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  1. #1
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    Default BMT - AT loop hike

    we are thinking of of starting north on the BMT in the park then looping back south on the AT back to the car. It looked like around a 150 mile loop hike. any helpful insights? Hoping to do this around the middle of May. I am thinking south on the AT to avoid hiking in the thru hiker bubbles as much as possible. any tips for planning this trip would be helpful. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Registered User AO2134's Avatar
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    The loop is actually over 500 miles if you do the full BMT-AT loop.

    It is impossible to make a 150 mile loop with the BMT-AT.

    You could do Springer to Fontana on AT or BMT, then BMT or AT back to Springer. But to get to Fontana on the AT alone it is 160+ miles. Probably another 180+ miles on the BMT.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by AO2134 View Post
    The loop is actually over 500 miles if you do the full BMT-AT loop.

    It is impossible to make a 150 mile loop with the BMT-AT.

    You could do Springer to Fontana on AT or BMT, then BMT or AT back to Springer. But to get to Fontana on the AT alone it is 160+ miles. Probably another 180+ miles on the BMT.


    Hey i think you missed. Im wanting to start in the park at Fontana Dam. And do a loop of the national park using those two trails. not starting at the terminus of the BMT or the AT just a smokie park loop

  4. #4

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    We did the full AT-BMT loop in 2010. Our journal can be found here: http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=317016 - it details some of the campsites where we stayed and logistics (maps, resupply, etc).

    I'm sure you are aware of the GSMNP reservation requirements.

    One thing to consider is walking a bit past the northern terminus and doing a resupply at Standing Bear before heading back south to Fontana Dam.

    We did the AT southbound and the BMT northbound as you mentioned doing, but keep in mind, that you have to camp at designated places, so even though you are going against the "normal flow of AT hikers", you'll still end up camping at the same place as many other hikers.

    Things to check out: Mt. Sterling fire tower, Mt. Cammerer Lookout tower, Charlies Bunion.

    Since you'll be in the GSMNP the entire time, the $1 GSMNP map should be all you need to navigate.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by royalusa View Post
    Things to check out: Mt. Sterling fire tower, Mt. Cammerer Lookout tower, Charlies Bunion.
    Forgot to mention Clingmans Dome as well.

  6. #6
    GSMNP 900 Miler
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    Do you have any support for resupplying? There are several resupply points.... tunnel at the end of the road to nowhere, Smokemont, side trip to Strait Fork road, Big Creek, New Found Gap, and Clingman's Dome. Unfortunately, rules do not allow and current infrastructure doesn't allow for storing any drops ahead of time (except for in a car in a parking lot).

  7. #7
    Registered User gollwoods's Avatar
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    I would start BMT sb take a nice day off at Fontana.

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