Tripod
07-10-2008, 19:27
Just spent a couple of days hiking from Newfound Gap north to Low Gap then down to Cosby campground in GSMNP. As usual there was a big crowd at Newfound Gap and several day hikers out to Charlie's Bunion. After that just section hikers and a couple of horse rider types.
Water - Slow but available. Pencil sized stream at Icewater and TriCorner. I didn't walk down to Pecks but there was a small spring running at the intersection of the AT with Hughes Ridge trail that leads down to the shelter. Cosby had a pretty good stream and a good pool.
The AT was in very good condition. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 with no blowdowns and very little erosion. Rocky in places but no more than the normal AT section in the South. Trail maintenance crews were working from Icewater to Pecks cutting back the brush.
Was fortunate to meet some nice folks along the trail. Hiked from Tricorner to Cosby with Ruth who was doing a section from Springer to Damascus. Also met Denney and company at Cosby who were going from I40 to Newfound on a section. There was another hiker who was a first timer carrying an 85 pound 7000 cc pack (his words) at Tricorner going South. He was eating lunch and had a full quart of peanut butter! Said he bought the largest pack he could find on eBay. Ah youth! HYOH I guess. :)
Weather was mostly good with some rain but the temperature was very nice somewhere in the 70's. If you visit Cosby shelter be sure to look for Smokey the rabbit. Actually seemed to enjoy a little bit of beef jerky. Low Gap trail down to Cosby campground was in excellent condition. The ranger at the campground said business was very slow this year with few campers. The campground was almost empty. Thanks to the folks at Jelleystone campground on 321 for the shower.
This finished up my section from Fontanna Dam to Damascus VA which I have done over the past 4 years. Mostly day hikes, overnighters and short sections. Where to go next????
Good hiking,
Tripod
Water - Slow but available. Pencil sized stream at Icewater and TriCorner. I didn't walk down to Pecks but there was a small spring running at the intersection of the AT with Hughes Ridge trail that leads down to the shelter. Cosby had a pretty good stream and a good pool.
The AT was in very good condition. I'd give it a 8 out of 10 with no blowdowns and very little erosion. Rocky in places but no more than the normal AT section in the South. Trail maintenance crews were working from Icewater to Pecks cutting back the brush.
Was fortunate to meet some nice folks along the trail. Hiked from Tricorner to Cosby with Ruth who was doing a section from Springer to Damascus. Also met Denney and company at Cosby who were going from I40 to Newfound on a section. There was another hiker who was a first timer carrying an 85 pound 7000 cc pack (his words) at Tricorner going South. He was eating lunch and had a full quart of peanut butter! Said he bought the largest pack he could find on eBay. Ah youth! HYOH I guess. :)
Weather was mostly good with some rain but the temperature was very nice somewhere in the 70's. If you visit Cosby shelter be sure to look for Smokey the rabbit. Actually seemed to enjoy a little bit of beef jerky. Low Gap trail down to Cosby campground was in excellent condition. The ranger at the campground said business was very slow this year with few campers. The campground was almost empty. Thanks to the folks at Jelleystone campground on 321 for the shower.
This finished up my section from Fontanna Dam to Damascus VA which I have done over the past 4 years. Mostly day hikes, overnighters and short sections. Where to go next????
Good hiking,
Tripod