fontana dam P.O.

[nightshaded]

i'm slowly finishing organizing my mail drops...
from what i've been told so far, the P.O. at fontana dam is not very close to the AT. so i'm wondering how convenient it actually is to access...is it a reasonable walking distance/hitch from the trail? if not, what would be a good alternative location for a drop at the dam? i know the hostel accepts drops if you're staying there, but i don't want to be committed to staying there...
any advice would be appreciated!
bone lady

[karadactyl]

The confusing thing about this spot on the trail is that there are TWO "Fontana Dams" - Fontana Dam (5 miles away) and Fontana Village (2 miles away). From the Hilton (shelter) you can easily walk to the dam's visitor's area where there is a pay phone and call for a ride to Fontana Village (shuttle is not too expensive - resupply is). Getting to the other would require a hitch. When I was there last year (late March) there were virtually no cars as it wasn't tourist season. Just make sure that you send your package to the right Fontana Dam and if you send it to the village, that you're going to get there on a weekday as they have limited hours. Resupply there is EXPENSIVE. What I ended up doing was getting a larger resupply at the NOC (30 miles/2 days before Fontana Dam) and making that plus a few purchases in the Village last through the smokies. There's a good little hostel about 3 miles after you leave the Smokies called Standing Bear Farm where you can eat to your heart's content and get a little resupply.

[karadactyl]

Above post was from Bucket, btw... (forgot to sign it!)

[Chaco Taco]

If you do a zero at SBF, sometimes when Curtis goes to pick up hikers he will give ya ride and stop somewhere for you to resupply

[1/4 moon]

Ahhh..Standing Bear Farm, I remember stopping in there, great resupply on the honor system and dijorno pizza, but to get back on topic, I had a package shipped to the village. there is a pay phone at NC28 along with restrooms and a vending machine. You can call the shuttle which i think is listed in the companion but is also listed on the bulletin board there as well, only cost like $3 iirc

[Think Spring]

Talked yesterday with Nancy at the hostel at Fontana to confirm the snow reports,...(yeah, they got smacked)... and to be sure they'll still accept drop's for folks staying with them. For me, I'm staying and thus the drop is a no-brainer. For those also thinking of staying, Nancy advises to make a call to them prior to leaving NOC on a NOBO.

[Pedaling Fool]

I dump my stuff off at the "Hilton" and do the 2 1/2 mile walk to the P.O. It's an enjoyable walk after 163 miles of lugging a backpack over Georgia/NC mountains.

[Blissful]

Talked yesterday with Nancy at the hostel at Fontana to confirm the snow reports,...(yeah, they got smacked)... and to be sure they'll still accept drop's for folks staying with them. For me, I'm staying and thus the drop is a no-brainer. For those also thinking of staying, Nancy advises to make a call to them prior to leaving NOC on a NOBO.

We stayed at the Hike Inn last year - kind of expensive but they had what you need, including a run to Robbinsville for resupply and dinner. And they accept mail drops, do your laundry, etc. And be sure you call ahead - limited # of rooms.

[nightshaded]

thanks for the input...can anyone confirm this: 50 Fontana RD
Fontana Dam, NC 28733-6105

as being the address for the PO nearer to the trail?
thanks!

[Blissful]

My book just says Fontana Dam, NC and the zip.

[Pedaling Fool]

My book just says Fontana Dam, NC and the zip.

Agreed, not enough room in that village for two P.O.s

[nightshaded]

Agreed, not enough room in that village for two P.O.s

so if i mark the box as "general delivery" and have the city/zip on the lable, i should be ok?

[Lone Wolf]

so if i mark the box as "general delivery" and have the city/zip on the lable, i should be ok?

your name
general delivery
fontana dam, n.c. 28733


hold for AT hiker

[Lost My Mind]

Thanks, Wolf. I'm sending a SMNP supply box today to Cerberus. Last time we were at Fontana, the resupply was minimal. They seem to cater more to bikers and folks staying in the cabins than to hikers.

[snowhoe]

I had my maildrop sent to the hostel in the village and let me tell you I was soooo pissed. I was planning to stay at the hostel but it was full so I asked if my mail had come yet? The guy went back and said it had. I said could I please have it? He told me there was a $30.00 fee for sending mail here. I said you can keep the damn box and I left. Luckly some guys I were hiking with had extra so I could make it through the smokies.

[Sly]

The confusing thing about this spot on the trail is that there are TWO "Fontana Dams" - Fontana Dam (5 miles away) and Fontana Village (2 miles away).

Huh, the Fontana Dam PO is in Fontana Village. I don't know of another 5 miles away.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Lone Wolf]

Huh, the Fontana Dam PO is in Fontana Village. I don't know of another 5 miles away.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

there's a PO a few miles past The Hike Inn

[Sly]

there's a PO a few miles past The Hike Inn

Yeah, but I don't think it's called Fontana or Fontana dam. Checking usps.com and mapquest brings me to the village.

[Sly]

The only other town I see near there on rt 28 is Stecoah.

http://tinyurl.com/27oqvt

[highway]

your name
general delivery
fontana dam, n.c. 28733


hold for AT hiker

Also, add expected date of arrival if it will be there long, as you send it before you start the trail. She holds for 30 days. Longer if you will put in your expected (best guess) date of arrival

Nice woman, the postmistress:

Debra Williams, 828-498-2315

I just spoke with her after realizing that the Hike Inn charges $30.00 to receive a package if I do not stay. I felt it exorbitant. The Post Office is shown in Appalachian Pages guide as west of the trail intersection on 28, "about 1 mile", but there are shuttles. I am sending my box there