Franklin to Unicoi & Fontana to Franklin

[nu2hike]

I'm still trying to figure out a good way to arrange a shuttle for my next trip! As I've posted before I plan to start at Unicoi & hike to Fontana!
I'm now considering the possibility of leaving my car at Franklin & getting a shuttle back to Unicoi. I would then get another shuttle at Fontana at the end of my hike to take me back to my car at Franklin.
The other possibility would be to get a shuttle from Franklin to Fontana and hike back to my car!
I figure my pace will be fairly slow at the beginning and think I will need to resupply at Franklin so having my car there will be very convenient!
With either of these scenarios how long will the shuttles take? Will this be more expensive than just being shuttled from Fontana to Unicoi?
thanks

[jbwood5]

You could use Jeff Hoch for your shuttle from Fontana to Franklin (or helper Andrea who works with Jeff and Nancy). Contact the Hike Inn near Fontana. You are probably looking at $100+ for this shuttle nowadays. It was $80 a few years back when I did it. Web page: www.thehikeinn.com (http://www.thehikeinn.com)

Ron from the Budget Inn in Franklin or Hiawassee can get you to Unicoi from Franklin (I think). Check this page out: http://www.havensbudgetinn.com

[nu2hike]

Thanks! I figure it will be more expensive to be shuttled twice. Once I can firm up the cost I will be better able to decide. I like the idea of leaving my car near the midway point in the event I need to leave the trail sooner than anticipated . Plus having a car to get around in Franklin would be nice! I just need to decide if it would be preferable to hike SOBO back to my car or continue NOBO & get a shuttle back to Franklin!