Conditions Davenport Gap to Newfound
What are the trail conditions from Davenport Gap to Newfound Gap on the BMT?
There are no conditions for that section of the BMT. lol. BMT takes the lower NC trails when entering the park and heading close to Big Creek station then over to Davenport Gap.
Rock sent me this link a while back. It has general conditions, but probably not the latest winter conditions.
http://www.bmta.org/BMTAwork.php
''Tennessee Viking'
Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer
I have no idea what you just said dude.Originally Posted by Tennessee Viking
In other words, has anyone been anywhere in the park around Mt Sterling???? or Newfound Gap?? Anyone talked to any thru's? Any TJ's with conditions in the Park.
Chaco,
As of Feb 19th the rd. to Newfound Gap is open. I was there.
Mt. Sterling Rd.? Don't know but I'd say it's o.k.? but best to maybe have 4WD.
NoBo this past week said the snow in the Park was 4ft. deep around Clingmon's but once he dropped to what?....4K' then it was o.k. He had some sweet MSR snowshoes though.
Blowdowns on the BMT? I'd say that'll be the biggest problem.
Blowdowns north of me for 8 miles? Looks like a bomb went off, but that's 2nd hand intel.
Hope this helps.
Just messing with you Chaco.
The BMT doesn't run the same ridgetop as the AT. It runs down in NC along the Lakeshore Trail to Smokemont to Sterling then up to Davenport.
I have an old classmate that works up at Purchase Knob. I will try to get some info from her.
''Tennessee Viking'
Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer
When I looked at the map I saw that it was on the same road as Newfound. Figured we could get there somehow. I just didnt really understand what you said. I got it now.
I've heard that there are 4' drifts in the high country thru the local news. But in my experience they don't know what conditions are 20' past the trail heads.
SGT Rock
http://hikinghq.net
My 2008 Trail Journal of the BMT/AT
BMT Thru-Hikers' Guide
-----------------------------------------
NO SNIVELING
What I have noticed on the TN side of the park is that the most severe blowdown areas occur between 2100 and 2800 ft elevation. Not sure exactly why that would be, but it is pretty consistant on the trails I have hiked on this side of the park to gather info for SMHC and the park service. It is also consistent with reports I have been getting about the AT between NOC and Fontana.
The reports that we have been getting from hikers in the park is that snow is deep at higher elevations and there are a lot of trees down. Deep and Lots can be rather vague terms.
Road closures have made it difficult to get a good assessment of the park. I know first hand that the snow was knee deep along Mollies Ridge to Spence last week. I also observed that the snow was not really an issue until I had gotten above 4000 ft eleveation.
I got reports 2 weeks ago that snow at NFG was waist deep in some areas. Crews at that time had tried to get to some of the blowdowns, but didnt have snowshoes and only managed to get about a mile each direction before they bailed out. Fri, Sat, and Sun were pretty nice days on this side of the park and we had light drizzly rain on Mon. I would image that a lot of the snow is probably gone now. however, they are calling for colder temps and more precip for later this week. That generally equates to more snow on the ridgelines.
This is getting ridiculous.
you talking about the snow, or the thread. lol.
Between snow, ice, rock slides, and roads closed for repaving, it has been an adventure getting into some areas of the park this winter. I am SOOOOO looking forward to spring.
Thats kinda where I was goin. I have cancelled atleast 3 hikes because of it. Seriously thinking about snowshoes for the both of us.
Snow shoes are good. Fun. Etc.
My hiking partner and I were planning to go NOC > Dick's Creek Gap the second week in March. That's a week from Saturday. This is the only week we have to hike this year. Given the trail conditions we decided to punt and go hike the Florida Trail through Ocala NF.
Given all the hikers that we meet from Florida up here, thought it was time to return the favor...
If I may use this thread, what are the conditions from NOC to Fontana in terms of snow depth? I'm trying for a hike next week.
Anything above 4000 ft will be rough
checkout NWS link for GSMNP - 2 days ago snow depth and temps
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview....rsion=2&max=61
Newfound Gap = 30" snow. Low = +9
Mt Leconte = 46" snow. Low = -1 high = +6
hope spring comes soon, I'm waiting to start north til last week of March
Was at Newfound Gap yesterday. Hiked the Thomas Ridge Divide tr. The snow is still deep. The trail had 2" of fresh fine dusty snow on a hard crust this morning. Sank 3-4 inches w/ each step compared to knee deep last weekend. Managed 1.6 mph pace w/o pushing hard. Hwy 441 was iced over and closed. Plow driver slid into a snow bank. Was brutal cold and windy last night during my visit to the trees.
The trail was here before we arrived, and it will still be here when we are gone...enjoy it now, and preserve it for others that come after us
50in of snow on Mt LeConte today.
Talked to a freind of mine in TN on Sunday who said 3 feet at N. Gap at that time. He does trail maintanence but not there, just the skinny he heard.
any guesses on a date when the AT will be cleared thru GSMNP? by mid April?
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