Carver's Gap to Dennis Cove Road

“This hike will finish where Moc's New Years Hike starts, allowing for a 7 day 86 mile hike into Damascus. A perfect trip for those of us who are geographically challenged when it comes to getting to Tenn for shorter hikes.

More details to follow.

'32oz”

“I'd be down to go on this trip if my canoe trip to the everglades falls through. I'll know for sure by mid November.”

“you're canoe TO the everglades?... D@mn that's a long trip... LOL”

“Wait, Carver's Gap to Dennis Cove (where is this btw) is 86 miles long...or is Moc's trip to Damascus from Dennis Cove 86 miles long?”

“I'll have to pull out the maps on this one.


...NM, I just looked at the dates on this. I've already made plans...woops.
last edited: 9/18/08 7:36:34 AM”

“its about 36 miles... Dennis Cove to Damscus is another 50....

'32oz”

“so I guess that means its 86 miles from carvers gap to Damascus :)”

“well let me see iffin I can get my boots off and I'll count it up fer ya!!!”

“That's a long drive and I may have another obligation, but I'm interested. I might actually get to hike with you guys this time . . .”

“We would love to have you.. New Year's Evewill me low mileage so we can celebrate a little..

'32oz”

“I talked to Bob Peoples last night..

He will be out of town until the night of Dec 27th. I have tentatively set up a shuttle for us from his hostel to Carver's Gap on the 28th.. I also told him that we will have about 10 people at the hostel for New Year's Eve... I will update the rest of the itinery when I get back from vacation next week.

He also stated that he would accept people at the hostel on the 27th..

Due to some change in plans, I probably won't be down until around noon on the 28th..

It looks like the Richmond VA contingent may have grown to 5.

'32oz
last edited: 11/26/08 9:27:17 AM”

“Are they staying for both trips?”

“Mocs I'm not sure... There are now 6 going..

HM Lightfoot amd myself are for both trips.. I am trying to see about the other 3.. I will let you know...

'32oz”

“So far I am still a go for both trips, but I have a little transportation issue to deal with. Hopefully it will be fixed before trip time.”

“I am a "yes" for both trips.”

“Sounds like a great hike. I'm sure you are aware the conditions could be challenging (or not). Is the first day from Roan High Knob shelter to Apple House? If so that could be a tough day. You will likely encounter ice and snow on the backside of Roan and maybe real deep snow coming off Grassy Ridge and up Yellow Mt (ie postholing for miles). Be careful and have fun.”

“I am not really diggin' that scenario...”

“Edoc, thanks for the heads up. Yes I realize we could be hiking through some snow...

CD.. Game plan is this... Get down late on the 27th, or early 28th.. Bob Peoples shuttles us to Carver's Gap. on the 28th.

Dec 28.. Carver's Gap to Overmountain Shelter.. It's 4.5 miles.. Yes a very low mile day, but if it snows Bob may only be able to get us within 3 miles of the trailhead.. Besides the shelter is a batn with a great view... We can carry in some decent food and have a good meal the first night

Dec 29th Hike 8 miles to Applehouse shelter.. A couple climbs but nothing too bad.. Unless we're in a foot of snow..

Dec 30th-31st..

We will have 20 miles from Applehouse Shelter to Dennis Cove. On the 30th, I am hoping to get to the Moreland gap shelter which is about 13 miles. This would leave us 6 or so miles to go on the 31st... This means we get to the hostel early and celebrate New Year's. There are several campsites with water along the way should the snow be bad and we don't make good time..

Originally I though that we were going to conitnue north into Damascus, but I think Mocs is now doing his 50 miles North to South, so we don't have to worry about shuttles on the 31st...

'32oz”

“Ok, that sounds very doable.”

“Overmountain Shelter


Applehouse Shelter


Moreland Gap Shelter
”

“Overmountain is a big really neat Shelter. It does have a privy and a fairly close water source. It isn't the nicest shelter in and of itself, but its uniqueness and its location make it one of my favorites. It has a great view.

Apple House Shelter is small, but has a good close water source. If it is cold you can hike another mile to Mountain Harbor Hostel where they have a nice wood stove.

Moreland Gap Shelter looked like a dump when I passed it. It is a typical 1960s ish Forest Service Cinder Block Shelter with a tin roof. I don't know why but I never have liked that style of shelter.

All Three have some decent tent sites around if I remember correctly. There is a new shelter 8.5 miles north of 19E called Mountaineer Falls Shelter. It is brand new and very very nice. It doesn't look like it will fit into your plans, but I just thought I would let you know it was there. They have done a lot of relocations around that section (19E to Dennis Cove) that are not in the guide book (there is a new one coming out this year) and mileages are a little longer than before. It is very easy walking though and you guys will have no problems making great time once you get to 19E.”

“Even if there is snow it may not be bad.If there is a big dump with wind the open balds may be devoid of snow(Round, Jane Balds, Little and Big Humps) while the trail down the back side of Grassy, up Yellow Mt and Bradley Gap the snow cold be deep. But that's mostly downhill if the snow is deep. I postholed up from Yellow Mt Gap to Stan Murray once. Thankfully hikers from Carvers had packed the snow down to Stan Murray. At the same time Grassy Ridge was devoid of snow.”

