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  15. #35

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    Cheoah bald is a special place. I would camp up there if I were you..

  16. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by blue indian View Post
    Cheoah bald is a special place. I would camp up there if I were you..
    I hear that only problem leaves me around 21 miles for last day...I may stop eat dinner there watch the sun set then push on another 3-6 miles....u recall any flat open sites for a tarp lil past cheoah bald?


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  17. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by blue indian View Post
    Cheoah bald is a special place. I would camp up there if I were you..
    U a WSP junkie?


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  18. #38
    Registered User MkBibble's Avatar
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    Room at Locust Cove (2.3 miles); I know there is room right next to the trail, maybe some down the side trail toward the water as well. Trail was somewhat rough and over grown just before that when I was there in June '12.
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  19. #39
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    Thx


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  20. #40

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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    I hear that only problem leaves me around 21 miles for last day...I may stop eat dinner there watch the sun set then push on another 3-6 miles....u recall any flat open sites for a tarp lil past cheoah bald?


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    +1 on locust cove gap. Its a nice little spot with a few flat spots plus a piped water source.

    Ive camped on Cheoah 2 times and both times produced some of the most amazing sunsets Ive witnessed. The sun sets over the smokies and its just intense. Grade A stuff.

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