View Full Version : Logistics of thru-hiking the GSMP
I recently blogged about my experience limping, er, hiking thru the GSMP last year with the new permit process, navigating the shelter vs tenting rule, and resupplying.
http://www.laughingdog.com/2014/03/hiking-thru-smokies.html
Thanks! Just the facts. Good information.
I may never do it, but if I were to do it, straight through with as few stops as possible.
Wayne
Thanks! Just the facts. Good information.
Thanks. I tried to keep the politics out of it. God knows I tried...
The Solemates
03-11-2014, 20:23
While I agree with your overall sentiment and agree that the new regulations can be a bit tough to get used to, I dont really see the big deal either. I've been hiking in the Smokies for as long as I can remember and have never had issues - 20 years ago or today. In fact, I just got back from the Smokies last week and had no problems. The maximum number of other hikers at any one shelter while I was there for 4 days was 3. What I have always found fruitful is to not hike when everyone else is. Why would people want to do this? I dont understand it. Dont hike in the Smokies from mid-March to late-April. This is easily doable, even if you are thru hiking.
sliderule
03-11-2014, 21:34
Thanks! Just the facts. Good information.
"Facts" like "one road crossing in 174 miles?"
"Facts" like "one road crossing in 174 miles?"
I did seriously oversimplify that. Perhaps "one significant road crossing in 174 miles" would have more truthiness?
HooKooDooKu
03-11-2014, 23:08
Icewater Spring Shelter, I saw 20 hikers filling 12 spaces, hammocks hanging from the rafters, and every decent tent site filled.
Rule #15 printed on the back of the GSMNP trail map indicates that it is illegal to attach a hammock to any part of a shelter. It would be nice if you included that information in the blog least someone read your blog and think this is an ok thing to do.
Rule #15 printed on the back of the GSMNP trail map indicates that it is illegal to attach a hammock to any part of a shelter. It would be nice if you included that information in the blog least someone read your blog and think this is an ok thing to do.
Good point. Will do. Thanks.
Ox97GaMe
03-11-2014, 23:42
I did seriously oversimplify that. Perhaps "one significant road crossing in 174 miles" would have more truthiness?
I guess State Highways, US Highways, and an Interstate are no longer considered 'significant' roads. If you use that philosophy, there aren't really very many 'significant' roads the entire 2100 miles of the AT.
Your blog makes it sound like a hiker needs to be prepared to hike 174 miles without a resupply. That is VERY misleading, even through the Smokies. I don't believe there are many places along the trail that exceed more than 100 miles without reasonable resupply options.
I guess State Highways, US Highways, and an Interstate are no longer considered 'significant' roads. If you use that philosophy, there aren't really very many 'significant' roads the entire 2100 miles of the AT.
Where do all those other roads cross the AT?
Your blog makes it sound like a hiker needs to be prepared to hike 174 miles without a resupply. That is VERY misleading, even through the Smokies. I don't believe there are many places along the trail that exceed more than 100 miles without reasonable resupply options.
Oops, I must have slipped my finger, or my mind. Clearly the AT is not 174 miles long thru the GSMNP. I fixed that.
Thanks for your feedback
OK. So the real distance through the park is only 71 miles? Piece of cake. Thanks!
Wayne
The Cleaner
03-12-2014, 09:36
I don't really have a problem with the new permit process as I no longer hike there do to the large number of hikers. I hiked lots of miles there in the 80's...
OK. So the real distance through the park is only 71 miles? Piece of cake. Thanks!
Sorry about that ...
L Dog
[QUOTE=LDog;1859973]Where do all those other roads cross the AT?
let's see----right before the AT enters the park, it crosses a NC state road (i forget the number off the top of my head).........then when you leave the Smokies, the AT crosses interstate 40............then further up the AT, it crosses under interstate 81 at milemarker 54 i believe...........and then it crosses interstate 81 again to get one into SNP......then it crosses interstate 66 around the front royal area......and in maryland, it crosses interstate 70.......
those are just the ones that came to mind that im familiar with.....
i did read the blog, but like other posters---you're making it seem like hiking in the smokies is more difficult (and i dont mean terrain) than it is......
Where do all those other roads cross the AT?
[QUOTE=TNhiker;1860101] let's see----right before the AT enters the park, it crosses a NC state road (i forget the number off the top of my head).........then when you leave the Smokies, the AT crosses interstate 40............then further up the AT, it crosses under interstate 81 at milemarker 54 i believe...........and then it crosses interstate 81 again to get one into SNP......then it crosses interstate 66 around the front royal area......and in maryland, it crosses interstate 70.......
Of course, those don't cross the AT within the GSMNP. I think my statement as corrected stands.
i did read the blog, but like other posters---you're making it seem like hiking in the smokies is more difficult (and i dont mean terrain) than it is......
Maybe I'll tone it down a bit.
i havent read the corrected statement....
i was replying on what was in post #10..........
i quite familiar with the AT in the park and realize it doesnt cross those roads.......
The Solemates
03-12-2014, 14:21
[QUOTE=LDog;1859973]
Of course, those don't cross the AT within the GSMNP. I think my statement as corrected stands.
Technically, it is still incorrect. In 71 +/- miles, you can re-supply at Fontana, Gatlinburg or Cherokee, and then again at Davenport. 3 resupplies in that distance - no different than many other sections of trail. But I could care less what you have on your personal blog - thats your business.
The Solemates
03-12-2014, 14:22
[QUOTE=LDog;1860135]
Technically, it is still incorrect. In 71 +/- miles, you can re-supply at Fontana, Gatlinburg or Cherokee, and then again at Davenport. 3 resupplies in that distance - no different than many other sections of trail. But I could care less what you have on your personal blog - thats your business.
However, you are correct in that they are not within the park.
Ox97GaMe
03-12-2014, 18:41
Where do all those other roads cross the AT?
Oops, I must have slipped my finger, or my mind. Clearly the AT is not 174 miles long thru the GSMNP. I fixed that.
Thanks for your feedback
LDog, Glad you updated the information. I was trying to figure out the 174 miles. That would account for 50 miles before and after the Smokies. In that stretch, the trail crosses the following significant roads:
US64, US74, NC28, US441, I-40, US25, and US70
There are also several insignificant state and FS roads.
As for the 71 miles of AT in the Smokies, it really isn't all that difficult. Most hikers are doing a northbound hike through the park as follows: From Fontana, 2 days/nights and to/near Newfound Gap at some point during day 3. Then 2 days/nights and to/near Davenport Gap at some point during day 3. So basically, somewhere between 5.5 and 6 days for most hikers to traverse the 71 miles in the park.
I can't recall ever seeing so many split hairs.
HYOH. "Get 'er done."
Wayne