View Full Version : Bald Mountain Shelter
A Google search shows it being permanently closed...is this accurate? Doing a section from Devils Fork Gap to Erwin tomorrow/Sat and was looking to camp around there due to low 20s and high winds forecast for Big Bald on Friday night. Thanks!
LittleRock
03-21-2019, 08:26
I didn't see anything posted on the ATC website.
http://appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates
Slo-go'en
03-21-2019, 08:34
Where did you see that? I don't see why it would be unless a tree fell on it this winter.
Even if it's closed you should still be able to tent there. But if I remember right, it's still in a pretty exposed area. In fact, Bald Mt is very exposed, being a bald and all that. Sounds like there will be 1-2" of snow coming there tonight. Wind guts up to 45 mph friday afternoon, high of 39. That will put the wind chill down in the teens and that fresh snow will be slush and mud.
Doesn't sound like a good day to be up there and that's a pretty ambious 30 miles for an overnight trip. Have you done that section before and know what to expect? Good luck.
1st listing on Google...figured it might be bear activity.
Haven't done that section but normally do 15 to 20 mile days. Pretty prepared physically, gear, etc. Staying in Erwin tonight so will keep a keen eye on possible conditions. Thanks for the info.
GoldenBear
03-21-2019, 09:39
A Google search shows it being permanently closed
...1st listing on Google
I just Googled
bald mountain shelter
and found this:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=bald+mountain+shelter
Nothing about it closing in any of the links on the first page.
Suggest you do a re-search and then post the EXACT link you found.
FrogLevel
03-21-2019, 09:40
Where did you see that? I don't see why it would be unless a tree fell on it this winter.
Even if it's closed you should still be able to tent there. But if I remember right, it's still in a pretty exposed area. In fact, Bald Mt is very exposed, being a bald and all that. Sounds like there will be 1-2" of snow coming there tonight. Wind guts up to 45 mph friday afternoon, high of 39. That will put the wind chill down in the teens and that fresh snow will be slush and mud.
Doesn't sound like a good day to be up there and that's a pretty ambious 30 miles for an overnight trip. Have you done that section before and know what to expect? Good luck.
That shelter is past the bald in trees so the wind shouldn't be too bad. There's lots of tenting around. There used to be bear cables and a privy there too.
Slo-go'en
03-21-2019, 10:12
That shelter is past the bald in trees so the wind shouldn't be too bad. There's lots of tenting around. There used to be bear cables and a privy there too.
The trees aren't going to help much this time of year. It's still pretty high up and on the west side, which is the direction the wind will be coming from. I bet it will still be pretty windy there.
I just Googled
bald mountain shelter
and found this:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=bald+mountain+shelter
Nothing about it closing in any of the links on the first page.
Suggest you do a re-search and then post the EXACT link you found.
my guess is there is more than one "bald mountain shelter" in the world and based on the OP's search history or location or something google guessed wrong.
though that said even my searching "bald mountain shelter closed" yielded no results, so my next guess is.... time travel? for the record OP, its 2019 where we are.
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=pnaTXNHpI6eyggfmjYLIDg&q=bald+mountain+shelter&oq=bald+mountain+s&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-hp.1.4.46i275j0j46j0l5.1065.7400..9530...0.0..0.19 4.1364.14j2......0....1.......0..0i131j46i131.RQ-Fl-B6o_4#trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:nav,rc_ludocids:976175 2492202694931,rc_q:Bald%2520Mountain%2520Shelter,r u_q:Bald%2520Mountain%2520Shelter
ldsailor
03-21-2019, 12:27
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=pnaTXNHpI6eyggfmjYLIDg&q=bald+mountain+shelter&oq=bald+mountain+s&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-hp.1.4.46i275j0j46j0l5.1065.7400..9530...0.0..0.19 4.1364.14j2......0....1.......0..0i131j46i131.RQ-Fl-B6o_4#trex=m_t:lcl_akp,rc_f:nav,rc_ludocids:976175 2492202694931,rc_q:Bald%2520Mountain%2520Shelter,r u_q:Bald%2520Mountain%2520Shelter
Interesting. I think the next step is to ask the ATC. I doubt the shelter is closed if the ATC hasn't said anything about it.
GoldenBear
03-21-2019, 13:05
I know for an absolute fact that, as of 2018 August 7, Bald Mountain Shelter was open -- because I stayed there that night.
www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/500-Bald-Mountain-Shelter?p=2219207&highlight=#post2219207
Nobody has posted anything on the Whiteblaze page for that shelter since.
The ATC reports that Watauga Lake Shelter is closed, but says nothing about Bald Mountain Shelter.
No other link found through Google, Yahoo, or Bing (yes, I checked all three) found any real statement about the shelter being closed.
Meaning two possibilities:
1) The Google statement is correct, and the shelter closed permanently less than eight months ago without any notice or mention by any other person or organization.
OR
2) The Google statement is incorrect.
10 4...precisely why I checked in with you fine folks :)
46 and a touch of drizzle in Erwin right now...burger and fries @ Dari Ace
MuddyWaters
03-21-2019, 14:23
44904
Ummm...thus is stuff someone put into google like it was a commercial location. It has no hours of operation
Please dont accept google as an authority
Seatbelt
03-21-2019, 15:29
That shelter is past the bald in trees so the wind shouldn't be too bad. There's lots of tenting around. There used to be bear cables and a privy there too.
Tenting at Bald Mtn shelter was restricted when I went through a few years ago, has that changed? I know there are a few spots just north of the shelter.
Tennessee Viking
03-21-2019, 16:59
Bald Mtn Shelter is open. Something tells me someone was playing around with Google Maps and listed it as closed. There may have been a prescribed burn that closed it for a day or two. CMC
The only closed shelters in the area is Watauga Lake due to bear problems. Apple House was dismantled years ago.
Highstepper
03-21-2019, 17:45
Googled Knot Maul Branch Shelter the other day and saw the same thing. Could find any other information that it was closed.
liteweight
03-21-2019, 21:28
Went from Sams to Spivey Tuesday. The shelter was open with bags of garbage under the bear cables. No signage stating it’s closed.
FrogLevel
03-21-2019, 22:24
Tenting at Bald Mtn shelter was restricted when I went through a few years ago, has that changed? I know there are a few spots just north of the shelter.
It was "normal" in the fall when I was there. There has been closures in the past in the areas leading up to the shelter for restoration but that was 5 or so years ago from what I remember.
Confirmed open lol...here tonight. Helluva hike from Devils Fork Gap...plenty of snow...Big Bald was brutal with snow/very high wind. 3 others at the shelter tonight.