Mid March Smoky Trip

[GratefulHike]

Hello all, I am brand spankin new to the white blaze community. Thank you for all the valuable information I have already gathered from here!!! Please be kind for I have many questions...... I don't have a lot of miles under my belt and haven't really kept track. My normal hikes have only been 30 to 50 miles at a time. So me and two of my buddies have decided we want to hike the smoky park in March. Ready for the questions..... here they come....

Are we crazy? Is the weather that bad this time of the year?

Bear containers. I understand there are many bears in the Smoky park and have camped where bears have been in the past but not the population like the park. I have always just used a stuff sack tied from a tree. If anyone has any good bear stories, loosing food, being chased would love to hear them. So what are your opinions about bear bagging???

How is the water supply now, has it gotten any better this winter?

Any opinions on N to S vs S to N? We have been thinking about goin N to S.

This is just the start, I am sure more questions will come to mind, but I hope to keep this thread going to help a newbie like myself or other newbies informed.

Thanks!!!!! Happy trails....

[warraghiyagey]

[GratefulHike]

Thanks for the welcome. The link seems to be dead, did it just get posted wrong somehow?

[Egads]

Welcome to White Blaze

My 2 cents

1. Possibly. I am unable to determine your mental status from this post. The weather can vary from single digits to the 70s, snow to sunshine. Be prepared for the worst condition.

2. Use the bear cables. You are more likely to lose food to the shelter mice than a bear.

3. Running water should be much better than last summer / fall. Just check with the rangers before starting.

4. I believe the S > N direction is better. I really can't speak from experience with both directions.

Cheers

Egads

[Max Power]

I hiked it N to S. I was told it was easier that route. There are bear cables at every shelter/campsite and you should use them. As Egads said, "be prepared for the worst conditions." Have fun. If you ant good bear stories go to the Great Smoky Mt Asscociation Website and look for the podcast on bear #75.

[GratefulHike]

Ok, if I wanted a good guage as to the high/low temps as it gets closer to go time, what town would I want to look at?

[thestin]

The problem with getting a weather forecast is that the towns are all in the valley and the weather can be much different up at elevation.

[EAnderson]

Ok, if I wanted a good guage as to the high/low temps as it gets closer to go time, what town would I want to look at?

It depends, but I usually use Townsend for the southern end (for hikes around Cades Cove), Gatlinburg or Cherokee for the middle, and Cosby or Newport for the northern end. Also, here is the NOAA link that gives great detail for the previous 24 hours for areas in the NP.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX

[GratefulHike]

thanks, I understand the difference in weather but at least having something to guage is better than nothing. I notice on the noaa they are saying the high's today were 50 and lows only 30 and that is at 5900ft. That sounds very very warm. Going in mid march I was going to be happy if I saw a high of 40. I guess the weather can change around there pretty quick.

[kytrailman]

Wlcome to WB-- I have done this section a few times. North to south is supposed to be easier, but I prefer south to north. The water should not be a problem at that time of the year. Hang your stuff sack from the cables and leave all of the zippers on your pack open so the mice can get out if you stay in the shelters. The weather will be variable, so plan for a little of everything. I have been there at around that same time and seen loads of snow and ice on the trail and freezing temps at night, with warm and sunny days you can wear shorts on. It is a beautiful trip. I will be there at the end March traveling to Hot Springs. good Luck.

[Tennessee Viking]

You will be hiking with the spring tourists and probably one of the first large waves of Nobos.

There is always a possibility of a freak spring snow storm like last year. Then you will also see possibilities of spring rains.

Going northbound is around a 4500 foot climb from Fontana to Clingmans in 33 miles. Then at Mt Camm its a sharp 3500-4000 foot drop in roughly 5 miles to the Davenport Gap/Pigeon River.

Grab a camping permit and keep all your food bagged and sealed.

Standing Bear Farm hostel is a good shuttle point into the Smokies.

[Stir Fry]

thanks, I understand the difference in weather but at least having something to guage is better than nothing. I notice on the noaa they are saying the high's today were 50 and lows only 30 and that is at 5900ft. That sounds very very warm. Going in mid march I was going to be happy if I saw a high of 40. I guess the weather can change around there pretty quick.

I have hiked both directions in March,eather directinn is OK,the weather is not prodictable I'v hiked in freezing rain on day and 70 next. water no problem. Have a good camera, views are great, if you are out or the clouds.

[GratefulHike]

Those of you with experience in the smokies can you look at this itenerary take a look and see if this is realistic. Since you need to make reservations I figured this should have been thought out ahead of time. Thanks for the help you have given me so far!!!

[TownDawg]

Hope you pack light. Those mileages are pretty tough considering the elevation changes.

[GratefulHike]

So is it totally unreasonable. My pack filled, with consumables is about 35 lbs. When I do 3-5 day hikes my pack is usually much heavier because I enjoy all the simple luxeries life can afford and be brought outside and to be able to provide some trail magic to people I run into. I am in decent shape, always have those few extra pounds, but I am used to averaging about 3mph. I was thinking on this trip I should be able to average about 2mph. Does 2mph sound reasonable?

My averages are based on mostly PA hikes, so I am really looking to those of you with experience to help me out. Thanks in advance to all, the information I have gotten from these forums so far has proven invaluable.

[TownDawg]

I went back and looked at it again. Seven days.. is in the 6-8 day range of people that do both sections.. (I'm have only done one or the other the 3 or 4 times I've been over that route).. I'm thinking about 35lbs a minute, and think you are in the normal range for a 6-8 day hike. 2mph.. hMmmmm.. it's possible, and you will have to average that rate to make your itinerary.. (multiple your miles and add in the 1/2 per 1000' foot adjustments and double check if there is enough sunlight from sunrise to sunset.)

So hey -- it can be done, but it's going to be a bear I think. If you prepare for everything, you can always fall behind on your itinerary and make an early bail out at NFG -- so you should be good to go. March you said?

[GratefulHike]

Ok, summing it up me and my group will be hitting the trail on March 16 from davenport gap. We will be finishing up on the 21st. The kind folks at the hike inn are going to shuttle us from fontana back to our car in davenport.

So here is the new question. Does anyone know of any good hiker friendly hotels in davenport or north to stay. Looking for friendly place with hopefully a nice neighborhood bar in walking distance so we can indulge.

Any thoughts...... Who else is gonna be out there then?

[1234]

We went s to n last spring. Me, wife and 2 daughters. 7 days from the dam to mountian mama's. First day is very rough for many because your pack is at max weight and it is 100% uphill, it is a gentle grade but it is still 11 miles of uphill. Thrus in the smokeys mid march, nada. The pack is not near there yet, BUT spring breakers will be in droves, so first shelter either direction from newfound gap will be full of college students! We plan on starting at Clingmans and go north and we are on vacation and spring break so it is shelter to shelter EZ enjoyable walk to davenport gap. no worries but if the road is closed it is springer to dicks creek to be with the starters.
Do not worry all you over use panic people, most startes are so afaird of shelters it is funny. They need guidance to learn how NOT to wash there dishes in our water supply. etc etc. PS do be prepared and get out fast if things go bad weather, food or foot wise.

[bessiebreeze]

Remember - You need to have reservations for the shelters in the Smokies, if you are section hikers. Just call the park office no more than a month in advance of the first day of your hike. They should be easy to get.

[GratefulHike]

bessie thanks for the advice, already have the reservations locked and loaded with the park and hike inn