Smokies-10-12

“My long awaited Smokies trip is finally here. I'm going with 4 other guys. We're starting at Elkmont and typing into the AT just SW of Clingmans' Dome. Going up the AT until Noland Divide. Taking Noland Creek when it ties into the Divide trail and down to the trailhead. About 27 miles. My wife is more looking forward to the trip than I am. It's all I've been talking about and she's sick of hearing it. If anyone is in the area, maybe we'll cross paths. Is there anyone willing to haul beer up Clingman's”

“Next weekend?.. gonna be a little hot..

but hey.. you don't have to haul beer up Clingman's.. it is only 2miles from the gap to the AT... get someone to drop it in to you.. and then you can cruise over to Dbl Springs Shelter or wherever..”

“This is an area I know well. We're going up on 8-24 to hike near Fontanna Lake(way too hot but it beats working). Unless its winter (road closed)someone can drive anything you want to the dome or really close to Mt. Collins shelter. We were at Mt Collins and Double Spring last winter. We got into Mt. Collins just ahead of one vicious storm, The roof is made of old aluminum siding from a house and we were sure it was comming off. Wild. Water was limited at Double Spring even then, inspite of its name, it was just a trickle in February. Are you going that way (Goshen Prong) or up Suggarland Mtn.? Its a knife ridge for a long way and some of the best views in the park.
I believe it was around CS 24 where the woman got killed by the "bear/husband" two years ago. Nice on-line park map--http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/6602/trailweb.htm Have a good trip.”

“I was mainly kidding about the beer. We'll be going up Goshen Prong to the AT. I don't supposed I could get a cold brew on Sunday in Bryson City? I'm guessing that I can't.”

“The bear attack was near the junction of Goshen Prong and Little River Trails wich is right before #24.

It is important for you to know that Noland Divide Trail DOES NOT intersect with the AT. In order to see the trail sign for Noland Divide you will need to road walk on Clingman's Dome road. If you just stay on the AT going northeast the only place the trail has a junction to the road (after the one going to Clingman's parking lot) is the junction with Fork Ridge trail and you will have to backtrack to the tune of 2 miles.

I was up that way just last march with my older boy scouts and we covered some of that area. I have a trip journal of the trip at the troop site here if you are interested.

Noland Creek Trail is a real pleasure and should be a great ending for your hike.”

“Thanks mule. I don't have my map here at the office, so I was going on hazy memory. It's good to hear that the creek trail is a good one. We wanted to camp at #61, but it's closed due to bears. #62 will have to do. The first night we're staying at #23.”

“Never been to #23 but #24 is nice and big. #62 is a better site (IMHO) than #61 anyway, so don't sweat it. All the other campsites down Noland creek are good ones except #66 at the end. No shade at all and you get to see all the crap the local morons like to toss into Fontana Lake.”

“Thanks for the info.”

“Goshen is fairly steep, I walked down it last Feb, Seems like I remember a couple of places where the trail had slipped off the hill on the lower part and we had to slide down 15 or 20 feet. Might be really pleasant going up. I'd forgotten about the Noland Divide trailhead but Mr. Mule is correct.”

“Doing the Goshen Prong trail by way of Little river was my first day of a five day backpack a couple months ago..

http://members.tripod.com/towndawg/day1.htm

"If you ever happen to walk down along the Goshen Prong Trail down from the AT, just count two stream crossings and look on your left on the bank just before you make the second crossing. Unless someone picks it up, or some ranger decides that having a boot artifact on the side of a trail just before a stream crossing goes against the concept of ?leaving no trace? -- you can see where I sat, and thought, and decided my destiny."”

“And dayhiker?..

Goshen Prong Trail: twenty-five hundred feet elevation change in just over four miles.”

“I thought I remembered it as sort of a shin-pounder, So... you hiked the rest of the way to the AT barefoot??? your destiny was ruined feet??? Had the trail been repaired where it slid?”

“AT story--- can't resist. Last spring we did the secret manway from CS31 up to Charlie's bunion, what a climb last 3/4 mile is like 50% grade. We're sitting on the side of the AT in the shade and a touron (tourist-moron)walks by on his short walk from NF Gap to the Bunion, he doesn't acknowledge us, walks on... a few minutes later he walks back (not happy)and asks us "where does this trail go?" my partner in a flat deadpan says "Maine". Maybe you had to be there but I nearly fell off the mountain, the touron completely missed the joke.”

“mtnman: hehe... it was a GReat trip.. seriously..”

“dayhiker .... have fun. we're looking forward to your trip report.

gc”

“MtnMan!!.. oh my gosh, are you serious?.. LOL... That is priceless.”