Search:

Illabelle

Last time I went to Lost Cove was back in 2009. FSR 278 was drivable up to the Lost Cove Trail pull out. Just beyond it the road gets rough.

As for camping, the open meadow on Lost...

I think FSR 278 at Spivey Gap opens as well on April 1. There is a parking area just above the AT crossing. There is a old gated FSR right next to the nobo side of AT that leads to a wildlife plot....

I have done Lost Cove a couple times using the Lost Cove Trail. The roads on Flattop Mtn will open on April 1. From 19W, turn on Howell Branch (Whiteoak Flats Road). At the gap, turn left on FSR...

If it was Connie...sure

She has had issues with a neighbor or two saying Greasy was closed.

Last year, I heard she limited the number of hikers staying at the Friendly.

I used to live near Watauga Lake and just walked that section last weekend.

FYI - A NO IDLE RECREATION or CAMPING Rule from 321 to Wilbur Dam Road is in place. And Watauga Lake Shelter is...

Deep Gap Road usually doesn't open until April.

You just need to be aware of any black out dates

Diddo on going to the top of Viking/Camp Creek Mtn. There is Jones Meadows - part of an old ski resort. A USFS firetower with radio towers stand at the summit.

There are a number of access...

Ray's Weather is great for a lot of NC high elevation areas.
Then I just use my local TV station weather app.

Any app that can follow your location, radar, and receives national weather alerts...

For Tennessee section its. Chattanooga, Graysville, Dayton/Cumberland Springs, Ozone, Wartburg, Caryville, La Follete, HarrogateTN/CumberlandGap/Middlesboro KY

The GET is in concept.

I know the Tennessee Cumberland Trail is not complete and has had some hardship in getting built and maintained. A lot of road routes.

I use it every once in a while. Not as greasy as menthol cream

The common method now are mileage markers that can last a long time. Installed at trailheads, shelters, or trail junctions

I remember a mileage sign about 2-3 miles NOBO from Iron Mtn Gap

2021 is going to be weird. Probably 1.5 to 2 times more traffic. Planned 2021 hikers, postponed 2020 hikers, newbie hikers, and your typical section/day hikers.

You can continually check the...

The causeway at Hereford Road (near Hickory Hill Boat Ramp) collapsed some times ago and I think its still out. There is new trail route in place.

Seeing how many shuttle services stopping during these Covid times, you might have to take what you get. Most of my shuttle contacts for the Smokies stopped or limited their services.

Other...

Maybe I should have called you on Sunday. That mess on I40 in Canton was a disaster.

The trail will definitely be overcrowded by thrus in 2021 of those who missed their 2020 start. Services will be about the same as those who operated during 2020. Newbie interest has jumped so...

Go across the interstate to Standing Bear Hostel or park at Big Creek.

The turnout next to the river has a previous history of vandalism from both humans and critters.

Go to Harbor Freight and get the winter mechanic gloves.

Avenza, Ramblr, Hiking Project, GaiaGPS, AllTrail, US Topo Maps

There is a campsite just below trail at the Firetower side trail.
Cowboy yes.
Water can be scarce at the campsite. But its rained quite a bit in western NC. And cooling down.

There are USFS signs pointing to Max Patch from Hot Springs. Max Patch Road is a county/forest road. People live up there.

Harmon Den/Cold Springs Road (Exit 7 from I40) is another major access.

Check the CDT topics

I haven't heard of any recent vandalism. But 19E has had a long history of it.