soumodeler
03-06-2017, 13:40
Planning my section hike for later this spring, avoiding Trail Days and the worst of the bubble. I ended last year at Sam's Gap and I have 16 1/2 days to hike as far north as I can. It is 215 miles to VA 16 (Sugar Grove/Marion) and at 14.5 MPD (counting one zero day and one nero) is within my normal hiking pace, so I am tentatively planning on ending there. I would park in Damascus and shuttle south to Sam's Gap and hike north, and 2 days before I have to go back to work find a shuttle from a convenient road crossing in the area.
Aside from the obvious major stuff, I know very little about the area. I am looking for recommendations on what others call the must see or must do things in this section.
Also looking for recommendations on shuttles on each end (Damascus to Sam's Gap and ??? to Damascus), good resupply points, and maybe a couple of hostels.
I avoid shelters as much as possible, but I have heard that Roan High Knob and Overmountain are worth it. Any thoughts on those? It would only happen if the timing was close. Not going to cut a day short just to stay in a shelter.
Aside from the obvious major stuff, I know very little about the area. I am looking for recommendations on what others call the must see or must do things in this section.
Also looking for recommendations on shuttles on each end (Damascus to Sam's Gap and ??? to Damascus), good resupply points, and maybe a couple of hostels.
I avoid shelters as much as possible, but I have heard that Roan High Knob and Overmountain are worth it. Any thoughts on those? It would only happen if the timing was close. Not going to cut a day short just to stay in a shelter.