Wayah Bald to Fontana

[V Eight]

Doing this section starting this Wednesday.:banana

Other than being a little dry anything thing else out of the ordinary I should know?

Any good tent spots that might not be in the AT guide?

[jeramie75]

A beast of a climb out of NOC. Plenty of small tent sites on your way up that climb. Great views back down into the river gorge. Once past Stecoah Gap, the trail seems to get repetitive. You will swear that you past through that gap 30 mins ago. Sounds fun! Enjoy your hike.

[G-WALK]

Its a huge climb out of the NOC, but Cheoh Bald is great, was up there last month. This is some video i posted...


http://youtu.be/wuGnobBZrmw

[daddytwosticks]

The views along this section are fantastic. DO climb the fire tower platform after Tellico Gap. It feels like you are in the clouds. Always wanted to camp-out on this platform on a clear (and storm free) night and view the stars. :)

[burger]

Just did this section a couple of weeks ago. Make sure you stop for a bite at the River's End restaurant at NOC--great food. But the climb out of NOC is steep and endless, so don't do it on a full stomach!

[Lyle]

The climb from NOC looks daunting on the map. I was psyched for it. Left NOC at about 1PM and arrived at Sassafras shelter in plenty of time for a relaxing evening. Expect it to be tough, take your time, and tell yourself you will and are enjoying it. Keep a positive attitude about it and it will be a pleasurable hike. Some tough hiking after Sassafras, but my group actually extended our day by 6 miles once we hit our planned stop. Was a lg, but enjoyable day.

Just stay flexible, don't "fight" the mountains, and enjoy. This attitude works on most any section. :-)

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!

[V Eight]

My pace going in and coming out of the "gorge" will
be slow & steady.

Thanks everyone

[Blissful]

Cody Gap is a good tenting spot.

This is a tough section, imo. I do not like the Stecoahs at all. I have done it both north and south and both were tough. But if you get weather like the other hiker had with his video, it makes the relentless ups and downs less of a chore.

[scope]

Any good places to camp between Wesser Bald shelter and Rufus Morgan shelter?

[Kerosene]

My newbie 21-yo daughter and I completed the 6.9 mile climb out of NOC to Sassafras Gap Shelter in 4 hours on a warmish May afternoon. She could probably have gone faster if she didn't take so many darn pictures and strike up a conversation with everyone we met! We did stop for an early dinner at the Shelter before continuing up to Cheoah Bald and eventually camp at Locust Grive Gap. The climb out of Stecoah Gap was very steep, but frankly it isn't all that long. Everyone was trying to convince her that this was a really really tough section, but we didn't have any problems until some of the rocks coming down into Fontana.

The Wayah Tower offers absolutely incredible views, and we really liked the view over The Jumpoff. Time your hike so you can eat a meal at River's End Restaurant at NOC.

[SassyWindsor]

Hope you enjoy the decent into and climb out of NOC :eek:

[SassyWindsor]

Nice video G-Walk

[Papa D]

Should be a nice walk for you - rain and cooler weather is coming in - you'll have a great time - hike out of NOC isn't as bad as they say - pretty smooth - I did see some bear cubs about 2 miles north of the NOC last time I was there.

[58starter]

I spent thursday thru tuesday in Frankin, NC area. The leaves were beautiful. I made it over to the NOC and there were several section hikers coming thru on Monday. One had started from Springer Mt and was hiking to Fontana. It was a beautiful week to hike.

[JaxHiker]

Just did this section a couple of weeks ago. Make sure you stop for a bite at the River's End restaurant at NOC--great food. But the climb out of NOC is steep and endless, so don't do it on a full stomach!
I'm still having wonderful dreams about the Tail of the Dragon burger and their awesome wings. Mmm. Definitely some awesome views from the towers.

http://images.idratherbehiking.com/trips/at/nc/deepgap2noc/IMAG0137-640.jpg

[V Eight]

<img src="http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=0&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="0" alt="" id="vbattach_0" class="previewthumb"><img src="http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14171&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="14171" alt="" id="vbattach_14171" class="previewthumb"><br>
<br>
This is what I woke up to Wednesday am at Cold Spring shelter.<br>
Below, is what the trail looked like northbound. <br>
<br>
<img style="margin: 1px;" src="http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14172&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="14172" alt="" id="vbattach_14172" class="previewthumb"><br><br>I made it to Tellico Gap, when I met some Bear hunters coming back down from the Wesser Bald area<br>because there was over 3" of snow 40 to 60 mph winds, with tree branches falling all over the place. That was enough for me. I called my favorite shuttle driver and friend Bill E. and he came up and brought me back to Franklin. I went out for a couple days for a nice fall hike, Snow was not in my plan. <br><br>This quick trip did allow me to test some cold weather gear. Found out my 25 degree bag is more like 35, as my legs got cold even with polypro long johns. But the down jacket I got on sale this summer kept me toasty.<br><br>Water was low everywhere. Wayah Shelter had good water, but ever where else was very low or dry, even with the rain. Cold spring shelter had only a tiny trickle coming out of a small pipe. There was no water all the way to Tellico Gap.

[V Eight]

I don't know what all the coding is doing in that post. I did not put it there.

[scope]

I didn't even notice, I was so awe'd by the pictures!!! I'll be there 3 weeks, and was not considering snow conditions. Guess I better, huh?!

[V Eight]

Thanks Scope! My "camera" is my Droid-X. I find it takes better pictures on the trail than my Olympus.

I knew a cold front was coming and I almost scrubbed the trip. I knew it was going to rain Tue and last into Wed but, no one said anything about snow. I was in that shelter Tue afternoon looking at weather dot com and a couple of others and the radar did not even show any clouds in the area.

Even with the Rain, Snow and Wind it was still better than a day at work ;)

[erichkopp]

Wow, snow already! I've camped on the Wesser Bald fire tower - nothing like getting to see the sunset AND sunrise with a view like that in a single trip. I lived for half a year off the road that the Wesser Creek side trail eventually brings you out to and used to do after-work trail runs up to the fire tower and The Jumpoff a couple times a week. NEVER got old. I really love that section of the AT.

[Papa D]

yep - confirmed snow on Mollies Ridge - there a couple of nights ago - beautiful

[tndrfoot]

yeah i woke up thursday at siler bald shelter to this. At wayah tower the wind was awefull prob 50 mph 30's temp and it was 80 two days before!14180
1417814179

[tndrfoot]

I stayed in the room next to you tues at the budget inn in franklin while it was raining ready to go out wed morning.

[V Eight]

Tndrfoot, Where you as surprised to the snow as I was?
It sure was a different kind of hike, hiking in the snow really have to watch your footing.
Going down hill was sure an adventure in places.

Like I said Tuesday, I'm on the 10 year thru hike training program.
Some good lessens learned over those two days.

[JaxHiker]

Man, that looks awesome!

[Kerosene]

I guarantee you guys will always remember hiking in the snow! Unusual weather tends to serve as a highlight to a hike, even if the weather was difficult.

[Miami Joe]

Jealous!!!