2017ers are you going to put that yellow tag on your pack?

[One Half]

Awesome! I thought I had to get it in advance. I really appreciate the heads up

you can get it before you start as long as you will enter the smokies within 30 days of getting the permit. but yeah, you can get it "on trail" at a couple places just before entering. you must print a permit.

[-Rush-]

you can get it before you start as long as you will enter the smokies within 30 days of getting the permit. but yeah, you can get it "on trail" at a couple places just before entering. you must print a permit.

Rangers don't care if it's printed. You can show it to them on your phone as long as they can get the #.

[Bronk]

I wonder how many of these tags break off and are left on the side of the trail.

[llittle_llama]

I wonder how many of these tags break off and are left on the side of the trail.

If I'm able to get one I'll more than likely find some way to "rebuild" it so that it's a permanent item on my pack that will never break off

[Zed]

I don't think we need Baxter permits and the smokies can be registered for on trail FYI

Baxter began requiring permits for thrus in 2016. No cost and no limit, but registration must be done in person.

http://www.baxterstateparkauthority....unce_Final.pdf

[Lauriep]

Although you don't absolutely have to show the rangers in the Smokies a hard copy of your permit (a screenshot will suffice, provided it's not so cold your phone won't work and you don't mind using up battery), you do need to deposit a portion of the hard-copy permit in the permit box when you enter the park.

The online permit only provides an estimate of when you will reach the park. The only way the park knows when you have actually entered the park is by providing the designated portion of your permit when you enter the Smokies (at Fontana Dam for nobos and Davenport Gap for sobos).

Laurie P.
ATC

[Red Sky]

I registered a few weeks ago, but did not receive a tag. Would carry it if I had one!

[Water Rat]

If you are looking to get the Baxter permit in advance, it can be obtained at the AT Visitor's Center, in Monson, ME. That is the last trail town before you enter the 100 Mile. It looks like the proposed hours of operation (for 2017) are 8-11am & 1-5pm. They are subject to change. No need to worry about the permit at this point because Baxter is not issuing them this far in advance.

[ImBill]

How long did it take to arrive? I registered 12/31/16

[Lauriep]

I talked to our southern office in Asheville, NC a couple of days ago to find out how long it takes to send out the backpack tags for registered 2017 thru-hikers. Usually it takes 2-3 weeks to get it under the best circumstances. Over the holidays a backlog developed so it may be longer. Outside of peak season, they wait until a large enough batch develops to make it efficient to send out.

If you register 2 weeks or less before you leave, or live outside the U.S., you will just be emailed materials, and you can pick up the backpack hang tag at Amicalola Falls (after March 3) or from a ridgerunner, or at ATC in Harpers Ferry.

[RabbitHole]

Just taking a casual poll, for those of us that registered through the ATC we got a yellow they hiked tag we can display on our pack. Just wanted to see how many planned on displaying it.

Sorry that should say *thru hiker tag

[Fireplug]

I do think you need to do it in advanced now! I heard that there may. Ot be rangers at the smokies to get one

[Engine]

I do think you need to do it in advanced now! I heard that there may. Ot be rangers at the smokies to get one

If you're referring to the Thru Hiker Permit for GSMNP, you can't get it more than 30 days in advance of the day you enter the park. It's good for 8 days, once you actually "activate" it by entering and leaving a copy in the box.