Trail conditions, NOC to Fontana

[Shooting Star]

Anyone been through the A.T. from Wesser NOC to
Fontana Dam in the last week or two? What are snow
conditions like at the higher elevations? Is NC143 through
Stecoah Gap passable? Is it safe to leave a car there?

From watching the weather, I think it's been warm enough
and rainy enough to knock some snow off the peaks. I'd
love to hear from anyone who has been through there...

Thx,

SS

[roy_hiking]

Two week ago (long time for hikers) meet 3 SOBO thru-hikers and they said it was not as bad south of Fontana as it was in the park. All were carrying their show shoes on their packs.

[Papa D]

Hey there Shooting Star:

Yes - 10 days ago, I hiked from the NOC to Fontana - the trail was pretty much snow packed and icy up the hills on the north faces - never more than about 5" deep- south faces were wet and muddy but not much snow - all and all it wasn't too bad. I used some Yaktrax Pro cables for my shoes and had gaiters but that probably wasn't completely necessary. I DID see two young bear cubs playing really near Sassafras Gap - they don't completely hibernate - I didn't see (or want to see) mama bear and moved on quickly - there were lots of bear tracks later so I made a really careful food hang at Brown Fork Gap and didn't have any other problems. Have fun.

[Shooting Star]

Thx for the responses. Hopefully I can work a trip
in soon...