Where do I go?

“A friend and I are looking to take a 4-5 night backpacking trip somewhere in either Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, or Tennessee. Please give any suggestions of specific places that would make for a good, moderate-skilled trip.”

“The Appalachian Trail in any of the states listed above.”

“sorry, i'm just a dumb arkansawer......”

“Actually, unless your a thru-hiker prospect, I'd stay away from the AT in the south for now. Them people deserve first crack at all the shelters.”

“The dude has a good point.


8)”

“Smoky Mountains. It's just a maze of backpacking trails, and the lower elevations have great wildflowers in the early spring.”

“Just because you're hiking the AT doesn't mean you must stay in a shelter. Definately yeild to the thru-hikers.”

“"Definately yeild to the thru-hikers."
Dub

Or beware of "Trail-rage!"”

“You can hike Mt.Mitchell which is the highest pt. in NC just hit 40 West and you will see the brown sign saying Mt.Mitchell follow the signs.. beautiful place with weather changes that are extrodinary.
There is also Linville Gorge Wilderness which spans over 40 miles of trails.. take 40 West to exit 103 hwy 64.. then to 181 West..then pick up 183 and the entrance road to the trials is to the left. There is no charge for staying in the gorge and you can get water from the streams on the upper trails. You can see all of the black mtns in this area also you have Hawks bill and Table rock to explore if you do all you can in Linville... but that never happens.”

“They don't own the shelters. We all own the shelters. Get there before me or shut up.”

“Or beware of "Trail-rage!""
bonecrusher


Or you could always try to blend in as a thru-hiker to avoid trail rage if you really wanted to stay in the shelters. Just don't take a bath or shave for a week before your hike, then roll around in the dirt before hand and voila--instant thru-hiker! If you need to shower for that week just buy some spray-on-ass-smell, they sell it in Spencers in a can. Cover yourself in it before your hike.”

“Yield to thru hikers? Why? They're not going to make it unless everyone is nice to them? Should we help them with there burden and carry their packs for a bit?”

“We could stand along the trail and beat them with clubs, yah, great idea!”

“Do I hear "crown of thorns"?”

“Lets setup a guantlet for an area StormBringer is about to pass through!”

“i dont really agree with yeilding to to thru hikers either...if its raining when i get to the shelter ill take a spot and tell them to shut the hell up...my money paid for it just like theirs did...they ought to get to know their tents/tarps anyways...why buy all the gear for a thru hike if you aint gonna use it..”

“but oh yeah i would just go to amicalola falls and start out north until you are two days out then come on back or just get some shuttle set up...”

“The GSMNP has lots of trails that can be combined for a nice loop, especially if you've a 4 or 5 day timeframe. You can order the trail map from the NPS bookstore and I would recommend the guide "Hiking Trails of the Smokies" it comes with a trail map too. If you want a more detailed map, check out Trails Illustrated.”