Smoky Mnt Trail Magic

**wounded_knee** · 03-01-2011, 10:33

Hi all,

I am taking 3 scouts through the entire AT in the Smokies. We are going to be there March 20 through the 26th. We would like to spread some trail magic along the way and improve the trail in spots as part of a service project.

What items and or improvements would be appreciated by through hikers such as yourselves? We have an eager group who is looking forward to the trip.

Hope to see a few of you out there.

Phil

**Lone Wolf** · 03-01-2011, 10:42

hikers don't need "trail magic" especially that early in the trip. if you want the boys to do a servive project have them bring large trash bags for hauling out junk left in the shelters

**Tennessee Viking** · 03-01-2011, 11:03

You will need to contact the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club (local AT maintenance club; http://www.smhclub.org) or the Park office to inquire on any maintenance projects.

For trail magic. Contact SMHC and any hostels/services to see if your group can help with any opportunities.

**Yamagame** · 03-01-2011, 12:39

Hi Phil,

That sounds very nice. Although hikers don't "need" trail magic, I can't think of many who would say "no" to hot cocoa and donuts or hotdogs/burgers on Clingman's Dome or Newfound Gap

With the proper cooperation with all the hiking clubs/NPS, hauling trash sounds like a useful, if slightly less glamorous, project. They might have some others they have in mind.

**wounded_knee** · 03-01-2011, 13:40

Originally Posted by Yamagame

Hi Phil,

That sounds very nice. Although hikers don't "need" trail magic, I can't think of many who would say "no" to hot cocoa and donuts or hotdogs/burgers on Clingman's Dome or Newfound Gap

With the proper cooperation with all the hiking clubs/NPS, hauling trash sounds like a useful, if slightly less glamorous, project. They might have some others they have in mind.

In the past in my earlier days, I would hike the Cades cove to Fontana quite often and did attempt to do the AT in the park once, but the smokies weather of 60's to thunderstorms to hail to 3 inches of snow made me turn tail in one day. Anyway, I would leave all uneaten food at the last shelter or other trinkets for you thru hikers in the past. Is this discouraged? I was planning the same thing this time around as well as trash pickup.

Tennessee Viking, thanks for the info. We already have a task from George!

**Lauriep** · 03-01-2011, 13:42

A few years ago, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was requiring permits for pre-planned trail magic events on the A.T. when food preparation was involved. I'd recommend calling the backcountry office at (865) 436-1231 to find out what the policy is and what their recommendations would be. Contacting the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (the official A.T.-maintaining club in the Smokies) for suggestions on volunteer projects is a great idea, too (what Tennessee Viking said).

Laurie Potteiger
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

**Lone Wolf** · 03-01-2011, 13:49

Originally Posted by wounded_knee

In the past in my earlier days, I would hike the Cades cove to Fontana quite often and did attempt to do the AT in the park once, but the smokies weather of 60's to thunderstorms to hail to 3 inches of snow made me turn tail in one day. Anyway, I would leave all uneaten food at the last shelter or other trinkets for you thru hikers in the past. Is this discouraged? I was planning the same thing this time around as well as trash pickup.

Tennessee Viking, thanks for the info. We already have a task from George!

leaving anything behind, food included, is a no-no. hikers are on vacation. they don't need to be fed.

**Fats** · 03-01-2011, 15:39

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

leaving anything behind, food included, is a no-no. hikers are on vacation. they don't need to be fed.

I'm new here, and probably speaking out of place. But please don't speak for all thru hikers when you say things like this.

I know of several people that not only loved food left behind for other hikers, it helped them out.

I also look forward to any trail magic, at any point.

I'm not pulling a thru hike for a vacation either.

Thank you,
Brad

**Toli** · 03-01-2011, 16:29

Right on Fats... I leave it when I can, And have DEFF enjoyed it when someone else leaves it...

**max patch** · 03-01-2011, 16:34

If a hiker can take a 6 month vacation then he can afford to feed himself.

Give food/money to a homeless shelter if you want to help someone who really needs help.

**Lone Wolf** · 03-01-2011, 16:41

Originally Posted by Fats

I'm new here, and probably speaking out of place. But please don't speak for all thru hikers when you say things like this.

I know of several people that not only loved food left behind for other hikers, it helped them out.

I also look forward to any trail magic, at any point.

I'm not pulling a thru hike for a vacation either.

