I prefer not doing that 10.2 mile road walk as the shoulders are narrow. However, have driven it several times to/from Wallace Branch and walked it almost entirely one other time taking an offered ride in the middle of a downpour when 8 miles into it. Outdoor 76 Outfitters in Franklin may offer a shuttle. I took one one time from Franklin. There's NO Legal Camping on that 10 mile stretch. Thomas Reeses's Bartram 1st Edition as offered contains excellent trail descriptions, elev profiles, and Mileage summary covering the 108.2 miles of the Bartram. No maps so you'll need the two Nat Geo maps. Might be a good trail for your typical trip duarations and having a dog along. The trail is much quieter than the AT.
I wouldnt recommend that roadwalk with dogs, I wouldnt recommend it with no dogs. Most of those roads don't really have shoulders. And the crossing of 441 is a little treacherous. I know The Hike Inn does shuttles for the Bartram Trail, I've heard they are a little pricey. https://www.acorntrailguide.com/comp...e-Inn&Itemid=0
Or you could make it in to 2 trips.
Thx for contact..I called outdoor 76 today and got a list of shuttlers..also spoke to a few hotels in Franklin..didn’t realize Ron doesn’t own the sapphire or BI anymore...looks like leaving truck at NOC and making that drop from Cheoah is best option for ending. I’d likely stay in franklin night before hike and could leave resupply box for last leg of nobo hike... I’m sure it’s a pricy shuttle as google says hour and half drive from noc to southern terminus. I will be buying your guide soon! Glad I just switched back to Verizon as ATT service in those parts is awful!
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Just ordered...thx
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I just got back from hiking the Bartram Trail on Monday, and can tell you my buddy had his phone (with Verizon) and had service at the beginning of the road walk. He pretty much had service (on the peaks at least) over the entire trail.
Side note, I used this TR Trail Guide on my hike, and it says there is no parking at the trailhead at the beginning of the road walk. There is now actually small gravel lot directly across the road when you come down heading north with a sign that says Bartram Trail parking. We had two cars, so we were able to leave one there and shuttle ourselves around Franklin to Wallace Branch. I'm assuming this parking lot went in after the book was printed and will be reflected in the 2nd edition. The guide is great overall, much more accurate and easier to read than the one I had from the early 2000's. Have fun, this is a great trail with some really nice views now that most of the leaves have dropped.
-tagg
I, too had service there (tmobile). North of the AT crossing at Wine Spring, I think all the way to Cheoah, I had no service.
Thanks for the update about the parking area. I can get that changed, I only have a few printed at a time. I just received new box today though, (maybe hand write it in? or maybe send a note along with it.)
And thanks for the compliment on the book. I've got got several more I'm working on now for different trails.
Thanks to you for taking the time to put the guide together! The other one was so outdated that when we did the Georgia section last month my buddy joked that we should be write a new one when we finished up NC. Then your guide came out right before we left, so perfect timing. Regarding the parking area, if someone uses their GPS for 1400 Hickory Knoll Rd like you have in your book, the lot is right across the street and has room for a dozen cars. It's also right next to a house, so it felt like a safe spot to leave your car.
-tagg
A compilation of short trails in NE Georgia, and possibly one on the Cohuttas, those may be combined together. And another for the Nantahalas.