View Full Version : Smokies
greentick
10-30-2007, 15:51
Couple of things:
Has anyone covered Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap since we got some rain and can you give some intel on the water availability. I am heading out in a couple of days Newfound to Leconte to Pecks Corner to Cosby Knob out at Davenport.
Second thing, I had made reservations for 5 hikers for the above shelters the nights of Nov 1, 2, 3 respectively and one of my buddies cancelled out. If you want reservations at any of those shelters and couldnt get it call em up.
Thanks for any info.
A few weeks ago when I was up there, there seemed to be water on that side of Newfound Gap. The springs at the shelters were low but usable. On the other side of Newfound Gap the AT is too dry to hike.
greentick
10-30-2007, 18:59
A few weeks ago when I was up there, there seemed to be water on that side of Newfound Gap. The springs at the shelters were low but usable. On the other side of Newfound Gap the AT is too dry to hike.
Thanks for the info.
Speer Carrier
10-30-2007, 20:09
Couple of things:
Has anyone covered Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap since we got some rain and can you give some intel on the water availability. I am heading out in a couple of days Newfound to Leconte to Pecks Corner to Cosby Knob out at Davenport.
Second thing, I had made reservations for 5 hikers for the above shelters the nights of Nov 1, 2, 3 respectively and one of my buddies cancelled out. If you want reservations at any of those shelters and couldnt get it call em up.
Thanks for any info.
I hiked that section 3 weeks ago. There was enough water then so with rain you should have no problem. We stayed in all shelters between Newfound and Davenport. The four of us had reservations, and the shelters were full each night, but I believe we might have been the only ones with reservations. If you end up with an empty space I'm sure someone will take it that just comes wandering in at the end of the day.
greentick
10-31-2007, 00:41
Yeah, there was a few days that were showing a couple inches of precip. I hate to think I have dialed in on a fairly light kit to have to hump 12-13lbs of water. Thanks for the good word.
greentick
11-05-2007, 11:45
Just got back. Awesome trip. Great time of year in the Smokies.
If your heading that way soon here is the water report from Newfound Gap to Leconte (via Boulevard Trail) to Davenport Gap:
1/4 mile down BT from junction with AT spring running at >1 liter per minute.
Icewater spring shelter >1 LPM
Peck's Corner >1LPM
Tricorner Knob ~0.7LPM
Guyot spring was a trickle (did not use)
Cosby Knob >1LPM (this is not flowing from the pipe. There is a 5-6 liter puddle under the pipe that appears unflowing but we pumped about 14 liters from it and the level did not change at all.)
valleyfire
11-05-2007, 12:04
Hey Greentick18d,
I am planning a trip about this time next year so I was wondering if you could answer a few questions?
How is the weather in that section this time of year
Is there a lot of people on the trail
Where the shelters crowded
Thanks in advance for any info
greentick
11-06-2007, 19:31
Hey Greentick18d,
I am planning a trip about this time next year so I was wondering if you could answer a few questions?
How is the weather in that section this time of year
Is there a lot of people on the trail
Where the shelters crowded
Thanks in advance for any info
Weather was great highs were upper 50s. Lows around freezing. But I would watch the forecast up til the last minute as I suspect the weather in November can be volatile.
There were tons of people on the trail. Around the dayhikable features (like Charlie's Bunion and Mt Cammerer lookout) there was a pile of dayhikers. Saw about 6 SOBOs.
The Leconte shelter had 4 empty spots Thursday night but Peck's Corner and Cosby Knob were filled up to capacity.
HikerRanky
11-07-2007, 14:03
[quote=Greentick18d;443473]Weather was great highs were upper 50s. Lows around freezing. But I would watch the forecast up til the last minute as I suspect the weather in November can be volatile.
quote]
I can attest to the fact that weather up on the AT in November can be volatile. Several years ago, I was up there going up Alum Cave Trail to LeConte to Boulevard to Newfound Gap.... Weekend Trip...
Left Alum Cave Trailhead, temp was 68 degrees.... At LeConte Lodge, low got down to 25 degrees... All across the Boulevard, temp was in the mid 30's. Wind was blowing about 15 mph. Newfound Gap was at 41 degrees and 15 mph winds....
I have seen several inches of snow (6+) come in mid November to LeConte and Clingman's Dome that time of year too...
YMMV...
Randy
HikerRanky
11-07-2007, 14:04
Weather was great highs were upper 50s. Lows around freezing. But I would watch the forecast up til the last minute as I suspect the weather in November can be volatile.
There were tons of people on the trail. Around the dayhikable features (like Charlie's Bunion and Mt Cammerer lookout) there was a pile of dayhikers. Saw about 6 SOBOs.
