Dennis Cove to 19E

[BabySue]

I'm leading a day hike from Dennis Cove to 19E, passing Moreland Gap and Mountaineeer Shelters & Jones Falls. Sherpa Guide website says 19.4 miles. AT Distance Calculator site says over 24 miles. My hikers won't be happy if I tell them it's 20 and its really 25. Any help?

[Rowdy Yates]

The Official A.T. Data Book and the ALDHA Data Book list the mileage for this section as being 24.4 miles.

[Pedaling Fool]

Plan on 25 miles

[Rockhound]

If you can make it 2 days. Mountaineer shelter is a good 1/2 way point, sleeps 16 or 17 and has a great water source. Just 1 thing. If anyone has to take a dump walk back up to the trail and then far into the woods. Not much of a shelter fan but as far as shelters go that is a nice one and I'd hate to see it turn into a dumping ground.

[BabySue]

Many thanks. I'll likely shorten the hike by starting at Buck Mountain Baptist Church and heading N to Dennis Cove.

[Bearpaw]

Many thanks. I'll likely shorten the hike by starting at Buck Mountain Baptist Church and heading N to Dennis Cove.

The Sherpa Guide is using data nearly a decade old. A big part of that section was relocated around 2000 or 2001 to avoid the "dog walk", a 1/4 mile section where locals let their large dogs roam free to intimidate hikers.

Just curious if you've done Carver's gap to 19E already because it is a MUCH more scenic area.

[Kerosene]

Note that the relocation between the Baptist Church and Moreland Gap Shelter is very easy, winding through rhododendron thickets in relatively flat terrain. Even so, cranking out a 20-mile dayhike for folks who may not be in hiking shape makes for a long day.