Breaking Up the Smokeys at Newfound Gap

[Ladyofthewoods]

Recently, I ran into Winter Walker on the trail in Georgia. He recommended getting picked up at Fontana Dam and getting a ride to Newfound Gap (maybe after a night off trail) and heading South back to Newfound. Then reaching Fonanta again, resupply, head back to begin North at Newfound again. Says it is easier to hike South with the elevation gains/losses. In looking at the map, I can see why he says that, but I wonder what other experienced thru-hikers have to say about this plan? Suggestions?:-? Thanks for your help!

[WingedMonkey]

That's a lot of shuttle arranging. It's all up and down up and down.

[daddytwosticks]

I'm a section hiker. This is what I plan to do when I'm ready to hike the Smokies. Sounds like alot of trouble if I was thru-hiking. But do what makes you feel best. :)

[CrumbSnatcher]

Recently, I ran into Winter Walker on the trail in Georgia. He recommended getting picked up at Fontana Dam and getting a ride to Newfound Gap (maybe after a night off trail) and heading South back to Newfound. Then reaching Fonanta again, resupply, head back to begin North at Newfound again. Says it is easier to hike South with the elevation gains/losses. In looking at the map, I can see why he says that, but I wonder what other experienced thru-hikers have to say about this plan? Suggestions?:-? Thanks for your help! i think you meant hike south back to fontana.

[CrumbSnatcher]

HYOH if thats what you want to do thats cool,lots of shuttlers in that area.
for a northbounder it is a good climb out of fontana dam and then alot of up and down to NFG. its a long climb but not that tough.
after that the trail north of the gap is alot easier,alot of thruhikers do thier first 20 miler on the north side of the park.

[bigcranky]

Not a cheap shuttle. I paid The Hike Inn about $100 to go from Fontana to Newfound Gap for a section hike. The trail is a direct route, but the road loops waaaay around. And of course you'll need to pay for the same shuttle twice.

If you are a thru-hiker you won't find the climb out of Fontana very difficult. You've already hiked about ~170 miles at that point, much of it steeply uphill.

[Ladyofthewoods]

i think you meant hike south back to fontana.

Crumbsnatcher..yes, I meant back to Fontana..sorry.

[waasj]

Lots of driving to avoid a few hills. I section hiked Fontana to Davenport, and it's not too bad. For every up, there is a down, and vice versa, but if you want to use the shuttle services and the expense is not an issue, go for it!!

[waasj]

And don't worry about the "Shuckstack Fullpack" issue. Just gear down, take a few restbreaks and have at it!

[Kerosene]

I don't think it's worth it to avoid the Shuckstack and Clingman's Dome ascents, especially as several steep NOBO descents will now turn into steep uphills (such as Thunderhead). However, if you have the money you could have a shuttler meet you at Newfound Gap with a re-supply rather than heading into town or lugging a lot of food from Fontana.

[max patch]

Thats the stupidest thing I've read so far today.

[Ladyofthewoods]

Thats the stupidest thing I've read so far today.

Sorry, Sky Valley..the only stupid question is the one not asked. I just wanted more experienced opinions. I've received them. I'll probably not do the shuttle like this, but rather may plan on a pickup at Newfound Gap to resupply and possibly get a nite's rest from the lack of sleep I'll be getting due to having to sleep in the shelters. After the rest, back at it. Thanks for the opine.'s.

[drdewrag]

NOIW you're talking!!!

[moldy]

Reminds me of the guy in AWOL's book who makes it to Erwin and has the outfitter drop him off at the top of Roan Mt so the guy can hike back south to Erwin then be driven back to the same spot at the top of Roan Mt so he can head North on the AT all to avoid climbing a Mountain. I think that in this case why go for Newfound Gap when it's just as easy to drop you off at Clingman's Dome. I guess you will be taking the cog-rail to Mt. Washington also.

[ken209]

Take your time it's not that bad.

[ChinMusic]

Not a bad plan for a section trip but WAY too much trouble for a thru. The fact that you have made it to Fontana means will be fine with climb into the Smokies.

[jj2044]

I have never understood people tryin to get out of doing some part, or Mountain or skipping this or that... to me the struggle is what makes the AT worth doing, without the struggle or pain the reward at the end isnt nearly as sweet.

[JustADude]

Since I'm section hiking breaking up the smokies is exactly my plan. Probably will do Fontana to NFG. Not sure about NoBo or SoBo. Still trying to figure out if it is best to park at Fontana and shuttle around to NFG and hike south or park at NFG and shuttle around, or park some place else and then shuttle back to the car both ways. I will be interested to see the recommendations.

[ChinMusic]

Since I'm section hiking breaking up the smokies is exactly my plan. Probably will do Fontana to NFG. Not sure about NoBo or SoBo. Still trying to figure out if it is best to park at Fontana and shuttle around to NFG and hike south or park at NFG and shuttle around, or park some place else and then shuttle back to the car both ways. I will be interested to see the recommendations.

IMO, Fontana is the preferred/safer place to park.

[Kerosene]

I'd drive to Hike Inn, stay the night, and have Jeff shuttle you up to NFG the next morning.

[Rain Man]

I have never understood people tryin to get out of doing some part, or Mountain or skipping this or that... to me the struggle is what makes the AT worth doing....

I'm pretty much right with you, ... but do understand that some folks are doing GREAT just to be out there and have all sorts of issues (health, injury, age, time, money, etc) and don't blame them for doing what they have to do to make their hike work for them. I don't mind if they hike north, south, or sideways, slack-pack, are supported, whatever. (As long as they walk the AT and don't skip or blue-blaze whole chunks of the AT itself, then falsely claim to have thru-hiked the AT. That, I do mind. Not that my vote counts for anything.)

