thanks so much for the advice! I have another question too. I was thinking I'd fly at first (I'm coming from New York City) but now I'm thinking driving get would be easier since I could just bring everything with me and not have to deal with checking my back back on a plane. it's a 14 hour drive to Spring Mountain tain for me and I'm planning on spending the night near the entrance and get a really early start the next day . So my first question is there a nice and not too expensive place to stay near the entrance to springer mountain? Is it safe to leave my car for 5 days in one of the parking lots? And lastly is there a shuttle service that would take me 60 miles from Unicoi Gap Back to wherever I will park near the entrance? thanks so much again.