GSMNP thru

[Duramax22]

Has anyone done similar to this. How was it?

Sat- drive to fonatana get shuttle from fontana to davenport, hike .9 to davenport shelter
sun- 14.8 to tricorner knob
mon-12.6 to icewater springs
tues-13.8 to double spring
wed-13.5 to spence field
thur- 16 to fontana

Anyone know of the parking situation in fontana? any info would be wonderful.

[Buffalo Skipper]

I have asked the Fontana question lately, but we changed our plans. Regardless, all the advice was to park at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center (upper parking lot). As the Dam is a security risk, it is patrolled frequently, and vehicles parked here are frequently observed by security and police. Advice was also to advise the staff at the Dam, so that they were aware of your vehicle.

Hope that helps.

[Llama Legs]

I did the exact same hike 2 years ago on the same days of the week. First day - stay hydrated. Same for Clingman's climb. I saw 12 bears in 5 days, two at the shelters ;)

[Llama Legs]

oh, I skipped Davenport...sorry

[bigcranky]

Parking at the dam is fine. The mileage is reasonable for a hiker in good shape.

[MuddyWaters]

Unless you just have your heart set on SOBO, going NOBO you will probably have more company, and an easier drive home most likely. You will drive much of the way back toward Davenport from Fontana to get home.

[jorhawle]

The day to tri corner will be awfully demanding. You might consider Cosby knob that night. You should still be able to hike Cosby to ice water. Plus you might get to catch the sunset at Charlie's bunion...if not you will at least miss the majority of the crowds.

[chelko]

The climb from Davenport gap to Tricorner Knob is a long one.

[Poppins]

Hiking sobo davenport gap to springer in march, this info is great. I might stay at Cosby the first night then icewater on night two. Sunset at the bunion will be awesome.

[TomN]

If you go Northbound you can park at Standing Bear Farm and he can shuttle you to the start of the hike.

[philbio75]

I hope to do this section this summer. As TomN suggeted I will park at standing bear, shuttle to fontanna and hike back.

[greentick]

Not that 2 stays at Cosby Knob shelter qualifies as a large sample but both times it was full and both time there were several interesting and entertaining characters...