Laurel Fork Lodge - bad experience

[zero day]

Dennis Cove Road/USFS50
The 2008 Companion really built this place up...camp store, frozen pizza and burgers, ice cream and sodas, free internet, coffee at 8 am, etc.
However, my experience there was terrible. Arrived shortly after dark, and the place was dark. Office closed, no sign anywhere of the much anticipated frozen burgers, pizza, ice cream, which proved to be non-existent. The internet was down and was never brought back up in the 24 hours I was there. There is a decent hiker kitchen and a clean bunkhouse. That's it. The showers were NASTY and I had to wait on a night manager to arrive to locate towel and washcloth. There was no soap. This place is not owner managed and I think that makes a difference. I was told by the day manager that the main source of revenue for them is rental from cabins on the grounds as well as a conference center. I bailed out after the first night and got a ride into Hampton to stay at the Braemar Castle (interesting place) for a zero day. Don't know, in retrospect, why I didn't stay at Kincora, down the road in the opposite direction from the trail.

[Sly]

Did you just stay? It's not really hiker season. I'm surprised they were even open.

[Tennessee Viking]

Sorry to hear about the experience. For them, their hostel really doesn't start up until March-April. Last couple years, it has been known that they put more attention in their cabin business than their hiking hostel. I stopped by there once to look around, everything was locked up as well. But I found their very anal laundry list of charges for their hostel services. Everything from every linen and washcloth used to shower usage. Its a strictly for profit hostel. Kincora and Braemar are more of the more friendlier spots.

Bob Peoples is a friend to everyone and is a hoot.

[Sly]

Places like the Kincora and Braemor are few and far between. The AT is lucky to have them but, you shouldn't treat for profit establishments like the plague, because eventually you're going to need them and people need to make a living.

There's two trains of thought, a set fee for everything, and price list. As long as you know up front what you're getting into, it shouldn't matter.

[Slo-go'en]

The close proximity to Kincora sort of kills thier hostel buisness. However, if you happen to hit Kincora when thier real busy, like I did a couple of years ago doing a SOBO through that area, it is a good alternative. When I walked up to Kincora, there were about 20 hikers on the porch who laughed at me and said "this place is overflowing, don't even think about staying here!" So, I went down the road to Laural Fork and had the whole bunk house to myself. The frozen food they had there was a God send, as I was down to crumbs in the food bag. I was able to get into Kincora the next day, after the big crowd left.

[Rain Man]

There's two trains of thought, a set fee for everything, and price list. As long as you know up front what you're getting into, it shouldn't matter.

I agree with the "up front" part very much. I know of a hiker who met the Braemer owner on the trail, who suggested they all come stay, which they did, and only then afterwards when they were leaving did he announce there was a charge. NOT good. The invitation itself is where the money should have been mentioned.

So, there are good and bad experiences with most every hostel or place to stay. What you have to watch for is the over-all reputation. One or two bad reports don't scare me off, especially out-of-season.

RainMan

.

[Lone Wolf]

The close proximity to Kincora sort of kills thier hostel buisness. However, if you happen to hit Kincora when thier real busy, like I did a couple of years ago doing a SOBO through that area, it is a good alternative. When I walked up to Kincora, there were about 20 hikers on the porch who laughed at me and said "this place is overflowing, don't even think about staying here!" So, I went down the road to Laural Fork and had the whole bunk house to myself. The frozen food they had there was a God send, as I was down to crumbs in the food bag. I was able to get into Kincora the next day, after the big crowd left.

next time continue on to hampton and stay at the castle

[Kanati]

Last April I opted for Laurel in lieu of Kinkora. There was no one there when I arrived about lunch time. I walked around for awhile and called home as they had a pay phone and I had no cell phone service. Finally the owners, I guess, showed up. They had been to town for groceries. I bought a pizza and some other things and ate on the deck over the creek. It was nice. I was the only one there except for them. Their kids came over and hung around. I enjoyed the silence.

[garlic08]

I didn't sleep there, but had a decent enough shower, laundry, warmed-up frozen meal, internet access, and resupply for a couple of days. It was an easy walk, nice people, nice surroundings, a relaxing couple of hours in the middle of hiking season. Prices seemed normal.

[Rockhound]

Laurel is good if Kincora is overflowing or if a group wanted to split a cabin for a little more luxury. Of course no place can compare with Bobs. You hit Laurel off season so it may have seemed a bit like a ghost town, but as far as hostels go Laurel provides everything a hiker needs, (except an outfitter) at a fair price with beautiful surroundings. Their proximity to Kincora puts them at a disadvantage as for as the hostel business is concerned

[Lone Wolf]

Laurel is good if Kincora is overflowing or if a group wanted to split a cabin for a little more luxury. Of course no place can compare with Bobs. You hit Laurel off season so it may have seemed a bit like a ghost town, but as far as hostels go Laurel provides everything a hiker needs, (except an outfitter) at a fair price with beautiful surroundings. Their proximity to Kincora puts them at a disadvantage as for as the hostel business is concerned

other than bob being a great guy i don't see what's so great about kincora

[earlyriser26]

Stayed at Laurel last spring with 3 others. Took the "Old AT" past Coon Den Falls (real nice falls BTW) and walked past Laurel and decided to stay. We were the only ones there and the guy running it seemed OK. Ordered pizza from the pay phone and hung out. We got there before the Thru hiker crowd and with Kincora down the road were not surprised to find it not busy. No complaints. Maybe lion king should stay at Uncle J's instead.

[Rockhound]

That's just it. Bob is a great guy. He has done more for the trail and hikers than anybody else I can think of and if you have never met the man I would have to say Kincora is a must stay for if for nothing more than an opportunity to meet him.

[Sly]

other than bob being a great guy i don't see what's so great about kincora

Has everything a hiker needs in a pretty setting. It's better when it's not full for sure.

[Lilred]

what does lion king have to do with this???

[A-Train]

other than bob being a great guy i don't see what's so great about kincora

4$, slacking opportunities, rides to town, etc.

[Lone Wolf]

Has everything a hiker needs in a pretty setting. It's better when it's not full for sure.

no beer. no store. no restaurant. no private rooms

[Sly]

no beer. no store. no restaurant. no private rooms

Well, there are private rooms. The others aren't needed and you can always get a ride into town.

What I consider needed are a bed, kitchen facilities, laundry and a shower.

[Slo-go'en]

The ride to town down that insane road is the best part of staying at Kincora! And if you get there on the right day, you can take a day off and do some trail work, then get a neat patch for you pack.

[Lone Wolf]

Well, there are private rooms.

for couples