AT through Smoky Mountains

“A buddy and myself are going to hike the AT through the Smokies in June. Should we carry a tent or just plan on using shelter houses?”

“Last year, I did that AT in the Smokies in July. We took a tent just in case we needed it. We used it once for Birch Spring Gap because it is no longer a shelter, but a campsite. I suggest taking a tent, but alot of people don't. Have fun! Let me know if you have any more questions.

Not sure if the bee problem at Derrick Knob Shelter will be the same this year, but last year it was invaded by bees. They go away at night, but Lord! I got stung twice. Not cool. Ummm.. lessee... If you haven't been to Pecks Corner Shelter, it is very nice spot and newly renovated.

Cosby Knob Shelter is a slum in my opinion. Icewater is always, always crowded. Mt. Collins is.. okay. The privy is the best out of all the shelters - has a boardwalk to it and a crescent moon that is handy for holding on if you know what I mean.”

“whoa whoa.. in case u forgot?.. GSMNP frowns on camping in tents while ON the AT.. they specifically mention it in their regulations.”

“out of curiosity, why?”

“DT: It's a good question.. not sure I know the answer, Josh.

SG: Sorry if I sounded abrasive.”

“probably to keep people(weekenders) from thinking they can fall back on a tent if the shelters are full? just a guess, that way most are more likely to get their permits?
is it a big problem, people not getting permits?”

“CW: Just out of curiousity.. which direction do you plan on going, (N/S or S/N) and how many days would you like to take to complete 70 miles in?”

“DT: Well, tents are allowed if you are an AT 'thru-hiker' but the definition of what constitutes a 'thru-hiker' is apparently somewhat under interpretation. The rangers recognize that you could have reservations for a shelter, but it could be full once you arrive due to the influx of thru-hikers, and describe this condition as 'overflow'.

Supposedly, thru-hikers are supposed to know this as they pass thru GSMNP, and by etiquette set up a tent at the shelter. As for tents being used by others, they have never liked this, and this offense, and 'stealth' camping (doing an overnight anywhere on this 70 mile section of the AT that is NOT a shelter) is a punishable offense.

I do remember several times that ridge runners checked permits, and fined those people who were not in compliance.”

“I hiked the Smokies a few years back and Mr. Ranger Sir would not let us pass until he arranged a permit for my group that included shelter space for each night out. Each shelter was full every night and everyone had a permit. I'm not sure if the same rules apply, you might want to check that out.”

“Short answer: Get reservations and use the shelters, it's the law and life is much easier when you aren't dodging rangers.

Ductape: A couple of reasons.

1. less impact (or controlled, concentrated impact) if everyone uses the shelters and people should be less likely to overcrowd the site if they know they are facing a very large fine if they get caught tenting out or show up without a permit.

2. Keeps stupid/sloppy folks separated from bears.

You are required to use shelters where they are provided with the exception of birch spring
cause it is now a tent site. You are also required to get reservations for the shelters.

Sometimes a-holes without reservations just show up and crowd out the shelters. I do believe that no shelter is full until everyone who needs shelter is inside as sometimes weather or injury forces you to change plans. But some folks think that the rules don't apply to them. I, at the very least, carry a tarp for this reason.”

“capn: oh exactly.. I thought everyone knew that.. prolly every NPS is that way.. I thought their question was more related to the advantages of shelters vs tents.. maybe I misread their post??”

“SG: by the way.. my fav shelter in that stretch is TriCorner.”

“but you are right.. Pecks is really a nice site as well.. and luv the new design/facelifts all the AT shelters are getting.”

“According to the GSMP a thru-hiker is defined as someone whose hike starts fifty miles before the park.”

“LeConte has been redone like Icewater, Silers Bald and Pecks.”

“Mikey: ya.. I have overnighted in all of those.. :)..”

“What documentation is required to go through on a thru-hikers permit. None of the places south of the park require permits. I'm assuming you need to just fill out one of the trailhead cards at some place like Standing Indian. Anyone know?”

“( laughs cos he knows why DH is asking this )”

“...uh...yeah...I've been hiking for 50 miles...yah, that's it, that's the ticket...”

“I think they just smell your armpits, DH.. and decide how many days you have been on the trail..

:)”

“I tried to be discreet. We do have reservations too. I just would prefer not to have to hike from Peck's Corner to Davenport on Sunday. I can do it, just prefer not to.

I had thought of the grunge factor too. Uhhh, yeah, we just showered at Fontana Inn, that's the ticket.