Thank you,
Brad

Originally Posted by Toli

Right on Fats... I leave it when I can, And have DEFF enjoyed it when someone else leaves it...

it's your opinions but food should NEVER be left at shelters or road sides unattended. no exceptions

**WingedMonkey** · 03-01-2011, 16:54

Originally Posted by wounded_knee

Hi all,

I am taking 3 scouts through the entire AT in the Smokies.

In the GSMNP everything is regulated. Where you sleep, where you take a dump, and what you do with your food. It is unlikely you will not meet a ranger on your hike, either counting heads or checking for permits. They will find your act of kindness as a park violation.

**HoneyBear** · 03-01-2011, 17:04

Originally Posted by Fats

I'm new here, and probably speaking out of place. But please don't speak for all thru hikers when you say things like this.

I know of several people that not only loved food left behind for other hikers, it helped them out.

I also look forward to any trail magic, at any point.

I'm not pulling a thru hike for a vacation either.

Thank you,
Brad

I think you may be missing the point. At every shelter throughout the Smokies there are signs saying "pack it in, pack it out", "food odors attract bears" "hang all food and odorous items" etc....Trail Magic is no exception. If the scouts want to provide hot chocolate or hotdogs that's all well and good but leaving anything behind in shelters (especially food) is wrong.

**Praha4** · 03-01-2011, 17:25

Mr Wounded Knee, thanks for your kind offer, its a great idea to get Scouts involved at an early age in helping out the trail community. A couple things touched on here already:

a. don't leave food in shelters or along the trail, especially in GSMNP. It's a definite no-no due to black bear activity and wildlife management practices being enforced by the Park Service. Newfound Gap road crossing is an excellent place to locate an AT hiker trail magic station with snacks or drinks.

b. while you are hiking the trail, you could consider bringing extra trash bags and removing any litter at shelters left by hikers.

c. Trail maintenance ideas should be discussed with the Park Service and the AT Trail Chapter that works in the Park.

best of luck to you!

**Blissful** · 03-01-2011, 19:40

If you are thru hiking, leave your excess food at hiker boxes setup at hostels and other places. I've also seen hiker boxes at post offices and motels / hotels frequented by hikers. Sure they will like that

**Blissful** · 03-01-2011, 19:46

Originally Posted by WingedMonkey

It is unlikely you will not meet a ranger on your hike, either counting heads or checking for permits. They will find your act of kindness as a park violation.

Yes you will definitely meet the ridge runners then. They are out in full force from March on.

Though if you stop a hiker on the trail and offer them a candy bar, heaven sakes they aren't gonna arrest you for that. Even those on "vacation" could use some random acts of kindness. Because the reason some are on a supposed "vacation" might mean they are searching for something...or someone...or an act of kindness to show them they are loved

We have done our hiker picnic now for 2 years and look forward to it this year. It has been the greatest thing meeting the hikers. And at least five hikers I met in New England who came to our picnic last year. They talked about it. Took pictures of me, ha ha

But I know they will spread what they receive to other strangers they meet in life.

**WingedMonkey** · 03-01-2011, 20:10

Ridgerunners are not law enforcement and are not going to arrest you for anything. There are no hiker boxes inside SMNP. If your Boy Scouts want to pass out free candy bars more power to them. If they want to leave food in shelters then a ridgerunner may "educate" them on what the ATC trains them in "effective food storage in bear country".

**aaronthebugbuffet** · 03-01-2011, 20:33

Haul out trash.
Don't leave stuff at shelters.
Pick up the toilet paper rosettes if your hardcore.

**wounded_knee** · 03-05-2011, 17:00

Thanks for all of your input. I think we are going to either grill hotdogs or hand out cookies around clingmans dome or Mnt Collins Shelter. We are being resupplied at Clinman's Dome on Wednesday the 23rd, so we can put that into our resupply boxes.

Which would be more appreciated?

**Bugz** · 03-09-2011, 06:57

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

leaving anything behind, food included, is a no-no. hikers are on vacation. they don't need to be fed.

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

it's your opinions but food should NEVER be left at shelters or road sides unattended. no exceptions

You're right that you shouldn't leave food behind ever, especially in bear country, but you can't really talk for "hikers" with your opinion. I haven't met a single hiker that would agree with the statement you just made. They might be on vacation, and they probably don't need to be fed, but sometimes trail magic is exactly what they need to keep them going. It's not the hotdog, its the gesture.

Also, when I go on vacation, I go somewhere like the Bahamas. While I enjoy my hikes, I don't think I would call them a "vacation".

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