So, my wife and I are heading out in October to hike the Smokies Southbound. (I already have a thread going in the shuttles section about rides so here I am not looking for that info.)
I have been trying to get an idea of which shelters to stay at for which nights.
We will have 8 full days of nothing but hiking.
There is 1 extra day on the front end in which we will use as the day of getting to the trail and start our hike so I don't count this as a full day and will keep the miles small.
This will give us a total of 9 days to hike and make our way to and from the trail, and on the 10th day we will drive home so we can be at work the next day.
Here is a rough itinerary so far:
Day 1: Get a shuttle from Fontana to I - 40. Hike ~ 2.8 miles to Davenport Shelter for the night.
Day 2: From Davenport Shelter, hike ~ 7.1 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter for the night.
Day 3: From Cosby Knob Shelter, hike ~ 12.9 miles to Pecks Corner Shelter for the night.
Day 4: From Pecks Corner Shelter, hike ~ 10.4 miles to Newfound Gap and hook up with a prearranged shuttle to Gatlinburg. Stay in a hotel in Gatlinburg for a shower, good hot meal, nice bed and a resupply.
Day 5: Take shuttle back to Newfound Gap and hike ~ 4.5 miles to Mt. Collins Shelter for the night.
Day 6: From Mt. Collins Shelter, hike ~ 8 miles to Silers Bald Shelter for the night.
Day 7: From Silers Bald Shelter, hike ~ 11.8 miles to Spence Field Shelter for the night.
Day 8: From Spence Field Shelter, hike ~ 5.4 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter for the night.
Day 9: From Mollies Ridge Shelter, hike ~ 12.4 miles to Fontana Dam (NC 28) for the night.
Day 10: Drive home.
We are not interested in visiting Gatlinburg for pleasure, but do like the idea of staying the night in a hotel, and this is a good place for it. Plus there are many an option of good eating, and it can all be walked to easily so no need for a shuttle in town. (Just there and back, and I think I can arrange that.)
We are not trying to set records, but would like to take our time to get from one end to the other. Saying this, I know some of my days are big, but this is why I am posting this. There seems to be a good deal of shelters along the way, but these seem to be the ones that will work for us, by looking at the guides. So, if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them.
I can't think of anything else at the moment, so I will post this. (I will probably think of something after it's posted though, usually do...)
Thanks.