We are hiking northbound now. The title of a recent article I read just came to mind "Plausible Deniability"”

“heh.. pecks to davenport?.. u guyz are gonna be sooooo tired.

when did you switch to northbound, and y?”

“Well, thats the flaw of that definition. There really isn't a good way to prove it and by the time a ranger asks you you've been on the trail so the grunge factor is already in effect.”

“We had to flip to north because of the reservations. Other people already had reservations for the tail end of their trips since you reserve based on the first day.

The southbound reservations are 29, Collins, Russell.

The northbound ones are russell, dbl springs, and pecks.

I think this is what you call lose/lose. 4 or the 5 of us have been getting in shape for this. Binks has cut back on the smokes for his team effort and should be good to go as well. We'll be fine, just tired.

The only time the grunge issue is a concern for me is when we actually get the permit and all smell like a McDonalds restaurant and have pancake syrup dripping off our chin.”

“lmao!!

"smell like a McDonalds restaurant and have pancake syrup dripping off our chin."”

“ehww, how I miss the Smokies!!!

Gotta get back to Tennessee, Jed!”

“I live in Tenn and have been to the Smokies once about 12 yrs ago. I guess I need to get up there sometime.”

“Ewker, I can't say I blame you. I try to stay the hell away from the Knoxville area too.”

“dayhiker, your a Auburn fan so I know why you don't like to go to UT LAND”

“Good come back. UA through and through on my end. I can hold my head up high in TN for the first time in 8 years.”

“Once I figured out how to get to the Smokies and bypass Pigeon Forge, I love going there now.”

“I usually get off the interstate at Maryville and go straight in. The April trip will start at Davenport, so it'll be interstate the whole way.”

“I always go through Townsend to get to GSMNP.”

“Exactly!!.. but I didn't used to go that way.”

“The hell of it is, I am old enought to remember when Pigeon Forge was a wide spot in the road and Gatlinburg basically "shut down" at the end of October.”

“hehe.. me 2 james. I made my first trip to the smokies when I was 15.”

“The Smokys in June?!?!?!

Your f**kin' nuts!!”

“WD has a point. You should skip the tent and just take a baseball bat to keep all of the 8 million people away.”

“Can you say "Crowd Control"?”

“
I've been looking.

"The hell of it is, I am old enought to remember when Pigeon Forge was a wide spot in the road and Gatlinburg basically "shut down" at the end of October."
chili36

Even I'm not that old. Gatlinburg has always been beautiful in the winter.

TownDawg - I suggest you get Blount and Sevier county maps. They show most of the streets and roads.”

“It has been beautiful ns, but in before Ober Gatlinburg opened for the skiers, a lot of businesses shut down in November.”

“NS: That's why I used to call you on the phone all the time for, to get your expert guiding!..

:)”

“nowslimmer's back!!!!
welcome back dude.”

“Yay! Nowslimmer's back!

How ya been buddy?”

“TownDawg: We will hike S to N. Figure 7 days would give us plenty of time, maybe done sooner. Understand the initial climb from Fontana Dam is pretty steep!”

“CW: There are several here at TT-land who can speak to that initial 3500 foot climb up to Shuckstack from Fontana.. hehe.. it's not as bad as it used to be.. seems like they keep re-routing the trail a little to include more switchbacks.. (joy).. but hey.. 7 days??.. piece of cake.

:)”

“I wouldn't worry about people only in places that are close to the road. Once you pass Charlies Bunion
until you get to say Snake Den Ridge not many people...I have hiked there at any given time of the year and sometimes saw only 3 or 4 people.... Have fun the Smokies are great.
Barbara
PS I would take a tent just because you could fall into bad weather and can't make it to the shelter. The weather up on top can be unforgiving at times. And yes rangers do come up and check permits.”

“tents are allowed if the shelter is full and you are a thru hiker... you still need a permit tho... thru hikers do not have priority for shelters... that's my understanding of the rules... ?”

“CGhiker: It's been my experience that once you get past the 'one-day' distance?.. the crowds fall away VERY quickly..

I love it when I am at least two days out.”

“i hiked it last year in july with smokygirl and brought a tent... if i did it again i would bring a tarp instead... there was only one shelter with a space problem and that was icewater springs... all the others had plenty of room... i think the crowds are (thru hikers) generally thru the area by end of may... i did it during the week... not weekend... so i'm sure that had some to do with it too...”