View Full Version : Devil Fork Gap to Erwin advice
My next section will be Devil Fork Gap into Erwin. Anybody with any thoughts, advice etc on this hike? I will be going in late March. It looks to be 31 miles. I am assuming that by then, if not now, the water situation will be good.
Lone Wolf
01-22-2008, 20:45
water will be good. it's a nice little section. have fun. make sure you have cold weather gear
Rain Man
01-22-2008, 21:00
Wife and I did the day-hike section from Spivey Gap to Erwin last Easter. Our water froze in the tubes from our packs to our bite-valves, even though we were sweating from the exertion.
It was so cold and windy at No Business Knob Shelter, that we didn't even hang around to have lunch. Oh, and no privy. Here are some photos--
Rain Man at Spivey Gap (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16030)
Stich (Mrs. Rain Man) (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16029)
No Business Knob Sheter (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16033)
Early the next morning when I started out from Erwin towards Indian Grave Gap, it was 11 degrees, as I recall.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
Rain:sunMan
.
I did this exact hike just before Christmas - it was my first experience on the AT. We had some bad weather - snow and ice - in the higher elevations and got pretty cold but other than that it was a truly enjoyable experience. I've been hooked since and have hikes planned through April when I hope to complete the trail from Springer to Damascus. But anyway...
The hardest climbs were the first 3 miles, the hike up Big Bald and if I remember right there were short but steep climbs up Little Bald and High Rocks. The last significant climb was after crossing Spivey's Gap. After that it was pretty much smooth sailing all the way to the Nolichucky River.
No Business Knob shelter about 6-7 miles before Erwin has some good tent sites adjacent to it - we put the tent up about 30' from the shelter. Didn't see anyone on the trail but 2 hikers and a hunter between Devil's Fork Gap and Erwin.
There was plenty of water between Devil's Fork Gap and Spivey's Gap but I don't recall any water (on the trail) from Spivey's Gap to Erwin. I'd recommend tanking up at the creek just before you cross the road at Spivey's Gap. A hiker at the hostel that shuttled us to DFG gave us the tip about that last creek at Spivey's which I was grateful for.
Thanks,
Thomas
River Runner
01-22-2008, 23:53
I did this very pleasant section last spring with friends. Big Bald was pretty windy, but the views more than made up for it. The last couple of miles before Erwin seemed like they would never end due to those incessant switchbacks. I could see the river for a long time, but it seemed I would never get there...
Tennessee Viking
01-22-2008, 23:54
Main thing is just be prepared for the climb up from Rector Laurel Road up to Sugarloaf Gap. The branch on the climb is running good even the small waterfall. The spring at the Rock is running good. Be sure to pack raingear; every time I stepped onto this ridgeline, it has rained or snowed heavily. I was up at Frozen Knob one time when a surprise storm rolled up from behind Flint Mtn, lightning hit near me several times.
The only water concerns would probably be Big Bald Mountain. The reports I heard that the springs and branches that were once well flowing dried up last year.
There has been some heavy ATV acitivity at the Rector Laurel Road trailhead, so keep an out for the blazes. Several ATV tracks have cut on and off the trail.
Tennessee Viking
01-22-2008, 23:57
Wife and I did the day-hike section from Spivey Gap to Erwin last Easter. Our water froze in the tubes from our packs to our bite-valves, even though we were sweating from the exertion.
It was so cold and windy at No Business Knob Shelter, that we didn't even hang around to have lunch. Oh, and no privy. Here are some photos--
Rain Man at Spivey Gap (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16030)
Stich (Mrs. Rain Man) (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16029)
No Business Knob Sheter (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=16033)
Early the next morning when I started out from Erwin towards Indian Grave Gap, it was 11 degrees, as I recall.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
Rain:sunMan
.I am guessing this was the big spring snow storm that we had. I hit the forest roads on Flattop the day after it. Flattop was still getting 50-60 mph gust winds.
Possum Bill
01-25-2008, 00:58
Here is my trail log for that exact hike (Devil's Fork Gap to the Nolichucky River) that my wife and I took last year in April. It may give you some insight and ideas on campsites, etc. It sure is one of the most beautiful hikes in this area in my opinion... I'm sure you'll enjoy it: http://racerscup.com/hiking/2007-04-29/dfg_to_nolichucky.htm
Take care,
Possum Bill
It is hard to beat that as a trail description! Thanks!