Parking at Newfound Gap now iffy?

[Midway Sam]

I have read here that longterm parking at Newfound Gap was relatively safe. However, while trying to arrange a shuttle with Jeff & Nancy at the Hike Inn from the Newfound Gap parking area to NOC, they tell me "there's been numerous cases of break-ins and vandalism at Newfound, maybe consider parking at N.O.C. and shuttling to Newfound, then hiking south."

Is it really that bad of a problem now?

[Lone Wolf]

you can park at Sugarlands visitor center long term. no problems there

[Midway Sam]

you can park at Sugarlands visitor center long term. no problems there

Hitching ain't my thing. Thanks for the suggestion though. I just can't imagine anyone would bother my POS Kia up there...

[DesertMTB]

I'm doing the same hike March 15. Our dad might drop us off at the NOC and pick us up at I-40. But that's a hassle for him.

How much are they charging for the shuttle?

[Midway Sam]

I'm doing the same hike March 15. Our dad might drop us off at the NOC and pick us up at I-40. But that's a hassle for him.

How much are they charging for the shuttle?

They quoted $90 from Newfound to NOC for 1-2 hikers.

[DesertMTB]

They quoted $90 from Newfound to NOC for 1-2 hikers.

Wow. That isn't as bad as I thought.


Hopefully the weather will be a little nicer in mid March. Although hiking in the snow sounds fun.

[Lone Wolf]

Wow. That isn't as bad as I thought.


Hopefully the weather will be a little nicer in mid March. Although hiking in the snow sounds fun.

it's only 50 miles.

[Sly]

it's only 50 miles.

Inflation? 100 miles round trip, probably 3 hours, gas over $3 a gallon, wear/tear insurance.

[DesertMTB]

it's only 50 miles.

We paid about twice that to shuttle from the NOC to Dicks Creek.

[DesertMTB]

We paid about twice that to shuttle from the NOC to Dicks Creek.

No. Scratch that. We paid $80. My brain isn't working too good today.

[Appalachian Tater]

Your car is not even safe in Damascus, Virginia--there is a car theft ring operating in that area.

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24790

[Lone Wolf]

tater is FOS. there is no more "ring" operating here

[valleyfire]

what does NOC stand for?

[Lone Wolf]

nantahala outdoor center

[Hikes in Rain]

Nantahalla Outdoor Center. Also known as Wessor, where the Trail crosses the Nantahalla River. Good resupply, restaurant, hostel, motel, outfitter, whitewater, and a short hitch to Bryson City.

[Lone Wolf]

Nantahalla Outdoor Center. Also known as Wessor, where the Trail crosses the Nantahalla River. Good resupply, restaurant, hostel, motel, outfitter, whitewater, and a short hitch to Bryson City.

Nantahala, one L. Wesser with an E

[Hikes in Rain]

Hey, I can spell any given word at least three different ways. Sign of creativity. At least that's my story.

[Tennessee Viking]

There was a case of vandalism at the Alum Cave trailhead a couple months back.

[sliderule]

There was a case of vandalism at the Alum Cave trailhead a couple months back.

From the looks of all the broken auto glass on the pavement there, it must happen frequently.

[Mocs123]

I talked to a ranger the other day about the security of the Newfound Gap overnight parking, and he said it goes through phases, but recently, there have been few break ins.