KieferM
03-03-2017, 17:20
Hi White Blazers,
This looks like an amazing community, one I have just scratched the surface of. I have a few questions I hope you can help me with. I've tried to do due diligence in answering them with old threads, so if I missed some useful info already posted please point me there.
Some friends and I are looking trying to plan a three-day northbound hike ending at Max Patch. I've done the southbound portion through Hot Springs and loved it, and I'm eager to both do something different and to introduce Max Patch to my friends. We will have two cars so as long as we have a safe parking spot in the TN side of things we are flexible.
Here's my plan so far: park at Cosby Knob campground the morning we are leaving and hike the 2 miles to the AT and then the other ~9 to the I40 crossing at Waterville Road. I want to get out of the GSMNP so we can camp away from other people - shelters are great, but I'm interested in catching up with my old friends. Problem 1: anybody know if there are camping spots available relatively soon once we leave the GSMNP? For day one that starts with the drive, I don't want to plan too much walking.
Then we have two days to get to Max Patch, which is only 13 miles away, so that's problem two: finding some side attractions. I saw a mention of waterfalls somewhere, but I'm having trouble tracking down something to add ~6 miles to our trip.
Finally, if we go in the next couple weeks, will there be potential snow, ice, mud? Central NC has been having 70 and 80° days, but I know the mountains are a different game.
I'm open to other suggestions - one possibility is to start deeper in the GSMNP and plan to reserve a backcountry campsite, but I don't see any of those along the AT near the NC border, and then I'm dealing with parking again.
Much thanks for your input.
This looks like an amazing community, one I have just scratched the surface of. I have a few questions I hope you can help me with. I've tried to do due diligence in answering them with old threads, so if I missed some useful info already posted please point me there.
Some friends and I are looking trying to plan a three-day northbound hike ending at Max Patch. I've done the southbound portion through Hot Springs and loved it, and I'm eager to both do something different and to introduce Max Patch to my friends. We will have two cars so as long as we have a safe parking spot in the TN side of things we are flexible.
Here's my plan so far: park at Cosby Knob campground the morning we are leaving and hike the 2 miles to the AT and then the other ~9 to the I40 crossing at Waterville Road. I want to get out of the GSMNP so we can camp away from other people - shelters are great, but I'm interested in catching up with my old friends. Problem 1: anybody know if there are camping spots available relatively soon once we leave the GSMNP? For day one that starts with the drive, I don't want to plan too much walking.
Then we have two days to get to Max Patch, which is only 13 miles away, so that's problem two: finding some side attractions. I saw a mention of waterfalls somewhere, but I'm having trouble tracking down something to add ~6 miles to our trip.
Finally, if we go in the next couple weeks, will there be potential snow, ice, mud? Central NC has been having 70 and 80° days, but I know the mountains are a different game.
I'm open to other suggestions - one possibility is to start deeper in the GSMNP and plan to reserve a backcountry campsite, but I don't see any of those along the AT near the NC border, and then I'm dealing with parking again.
Much thanks for your input.