View Full Version : Will I get snowed on from Sam's Gap to Erwin
58starter
10-25-2011, 17:04
Will be hiking Sam's Gap to Erwin Nov 8-11th. What are the chances of snow?
I snowed on me in Early April of this year between Erwin and Elk Park.
I have the right gear was just wondering if anyone has been out and seen snow this time of year.
Had you seen this yet? http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?77844-Wayah-Bald-to-Fontana&p=1210701&highlight=#post1210701
(http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?77844-Wayah-Bald-to-Fontana&p=1210701&highlight=#post1210701)And that's way south of where you'll be hiking.
Tennessee Viking
10-25-2011, 19:05
My family says its been frosting the last couple weeks in Kingsport. Erwin should be colder.
PM 10-K or call Johnnys for the local weather. I would say chances of flurries but nothing more.
Kerosene
10-25-2011, 20:27
Most definitely it could snow this time of year. I saw 12 degrees, 40 mph sustained winds, and 6" of fresh snow atop Roan Mountain in late October 2008. Be prepared, but my bet is that you'll get temps below 40 at higher elevation, perhaps some frost, but probably not much snow. Frankly, I'd be more concerned with extended rain at a temperature below 45.
Morpheus
10-25-2011, 20:38
You really have to check the forecast one week at a time. I hiked mid November '09, Roan Mtn. to Erwin. Sunny, temp 40-70 for 4 days. It was a freak warm front that only lasted that long. I forgot how early it gets dark & had to headlight hike several hours in the dark a couple of nights. Hot Springs to Damascus is some of the most beautiful balds.
Emerson Bigills
10-25-2011, 21:48
Will be hiking Sam's Gap to Erwin Nov 8-11th. What are the chances of snow?
I snowed on me in Early April of this year between Erwin and Elk Park.
I have the right gear was just wondering if anyone has been out and seen snow this time of year.
I saw some small patches of snow on Round/Jane Balds and Grassy Ridge yesterday. Apparently it snowed a bit last Thursday night up there. The weather has been quite warm since late in the weekend, so it is likely gone and posed not problems in getting around, but this time of year, you could wake up to a surprise at the higher elevations.
Just watch the weather forecast and subtract some temps for the elevation. If it is close, plan on it. Better weather than expected is always welcome.
Probably not...and most probably not any significant amounts that would cause any trouble. One thing's for sure though - when there's a lot of snow in that section the trail can be a beast to find. I bet I've hiked this section 15 times and when there's a foot of snow or more 2 miles north and south of Big Bald I almost always get off the trail because I can't find it.
daddytwosticks
10-26-2011, 07:19
I agree w/Kerosene. Seems like everybody worries about snow that time of year. From what I've seen, a cold rain (mid 30's, low 40's) coupled with wind is far more dangerous than snow. :)
Waterbuffalo
11-04-2011, 19:54
There was snow last night in the high elevations of the smokies Clingmans got about 2 inches but was melting fast per snowman2. Looking at this weeks weather looks like it might be clear for you.
The weather forcast for Tuesday is 38 and 67 in the lower elevations. The higher elevations Spivey to Erwan should be about 7 degrees cooler.
Will I get snowed on from Sam's Gap to Erwin
Que sera sera.
wornoutboots
11-05-2011, 13:34
Prepare for it, I hiked through there a week or so ago & hit it on Iron Mountain & Roan
58starter
11-12-2011, 15:13
Well, I completed my hike on Thursday afternoon. We had a wonderful time and ran into 8 South Bound thru hikers and one hunter. Plenty of water from Sam's to Spivy Gap, one water source between Spivy and No Business of any flow. One hole of water from No Business to Erwin. Weather was great only rained Wed night and not at all Thursday. Hope you guys get out there and hike soon.
I had snow last week in the GSMNP.