Thru or Section hikers near Bryson City?

[ghetto-okie]

Dh and I will be in the Bryson City area and/or near AT trail heads in the surrounding areas the week of 6/30.

I'd love to do some trail magic while we're out that way. Which trail heads are best and what's something useful besides cold drinks and fruit?

[HooKooDooKu]

Most AT trailheads near Bryson City are the trailheads for GSMNP... Fontana Dam, New Found Gap, and Davenport Gap. But if you're going to do Trail Magic in GSMNP, it requires a permit and rules you have to follow (and there might be additional restrictions due to the current health situation).

[peakbagger]

My guess is those on the trail are going to be avoiding potential contact with unknown people to avoid Covid. A hiker feed has the potential for spreading event.

[Tennessee Viking]

Hiker traffic this year is going to sporadic. You will see more Day and Section hikers than anything; maybe a handful of thru-hikers.

Plus with the whole social distancing thing, trail magic and other social gatherings is probably not advised.