Official new reroute to BMT

[Cadenza]

Stiffknee is my favorite trail in the combined wilderness areas, precisely because it is one of the most remote.

Parking at Farr Gap is the most remote spot that can be driven to, the farthest location off pavement, at least on the TN side. Probably Wolf Laurel holds that distinction on the NC side.

35 years ago I spent countless hours studying forest service maps looking for the most remote spot I could find.
Farr Gap and Stiffknee trail have been my favorite place ever since.

To give you some idea of how much I like it,....I have asked that my ashes be scattered in the campsite about 1/4 mile down from the saddle where the trail turns right and drops down alongside Little Slickrock Creek. Over the years I have spent more time in that campsite than in any other, maybe even more than all other campsites combined.
Someday I will spend eternity there. It's MY spot.

[TNhiker]

Probably Wolf Laurel holds that distinction on the NC side

i think wolf laurel is worse........

that drive to there was awful...........

[TNhiker]

Someday I will spend eternity there. It's MY spot.

duly noted........

and when i pass there in the future, i'll tip my bowl to ya.............

[Tipi Walter]

I recently spent 12 days on the BMT and pulled some of the reroute from Beech Gap and Cold Spring Gap to Bob Bald and the Hangover. While I was out I ran into several "important" people concerned about this reroute like Sgt Rock and Rick Harris---


Here is Sgt Rock setting up camp on Bob Bald and now part of the BMT.


Sgt Rock watching Hog On Ice setting up his custom cuben tarp.



Here are some hikers on the new BMT as it connects Bob Bald to Hangover Mt---I call it Four Mile Ridge.



On the last day of my trip I run into Rick Harris (left) who does alot with the BMT and this new reroute.



Uncle Fungus and Rick Harris.

[PatmanTN]

I agree that this is a good reroute for BMT hikers but I fear the Fodderstack trail will be overgrown within a year or two. Even now it gets harsh in summer.

[SGT Rock]

There is a good chance of that.

[Tipi Walter]

I agree that this is a good reroute for BMT hikers but I fear the Fodderstack trail will be overgrown within a year or two. Even now it gets harsh in summer.

Yes but it's easy to work with simple trail tools. If these tools can keep upper Slickrock and Brush Mt and the North Fork open, old Fodderstack/Stiffknee shouldn't be a problem.

[SGT Rock]

After a few trips in the wilderness off the BMT I highly recommend carrying at least a folding saw and some snips.

[Tipi Walter]

After a few trips in the wilderness off the BMT I highly recommend carrying at least a folding saw and some snips.

All my backpacking trips now include these two tools---