WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-30-2010
    Location
    Newport, Michigan
    Age
    35
    Posts
    88
    Images
    1

    Default Resupply after the Smokies?

    I was curious what most of you did for resupply after the Smokies? It seems like there's not really anything in between Fontana and Hot Springs unless you want to go to Gaitlinburg (which I don't). I was talking with this guy I work with who's hiked bits and pieces of the trail and he couldn't think of anywhere good to resupply there either? Granted his last hike of the trail in that area was 20 years or so ago.

    Anyway, any help would be very much appreciated

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Springer to Atkins, VA
    Join Date
    02-10-2007
    Location
    LA
    Age
    73
    Posts
    205

    Default

    You can resupply at Standing Bear hostel....Curtis will take good care of you....enough food to get you to HS's...about 3 miles north of the Park.

  3. #3

    Default

    2nd standing bear hostel, I plan to mail drop there most likely. Also 2nd curtis, he might like to make it out like he doesn't like hikers but I know he does! He was very entertaining on the shuttle to newfound last year. He liked to poke fun at one particular hiker when he wasn't around and we got a laugh out of it.
    "Mountains desire to be conquered"
    Me, unless anyone else has said it?

    If you're interested in my hike my website is http://www.thruperspective.com/

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-27-2010
    Location
    Chicago
    Age
    39
    Posts
    178

    Default

    Was really sorry I missed Standing Bear Hostel.

    I decided at the last minute to experience Gaitlinburg. It was horrifying, but probably worth the experience.

  5. #5
    PCT 2013, most of AT 2011, rest of AT 2014
    Join Date
    11-27-2011
    Location
    Tucson
    Age
    36
    Posts
    778

    Default

    I highly recommend a stop in Gatlinburg, if anything just to give some reinforcement to your decision to be in the woods for 6 months. I think Standing Bear is the only option between Newfound Gap and Hot Springs. The resupply there isn't huge, but it'll cover everything you need for 30 miles or whatever it is to Hot Springs. A cold soda and some otter pops feel great if it's a hot day there too.
    "Hahk your own hahk." - Ron Haven

    "The world is a book, of which those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine

    http://www.scrubhiker.com/

  6. #6
    I hike, therefore I am.
    Join Date
    12-11-2003
    Location
    Maine Native
    Posts
    106
    Images
    93

    Default

    It's fairly obvious that Standing Bear Farm is probably where you want to go. You know there is a guidebook? I mean for the AT. There's actually more than one, maybe even more than two, I'm not sure. You might like the guidebook. It's easy to read, and tells you about all kinds of stuff. It will even tell you where the water is, and one guidebook even told me how many calories I would need to burn to break all the cobwebs I'd go through on a hike from maine to georgia. Amazing.

  7. #7

    Default

    Standing Bear is a good option, but you can make it to Hot Springs if you need to. That used to be the only real option other than a very chancy hitch (and a very chancy return hitch).
    It's a heavy load of food, for sure, but not any worse than the 100-mile wilderness was.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-30-2010
    Location
    Newport, Michigan
    Age
    35
    Posts
    88
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Heald View Post
    It's fairly obvious that Standing Bear Farm is probably where you want to go. You know there is a guidebook? I mean for the AT. There's actually more than one, maybe even more than two, I'm not sure. You might like the guidebook. It's easy to read, and tells you about all kinds of stuff. It will even tell you where the water is, and one guidebook even told me how many calories I would need to burn to break all the cobwebs I'd go through on a hike from maine to georgia. Amazing.
    Yea, I have a copy of the 2011 data book, but it was kind of vague. Just listed a road. I'm not really sure where this road leads, but apparently there are groceries on it. I will definitely look into Standing Bear farm when it gets closer to time!

    Do you happen to remember what the book with the calories was? That sounds like some very good information to have.


    Thanks, you guys are awesome!

  9. #9
    Registered User turtle fast's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-10-2007
    Location
    Caledonia, Wisconsin
    Age
    51
    Posts
    1,035

    Default

    You can go to Cherokee, or Gatlinburg...but better yet is hike on to Standing Bear Farm like many have said. Cherokee is kinda neat and because they do not get throngs of hikers and they treat them pretty well.

