Just Got Back From My GSMNP Section Hike...

[ParkRat09]

...if anyone has questions about the park I've hiked almost the whole park and just did the AT there in 5 days 4 nights

[Veetack]

How easy is it from Mt Collins shelter to Newfound Gap? It's only like 4.3 miles and I'm picking some thru hikers up there tomorrow morning at around 8 or 830.

[ParkRat09]

It's not bad at all. Going down from Clingman's dome, so it's much easier than the section just before it.

[Veetack]

It's not bad at all. Going down from Clingman's dome, so it's much easier than the section just before it.

I'm well aware. I did Mt Collins to Clingman's headed south as the last leg of a 17-18 mile day a couple weeks ago. I wanted to die at the end of that.

[johnnybgood]

Give us a complete trip report with pictures.

[ParkRat09]

Give us a complete trip report with pictures.

I don't know how to add pics haha but trip was as follows:

Day 1: Fontana Dam to Russell Field (13.5 miles)
Day 2: Russell Field to Doublespring Gap (16.8 miles)
Day 3: DS Gap to Icewater Springs (12.5 miles)
Day 4: Icewater Springs to Tricorner Knob (13 miles)
Day 5: Tricorner Knob to Davenport Gap (17 miles)

Trip Notes:
Ran into 2 black bears ON the trail the first day. Had to walk past a cub that was about 8 feet to my right off the side of the trail.

It rained for 3 straight days which made it much more difficult, which is the last thing that section of AT needs to be haha.

Temperatures were fairly mild except when it was raining hard, but slept comfortably at night with temps in 40s

[ParkRat09]

I'm well aware. I did Mt Collins to Clingman's headed south as the last leg of a 17-18 mile day a couple weeks ago. I wanted to die at the end of that.

Yea I don't blame you I'd be dead too

[Bearpaw]

Give us a complete trip report with pictures.

Couldn't if he wanted. Trip report forum was wiped out a couple of months ago, along with several years of archived reports.

[P-Train]

I'm doing the exact same thing in July.
How were the water sources?
Did you climb the fire tower?
Were the shelters in good condition?

I figured I would only make it from FD to Mollies Ridge the first day. Up to 15 miles p/d is all I really care to do. Don't want to be in a hurry!

Thanks.

[ParkRat09]

I'm doing the exact same thing in July.
How were the water sources?
Did you climb the fire tower?
Were the shelters in good condition?

I figured I would only make it from FD to Mollies Ridge the first day. Up to 15 miles p/d is all I really care to do. Don't want to be in a hurry!

Thanks.

Water sources were scarce the first day, but generally you won't have an issue. They're at least at all the shelters so worst case you just hit those when you pass them. If we are still in a rain deficit here in TN in July when it's really hot then they might be harder to come by.

I didn't climb the fire tower because I was pretty much in the fog for 4 days so there was no point. I've also been up there before so I wasn't too eager to climb it again.

The shelters are in fantastic condition. They were all pretty much renovated within the last few years so they are great esp compared to places like GA. The only one left untouched is Davenport Gap shelter at the north end of the park.

I averaged exactly 15 miles per day (had two seventeen mile days tho), so I think that's a perfect pace for the park. Terrain from FD to Newfound is particularly tough.

[grok120]

I saw a cub and mother bear just past campsite 113 last Sat. They just laid right by the trail.

[Loneoak]

Hey Parkrat. Do you work a regular schedule at one store or the other. Mite want to pick your brain some soon. I met you at the Jennifer Pharr presentation downtown a few weeks back.
Shoot me a PM

[MyName1sMud]

Needs to be my next backpacking adventure.

Who is the best shuttle service for that area? Need a way back to the car.

[P-Train]

Thanks Parkrat!

[ParkRat09]

Needs to be my next backpacking adventure.

Who is the best shuttle service for that area? Need a way back to the car.

I've never actually used a shuttle service, but I have made and cancelled reservations with one before lol. They're called A Walk in the Woods and are super nice ppl with a great reputation. They'll take you anywhere inisde Park limits.

[HikerMom58]

Hey ParkRat.... My daughter and I are planning on doing your Day 4 & Day 5 section, the end of July. She is closing up a "gap". We plan on staying at Icewater and Tri-corner Knob-good to hear that the shelters are in good condition. I'm looking forward to the hike with her. Thanks for posting. Did you hang your food bag or use bear canisters through that section?

[Veetack]

Hey ParkRat.... My daughter and I are planning on doing your Day 4 & Day 5 section, the end of July. She is closing up a "gap". We plan on staying at Icewater and Tri-corner Knob-good to hear that the shelters are in good condition. I'm looking forward to the hike with her. Thanks for posting. Did you hang your food bag or use bear canisters through that section?

Icewater has the best view of any shelter I've seen in the park. Tricorner can get soggy if it rains.

[Digger'02]

...if anyone has questions about the park I've hiked almost the whole park and just did the AT there in 5 days 4 nights

Did you see any Ridgerunners?

[Rosie]

I did my very first ever backpacking trip with A Walk InThe Woods in the GSMNP. Vesna took a friend and I out for a weekend trip through the park--that's what I wanted to do to celebrate my 40th birthday. She studied with a Cherokee Medicine Man and knows alot about the edible plants in the park. She even packed a birthday candle and a twinkie as a birthday surpirse.

[PapaGarrettP]

Can't beat A Walk in the Woods. Erik gave us a ride from Davenport to Sam's a year ago. Spent the whole ride sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience on the trail. He even hefted each of our packs and recommended my son leave some stuff back in our truck (glad he did). They were very reliable and reasonable.