Rain:sunMan

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[ChinMusic]

I'd drive to Hike Inn, stay the night, and have Jeff shuttle you up to NFG the next morning.

Good plan. I'd still leave my car at Fontana.

[jacob_springsteen]

The climb up ShuckStack was not that bad IMHO. I'll tell you, the grind up to Mollies Ridge is what I remember. There are some nickel and diming sections between Mollies Ridge and Double Springs. For the OP, maybe just go with a few days food from the Fontana PO to keep it light and resupply at NFG? And by the way, the hike from NFG to IceWater is relatively easy going. That whole section, Icewater to Standing Bear I did in a day once. Had my boots been better I would done well with the mileage but I was a walking cripple by the time I got to Curtis's. So, yeah, it is a ridge-walk in general.

[stranger]

To me this sounds like a fair bit of arrangement for little benefit. This section is not the easiest, and I doubt there would be a substantial positive difference in hiking it southbound simply to make it easier, but yes...in theory the trail basically climbs steeply out of Fontana, then less steeply towards Thunderhead, and then even more gradually towards Clingmans, so perhaps it makes sense on paper.

I would just go nobo if that was the direction I was going, I wouldn't single this section out, I've been through there twice...it's no drama

[d.o.c]

i ended up starting my hru hike at fontana dam i found it no harder out of shape than most of the trail in shape... ha jus take breaks and after clingmns dome its all down hill from there to maine.

[bamboo bob]

I met some very nice people who always hiked down. They took the tram up Wildcat in the whites hiked down southbound and then did it again , up the tram and down northbound. Also Mt Washington.

[Six-Six]

IMO - downhill is not easier. I did the SOBO section last year - Clingman's Dome to Fontana. My knees, hips and ankles didn't appreciate me very much after that last downhill to the dam. In April, I will NOBO that same section and not look back.

[CrumbSnatcher]

i heard it more than 1 time
most hikers& thier knees prefer uphills

[JustADude]

Hike Inn...shuttle you up to NFG...

Kind of out of my price range...was hoping for some hostel prices...still may try to fund a shuttle and leave the car at a hostel...thanks again for the suggestions...

[Doctari]

From Newfound gap to Fontana, really the only hill you will avoid from a practical point of view, is the climb up Shuckstack, which is the first hill once you cross the dam. You will still have to climb: Mt Collins, Love Mt, & Clingman's dome, to start your "down hill" hike. On a thru hike (Ive only done it at the end of a section hike) I would just push on, once you get to the top of Shuckstack, it's a relatively easy ridge walk to Newfound gap. For me, the drive from Fontana to Newfound gap took 2 hours, (to move my car to my take out point) Google maps says about 1 hr 30 minutes, but that's not allowing for traffic, which in Cherokee can way Suck! So at least 4 hours car time added to your trip. Add to that, 2 extra chances to leave something behind in someones car (hiking poles are a popular choice :-) ). Plus around $200.00 added cost, if that cheap with the cost of gas going up almost every day.
IF missing that first climb is your main goal, get a ride to the parking lot of Clingmans dome X2. That would allow you to miss the above mentioned climbs AND the one out of Fontana. And, as has been mentioned, HYOH!!!

[peakbagger]

I did it on a section hike, we had two cars and were beginning a section hike and spotted cars so that we could split the hike up. It was a lot of driving, granted we saw some nice territory but it did suck up at least a day. I think we did the following

Drop car off North end of park, drive to Newfound Gap, throw on backpacks and hike for a couple of days back to car. Then drive back to Fontana dam, drive back to Newfound Gap and then hike to shelter just north of Clingmans (it was dusk by the time we got to the shelter. Then we hiked south back to the car at Fontana. I cant remember the mileage but a shuttler would have to charge a lot.

[Falcon]

I did this section solo in early October from NFG to Fontana and really enjoyed it. Saw lots of bear sign but not a single bear. I'm glad I did this section from N to S because there are still some tough climbs. I stayed in shelters 3 nights and completed the 40 miles in 3 1/2 days. Good trip.

[jacquelineanngrant]

If you want to break up the Smokies you can catch the NOCs free shuttle to Gatlinburg at the gap. Hitching out of there is not as easy as folks think. Got a free ride from the NOC people both ways last year.

[ChinMusic]

delete......

[JustADude]

Kind of out of my price range...was hoping for some hostel prices...still may try to fund a shuttle and leave the car at a hostel...thanks again for the suggestions...

Whoops...I totally looked at the wrong Hike Inn...why don't these places come up with original names? Ugh...the one that came up 1st in Google was for GA not NC...I'm going to look into this place...

[ChinMusic]

Whoops...I totally looked at the wrong Hike Inn...why don't these places come up with original names? Ugh...the one that came up 1st in Google was for GA not NC...I'm going to look into this place...

When I read that post I was thinking "good luck". I had no idea you were posting about GA......lol

[Sly]

IMO, that's nuts. There's no reward in reaching the bottom of a mountain. While hiking uphill may seem harder downhill, your knees and feet will definitely disagree.

[DripDry]

I did Fontana to NFG NOBO as a Section in September without trail legs, and didn't think it was bad. The climb out of Fontana and the hike to Clingmans is a bit of work, but neither was overwhelming. Clingmans to NFG was a pretty easy section overall (IMO).

[jesse]

[QUOTE=Sly;1240926... There's no reward in reaching the bottom of a mountain...[/QUOTE]

Well said.

[Blissful]

Going south or going north, the Smokies are the same up and down wise imo. I saw no real difference and I've done it both ways.

[Blissful]

While hiking uphill may seem harder downhill, your knees and feet will definitely disagree.


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