The Leconte shelter had 4 empty spots Thursday night but Peck's Corner and Cosby Knob were filled up to capacity.[/quote]
HikerRanky
11-07-2007, 14:08
Weather was great highs were upper 50s. Lows around freezing. But I would watch the forecast up til the last minute as I suspect the weather in November can be volatile.
Sorry, also meant to mention that I would recommend checking the weather at the Sugarlands welcome center if possible if you can... They have a phone number (865) 436-1200 extension 630 ....
valleyfire
11-07-2007, 17:16
Thanks guys for all the info. I will be picking everbodies brain for the next several months so that i can get this trip planned out. I would really like to hike somewhere in the park that I dont have to worry about tripping on a ton of people and would like to camp near as few as possible.
Thanks again yall
Rasputen
11-07-2007, 19:37
Sorry, also meant to mention that I would recommend checking the weather at the Sugarlands welcome center if possible if you can... They have a phone number (865) 436-1200 extension 630 ....
This might help in the weeks leading up to a hike.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX
Dakota Dan
11-07-2007, 21:37
Hwy 441 to top of Mt LeConte to NewFound Gap via AT would make a pretty good weekend semi-loop hike. Are there any restrictions camping on LeConte, other than being too close to the Lodge?
wrightsphoto
11-08-2007, 00:13
check out www.mtleconte.com (http://www.mtleconte.com)
Not sure if theres any resrictions or not...
Hwy 441 to top of Mt LeConte to NewFound Gap via AT would make a pretty good weekend semi-loop hike. Are there any restrictions camping on LeConte, other than being too close to the Lodge?
The shelter is the only place you can camp.
WNCW's weather forecast calls for temps in the 20's in the mountains tomorrow night. Yeehaw!
greentick
11-11-2007, 21:00
This might help in the weeks leading up to a hike.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX
I used that link and this at weather.com to extrapolate a forecast.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/local/TNNPGRSMNC:13
I felt well prepared when we went in.
Nightwalker
09-02-2008, 00:41
A few weeks ago when I was up there, there seemed to be water on that side of Newfound Gap. The springs at the shelters were low but usable. On the other side of Newfound Gap the AT is too dry to hike.
Has anyone been in the Smokies in the last few weeks that would be able to comment on current water availability?
Has anyone been in the Smokies in the last few weeks that would be able to comment on current water availability?
Nightwalker this might help, scroll to the bottom for water report, although I don't know how often it is updated. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm
I know someone that hiked from Newfound Gap to Standing Bear last week, 8/24, plenty of water at all shelters and falling form the sky through that section. They said other hikers coming NOBO from Fontana reported water to be low at Mollies Ridge.
The spring at Spence Field Shelter was very slow on Sunday, 8/31/08. Probably a quarter mile downhill from there was a stream that would provide plenty of water.
Bulldawg
10-15-2008, 12:44
Rather than start another thread I figured I'd respond in this thread I found by searching.
I am doing a dayhike with the wife out to Charlies Bunion on 10/25, what is the water situation if anyone knows? Thanks!
sliderule
10-15-2008, 21:33
I am doing a dayhike with the wife out to Charlies Bunion on 10/25, what is the water situation if anyone knows? Thanks!
The spring at Icewater is pretty reliable. I have never seen it go dry. And the water fountain at Newfound Gap usually works, too.
sliderule
10-18-2008, 20:33
Here is a recent report:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=711972#post711972
sheepdog
10-18-2008, 20:42
There were tons of people on the trail. Around the dayhikable features (like Charlie's Bunion and Mt Cammerer lookout) there was a pile of dayhikers. Saw about 6 SOBOs.
The Leconte shelter had 4 empty spots Thursday night but Peck's Corner and Cosby Knob were filled up to capacity.[/quote]
Was any of the sobo's Dr. Grace Doolittle. I ran into her between Hotsprings and Erwin. She was a hiking machine.
papa john
10-18-2008, 20:45
Rather than start another thread I figured I'd respond in this thread I found by searching.
I am doing a dayhike with the wife out to Charlies Bunion on 10/25, what is the water situation if anyone knows? Thanks!
I will be out there as well. Starting from Clingman's Dome. Heading to Hot Springs. Maybe we'll see you on the trail!
Bulldawg
10-18-2008, 21:04
I will be out there as well. Starting from Clingman's Dome. Heading to Hot Springs. Maybe we'll see you on the trail!