  10. #10
    AT 4000+, LT, FHT, ALT Blissful's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-14-2005
    Location
    Virginia, 10 miles from the AT near SNP
    Age
    61
    Posts
    10,470
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    171

    Default

    I did a small drop at SBF, but you could buy to get you thru.







    Hiking Blog
    AT NOBO and SOBO, LT, FHT, ALT
    Shenandoah NP Ridgerunner, Author, Speaker


  11. #11
    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2002
    Location
    Minneapolis
    Age
    66
    Posts
    5,446
    Images
    558

    Default

    If you really want more options than Standing Bear Hostel can supply, then I'm sure that you could convince Curtis to shuttle a handful of hikers to a local grocery store for resupply. Certainly this would be a lot easier than spending a day+ getting down to Gatlinburg.

    Of course, a group of hikers could also arrange for The Hike Inn to meet you at Newfound Gap with re-supply boxes. Expensive, but it was worth it to me as a section hiker with limited time and old knees that didn't want to carry 5+ days of food through the Park.
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

  12. #12
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2002
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,937
    Images
    296

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by squirrely View Post
    Yea, I have a copy of the 2011 data book, but it was kind of vague. Just listed a road.
    The Databook is not the same as the guidebooks. It just has mileage and very little detail. The guidebooks have much more detail on what is available in each town, road crossing, etc. -- much more useful information. Oh, and they have the mileage, too. I would not want to do a long hike without one.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-30-2010
    Location
    Newport, Michigan
    Age
    35
    Posts
    88
    Images
    1

    Default

    I will certainly be getting one next year before we leave so I have one that's up to date. I'm assuming they re-do these yearly like the data book...

  14. #14
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2002
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,937
    Images
    296

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by squirrely View Post
    I'm assuming they re-do these yearly like the data book...
    Yes, good assumption. I have used all the guides, and I really like The AT Guide.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-30-2010
    Location
    Newport, Michigan
    Age
    35
    Posts
    88
    Images
    1

    Default

    Judging from the website that looks like a pretty good book! I'll be checking it out for sure.

    Thanks!

  16. #16

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by cowpoke View Post
    You can resupply at Standing Bear hostel....Curtis will take good care of you....enough food to get you to HS's...about 3 miles north of the Park.
    +1; you can also send a mail drop there
    Find the LIGHT STUFF at QiWiz.net

    The lightest cathole trowels, wood burning stoves, windscreens, spatulas,
    cooking options, titanium and aluminum pots, and buck saws on the planet



  17. #17
    Registered User error's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-27-2008
    Location
    Manchester, New Hampshire
    Posts
    45

    Default

    I did resupply in Gatlinburg. It's fine as long as you know where you're going in advance, and avoid the expensive tourist traps...and the tourists. I skipped the tourist trap Happy Hiker and went farther into town to Smoky Mtn. Outfitters which was much cheaper, and then farther up the same road to Food City. All of these, including post office and 24 hour laundromat, are on the blue line trolley. The only touristy thing I did there was Corky's AYCE BBQ ribs. Because let's face it, protein is good! Then I spent two nights at Standing Bear

  18. #18
    Registered User turtle fast's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-10-2007
    Location
    Caledonia, Wisconsin
    Age
    51
    Posts
    1,035

    Default

    The Appalachian Trail Thru hikers Companion is filled with all the relevant things you need in more detail than the Data Book like road crossings, shelters, maps of trail towns, hiker services for an area, resupply, etc. Listing directions like for Standing Bear Farm "After walking under I40, continue North on the A.T. 1.0 mile beyond the stone stairs to the first gravel road (Green Corner Rd.), turn left, walk 200 yards to a white farmhouse." Could not get clearer than that...lists hiker services, says has pizza and sandwiches, etc. That is why I like the Companion by the ALDHA, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association any profits from my purchase for them is a good thing.

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •