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Hey. Im looking for a nice stretch to hike on the BMT and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Looking to do about 50 +/- miles. I only have 5 days and am not a very experianced hiker. One problem is transportation. Its just me and a friend, so how do i get back to my truck? Hitch Hike? Is there shuttles any where? Cabs that can be called to some back country road? We were thinking about starting at Springer Mt. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
-Mishap
generoll
05-10-2009, 19:16
Try the section through the Smokies from Twenty Mile to Bryson City. The folks at the Hike Inn will let you leave your car there and will shuttle you at both ends. If you have two cars then just drop one at each end. For shorter mileage hike from Fontana to Bryson City. If you have your heart set on starting at Springer then you might consider getting off at hwy 60 and having the folks from the Hikers Hotel pick you up. They'll also suttle you to Springer if you like so you could drive to Dahlonega, spend the night. Get an early shuttle to Springer and get picked up three days and a little over 30 miles later.
Ox97GaMe
05-10-2009, 21:13
I agree.. easiest sections to hike that would include shuttle services would be in and around the Smokies. since you are coming from the south, I would say the easiest to access might be Bryson City or Cherokee areas. You might even be able to hitch between these locations. This also gives you the option of taking in some side trips if you decide to hike more than 10 miles/day, or you could find points to get out of the park if you decide to do less than 10 miles/day.
do the AT, BMT, Duncan Ridge loop in GA. You don't have to worry about getting back to your car.
do the AT, BMT, Duncan Ridge loop in GA. You don't have to worry about getting back to your car.
Isnt that well over 50 miles?
take-a-knee
05-11-2009, 06:53
Isnt that well over 50 miles?
The actual loop is 55 miles, IIRC. plus you have to access the loop from Neel Gap, Lake Winfield Scott, or Three Forks unless you want to leave a vehicle unattended for a week.
The actual loop is 55 miles, IIRC. plus you have to access the loop from Neel Gap, Lake Winfield Scott, or Three Forks unless you want to leave a vehicle unattended for a week.
Whats IIRC?
take-a-knee
05-11-2009, 17:27
Whats IIRC?
If I remember correctly. I can't believe an old man is telling a "text-age" person what an acronym means. That means, unlike most folks your age, you don't have a life that revolves around electronic gadgets. There is hope for the future.
IRRC = If I recall correctly.
The older you get the more often you need to use it :-?
Hikerhead
05-11-2009, 18:39
Isnt that well over 50 miles?
You're thinking of the AT and BMT loop which cross each other just north of Fontana Dam in the Smokies at Sassafras Gap.... I believe that loop is close to 400 miles.
So has any one done this trail recently? Do i need good compass/orientering skills? The only information I found on BMTA.ORG was a link that brought me to a forum on WB.net that no one had posted on in 4 or so years. Where can I find information on where it starts, maps, water sources?
I am a little confused over the "no posts in 4 yrs" remark. This forum is fairly active.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=415
Did you check out this page?
http://www.bmta.org/HikerResources.htm
Has quite a bit of the info you asked.
In brief, the maps you need are:
USGS topo maps for the first 45 miles Some WBers just may be able to forward them if you ask nicely. ;)
Trails Illustrated Topo Map #781 - Tellico and Ocoee Rivers (http://www.ngmapstore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=330&itemType=PRODUCT) covers from Scroggin Knob (mile 44, near Rich Mt. Wilderness in Georgia) all the way to the Smokies (mile 190). New edition (released June 2006) shows BMT in continuous yellow highlight across both map panels. $9.95
Trails Illustrated - Great Smoky Mtns National Park Map #229
In the wilderness areas, you need basic map reading skills. Nothing too difficult, but more than the "blaze to blaze" hiking of the AT.
This info may help you out for overall impressions. (http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php/Benton-MacKaye-Trail/Benton-MacKaye-Trail-Thru-Hike.html)
As for water info, see the map reading skills of above.. OR.
Rumor has it some rather nice WBers may be able to forward you a rough PDF databook for the BMT. Similar to the AT databook. :)
take-a-knee
05-11-2009, 22:07
So has any one done this trail recently? Do i need good compass/orientering skills? The only information I found on BMTA.ORG was a link that brought me to a forum on WB.net that no one had posted on in 4 or so years. Where can I find information on where it starts, maps, water sources?
If you are refering to the Duncan Ridge Trail, Dances With Mice is the resident expert. Do a search for his posts and the DRT and you'll find all you need. Tim Homan's Hiking Trails of North GA is a must read also.
Well thanks alot. Very helpfull. And if any one out there would like to help me out with a map it would be much appreciated.
[email protected] Thanks again, see ya on the trail!
Mishap
DRT Map
http://www.n2backpacking.com/maps/georgia/duncan/Duncan%20Ridge%20Detail%20Map.JPG
http://www.n2backpacking.com/maps/georgia/duncan/Duncan%20Ridge%20Profile%20Map.JPG