Yell "BULLDAWG" if you see us! When ya starting? We plan on being at Newfound sometime around 9 or 9:30 Saturday morning.
greentick
10-18-2008, 21:18
I will be out there as well. Starting from Clingman's Dome. Heading to Hot Springs. Maybe we'll see you on the trail!
Me and mine are heading south from Sam's Gap on the afternoon of the 28th, plan on hitting H/S on the 31st. Might cross paths with you as well.
papa john
10-18-2008, 21:49
Yell "BULLDAWG" if you see us! When ya starting? We plan on being at Newfoundland sometime around 9 or 9:30 Saturday morning.
Not sure, we are being picked up in Hot Springs at 7:30, so we will be getting a late start.
Me and mine are heading south from Sam's Gap on the afternoon of the 28th, plan on hitting H/S on the 31st. Might cross paths with you as well.
We'll be in HS on the 30th. Not sure if we'll stay the night or head back right away. We'll keep an eye out for you though.
Bulldawg
10-18-2008, 21:54
Not sure, we are being picked up in Hot Springs at 7:30, so we will be getting a late start.
Well you have quite the hike from Clingman's back to even the Newfound lot. How far you plan on going your first day? If you are being picked up at 7:30 in Hot Springs, I can't imagine even being on Clingman's until 10 or so I would think.
You keep an eye out for me though, yell at me if you see me!!! I'll have my wife with me, so I know I won't be setting any speed records. But I gotta get off the mountain in time for dinner to be served in the Casino.
papa john
10-18-2008, 21:57
Well you have quite the hike from Clingman's back to even the Newfoundland lot. How far you plan on going your first day? If you are being picked up at 7:30 in Hot Springs, I can't imagine even being on Clingman's until 10 or so I would think.
Going to Icewater Springs Shelter. We won't get into the shelter until late in the day so probably won't run into you unless you hang out all day.
I hear there is a great view about 25 yards down the Sweet Heifer Trail, so be sure to check that out.
Bulldawg
10-18-2008, 22:06
Going to Icewater Springs Shelter. We won't get into the shelter until late in the day so probably won't run into you unless you hang out all day.
I hear there is a great view about 25 yards down the Sweet Heifer Trail, so be sure to check that out.
I'll try to remember that. Like I said, the wife hikes sort of slow, maybe 1.25 to 1.5 miles per hour. That is one reason I want to be leaving the lot at Newfound by 9. I think it will take us until noon to make the Bunion. Lunch at the Bunion. Breaks at Icewater both ways. Back out to Newfoundland hopefully by 3 or 4. That is the plan anyway.
papa john
10-18-2008, 22:24
I'll try to remember that. Like I said, the wife hikes sort of slow, maybe 1.25 to 1.5 miles per hour. That is one reason I want to be leaving the lot at Newfound by 9. I think it will take us until noon to make the Bunion. Lunch at the Bunion. Breaks at Icewater both ways. Back out to Newfoundland hopefully by 3 or 4. That is the plan anyway.
If we get out by 10 am, we should run into you as you are heading out. Just under 11 miles to Icewater. I figure I should make the shelter by 4 at the latest.
Trajectory
12-20-2008, 22:16
Right after Christmas I'm hiking to the Mt. Leconte Shelter and then on to Icewater. I'm thinking of taking the Rainbow Falls Trail from Cherokee Orchard Road to Mt. Leconte.
Is that a scenic route to LeConte? Also, since I may be arriving at the LeConte shelter after dark, are the water source and privy well marked so you can find them at night?
OldStormcrow
12-22-2008, 10:07
The last time that I was at LeConte shelter the water came from a metal hand pump down near the lodge. Don't put your tongue on it, though.....it'll be about 0 degrees there tonight!
Ashepabst
12-23-2008, 12:50
Right after Christmas I'm hiking to the Mt. Leconte Shelter and then on to Icewater. I'm thinking of taking the Rainbow Falls Trail from Cherokee Orchard Road to Mt. Leconte.
Is that a scenic route to LeConte? Also, since I may be arriving at the LeConte shelter after dark, are the water source and privy well marked so you can find them at night?
Rainbow Falls is a fun route. The falls are impressive if the water's up or normal. I haven't been to the smokies in a while so I'm not sure how well the area is recovering from the drought. If I remember correctly, there's at least one outcropping along the way with views. And it's a northern slope so it should be classic smokyGreen.
[quote=Ashepabst;744424]Rainbow Falls is a fun route. The falls are impressive if the water's up or normal. I haven't been to the smokies in a while so I'm not sure how well the area is recovering from the drought. quote]
I was in the Smokies last week. Water is all back to normal. There are no water problems at all right now so I would suspect the falls should be flowing quite nicely.