“The section between Big Hump and Doll Flats would be the hardest in the snow in my opinion. It is rocky, and if covered in snow, it wouldn't be easy to find your footing.”

“Thanks for the info Mocs..

Yeah depending on the situation the Mountain Harbor Hostel may come in handy.. I'll have to check but from what I recall wasn't it like $15 per night? I know Sweetpeastew and Tater stayed there the last time we were down..

I figure that we will have one 10+ mile day, which will be the 3rd day... Other then that it is reltively low mileage...

Looking forward to seeing you guys NewYear's eve...

'32oz”

“Tater and Sweetpea stayed at the "Bed and Breakfast". The Hiker Hostel is $15 per night and is very nice, one of the nicest I have been in.

When I did Dennis Cove to US19E I stayed there the night before I started with a NOBO who was going from Springer to Damascus, and was quitting there because of the cold. He had that place heated to 84* with that wood stove. It was all great for him because he was waiting on someone to pick him up, but I had to get out in the 35* rain/sleet/snow mixture to hike the next day. That was quite a shock when I walked outside!”

“http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43793&page=2

Here is a recent report on Overmountain Shelter and the trail. (post #21). The trip is still way down the road, so hopefully the trail conditions will improve by then.”

“It very well may be rough from Carvers to 19E. It is very high and exposed. It gets a lot of snow, which can melt when the sun hits it and re-freeze as ice, and is WINDY.”

“I'm looking at my maps and I'm coming up with a little over 18 miles from Apple House Shelter and Moreland Gap Shelter. I'm also coming up with 25 miles from Apple House Shelter to Dennis Cove Road. Could someone check this out? It will help me decide if this trip will be doable for me or not. Thanks!”

“Mocs, you mentioned that the relocations added some miles.. they didn't add 5 miles did they?

"32oz”

“There have been a lot of relocations between Dennis Cove Road and US19E so the maps and guide books are not accurate (there is a new version coming out in early 2009 with the updates). I think they actually added some mileage, but added a new shelter, Mountaineer Falls Shelter, 8.5 miles North of US19E. The section from Apple House to Dennis Cove is relatively flat and pretty easy. Bob Peoples (Kincora Hostel) would be able to give you more accurate distance information as he was heavily involved in the relocations and the new shelter.”

“I think more like 2 or 3”

“My maps are dated 2005 so I'm sure there are some changes. You are saying that there has been more miles added? Even with another shelter between them, that's more than 13 miles for the two days at the end, correct?
last edited: 12/07/08 7:17:21 PM”

“w
last edited: 12/08/08 4:44:45 PM”

“I have updated the trip page for the first leg of the New Year's Trip.

If we want to stay in shelters, we have two optons...

The first requires an 18.2 mile third day, while the second would requires us hiking from Carver's Gap to Applehouse shelter (13.2 miles) on the first day..

I have a call in to Bob Peoples to firm things up as far as numbers, shuttles etc.

So far for the first leg I have Mildbill, HM, Lightfoot, and Myself as definates...

'32oz
last edited: 12/16/08 8:12:23 AM”

“This is the first trip I've joined on here but I've hiked a lot with mildbill (known to me as wildbill) and he can tell you all about me. Ignore what he says. I hope you'll let me join the trip anyway. :)”

“Ok but we will have to do a background check, and since your only reference is from mildbill this could take a while..

one can never be too careful...

Look forward to hiking with you!!

'32oz”

“I've hiked with him. He's a good guy, strong hiker, knows his gear. He'll do.”

“Hyway, are you still gonna make it?

'32oz”

“no, I took my name off the list. Too much work for me”

“dang, was hoping you could make it...

'32oz”

“Was wondering if hyway was gonna make it. Bummed he can't.

BTW, thanks for the kind words. Not up to your usual wiseguy standards. You feeling OK? Ya' gotta' work on that.”

“Who is Raleighhiker?








......just kidding!”

“I just received the last piece of information that I was waiting on...

Game plan is to meet at Kincora Hostel Late in the 27th/early on the 28th. We will shuttle to Carver's Gap on the 28th and hike North hitting Dennis Cove early on the 31st, in time to celebrate New Year's Eve.

We can set a schedule for the 4 days as the time gets closer. Things may change a little due to weather...

'32oz”

“I will be there.

Where is Kincora exactly?”

“1278 Dennis Cove Road, Hampton, TN 37658

'32oz”

“Thanks.”

“Have fun you guys. Sure wish I could go on this one. :(”

“Just for fun, here are some maps of the hike.

http://tinyurl.com/98grwk”

“Those look pretty good. Not bad at all. I am really impressed with the detail.”

“Nice work Raleigh, I was trying to imagine what they would look like when you were talking about them. Never thought they would come out like that... Awesome stuff...

On a similiar note, you had talked about your work on the MST Trail... Once you get everything up and running I would love to see what you have on the Section between Clingman's Dome and Mount Mitchell..

I look forward to hiking with you again soon..

'32oz”