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  1. #1
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    Join Date
    12-25-2016
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    Sweetwater, TN
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    Default Section hiking the BMT in 2017

    Greetings all, I'm planning on starting this month with my first section, Beech Gap to Tellico River. I have purchased Sgt Rocks guide and the various maps. In my research, I noted the C-141 crash site on John's knob.(I'm a former flight medic for UTK, and plan to pay my respects if I can find the small amt of remaining debris) Does anyone know of other interesting non-listed things to see, not only in this section, but along any of the Tenn/NC sections.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

  2. #2

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    I've done the Beech Gap to Tellico River section dozens of times in the last 15 years and all of them as backpacking trips. In fact, you could probably do this section in one day if desired---but what's the fun in that?

    ** Beech Gap to North River road crossing. Leaves the Cherohala Scarway and climbs up on 5 or 6 switchbacks to the top of what I call Festus Knob (and used to call this knob John's Knob but I was wrong). Descends to NR road crossing.

    ** Up to the Rock Quarry and steeply down to Mud Gap.

    ** 1.5 mile climb with 500 foot gain to Whiggs Meadow. Go to the top of the bald and further down to the northwest and you'll see a Pond---a decent swimhole in the summer. There's also a spring water source up above the Pond if you know where to look.

    ** Go into the woods on the south side of the Whigg and look for a memorial cross with pictures.

    ** Leave the Whigg on the BMT and pull the 3,000 foot loss in 7 milles to Tellico River. You're done. There are two very nice and secret campsites on this section paralleling Sycamore Creek.

    Here are my Keyworded pics of your route, starting at Beech Gap---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/beech%20gap/

    This next set shows the Rock Quarry south of Beech Gap---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/rock%20quarry/

    And then comes Whiggs Meadow itself---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/whiggs%20meadow/

    And then the Sycamore Creek drop off the Whigg to Tellico River---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keywo...amore%20creek/

    And then around Tellico River by the Fish Hatchery---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/fish%20hatchery/

    SIDE NOTES
    ** Once atop the Whigg if you leave the Whigg on the BMT and go about a quarter mile north there's a faint side trail on the right to the top of Haw Mt (and a back way to get into the Snowbird wilderness) which is at 5,500 feet and the highest mountain in Monroe Cty, TN. In the winter you get a good view off the Haw down to the Whigg.


    Here's a view of the mighty Haw Mt as seen from the top of Whiggs meadow. To the left of the Haw is the BMT and the sidetrail to the top of Haw climbs that gradual ridge to the right.



    Here's a view of Whiggs Meadow as seen from the Haw.

  3. #3

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    Not a great amount of debris left but you'll find some Al structural components as well as a decrepit seat. Careful of the sharp metal edges on the steep side trail to the crash site with some loose footing in places.

  4. #4

    Default

    Tipi's so plugged in with wandering much of the BMT he's a excellent source of info.

    For me, although this info can largely already be found, I'll add:

    the 1848 Grist Mill which is somewhat intact at Skeener Creek CG right off the BMT. Eccentric quirky hospitable proprietors would likely hold a resupply box. Place always expands my mind. Could be a decent rain day "zero" with several trailers/mobile homes and CG sites for rent. They have a decent common/kitchen area / internet, etc. Proprietors could be talked into a ride to Suches supply locations.

    covered bridge in Cherry Log

    BMTA HDQTRs in Cherry Log

    Various pedestrian, swinging etc. and old steel road bridge crossings.

    Tellico Dam is worth a long look.

    Even though you'll have Mt Sterling Fire Tower right on trail depending on weather it can be socked in with "smoke" or be AWESOME so IF good weather is in the mix Shuckstack fire Tower is iconic GSMNP. Like the way it sways in heavy wind and the view is virtually non existent of anything in it that's manmade with waves of forested ridge after ridge.

  5. #5
    Registered User
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    12-25-2016
    Location
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    I've done the Beech Gap to Tellico River section dozens of times in the last 15 years and all of them as backpacking trips. In fact, you could probably do this section in one day if desired---but what's the fun in that?

    ** Beech Gap to North River road crossing. Leaves the Cherohala Scarway and climbs up on 5 or 6 switchbacks to the top of what I call Festus Knob (and used to call this knob John's Knob but I was wrong). Descends to NR road crossing.

    ** Up to the Rock Quarry and steeply down to Mud Gap.

    ** 1.5 mile climb with 500 foot gain to Whiggs Meadow. Go to the top of the bald and further down to the northwest and you'll see a Pond---a decent swimhole in the summer. There's also a spring water source up above the Pond if you know where to look.

    ** Go into the woods on the south side of the Whigg and look for a memorial cross with pictures.

    ** Leave the Whigg on the BMT and pull the 3,000 foot loss in 7 milles to Tellico River. You're done. There are two very nice and secret campsites on this section paralleling Sycamore Creek.

    Here are my Keyworded pics of your route, starting at Beech Gap---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/beech%20gap/

    This next set shows the Rock Quarry south of Beech Gap---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/rock%20quarry/

    And then comes Whiggs Meadow itself---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/whiggs%20meadow/

    And then the Sycamore Creek drop off the Whigg to Tellico River---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keywo...amore%20creek/

    And then around Tellico River by the Fish Hatchery---

    https://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/keyword/fish%20hatchery/

    SIDE NOTES
    ** Once atop the Whigg if you leave the Whigg on the BMT and go about a quarter mile north there's a faint side trail on the right to the top of Haw Mt (and a back way to get into the Snowbird wilderness) which is at 5,500 feet and the highest mountain in Monroe Cty, TN. In the winter you get a good view off the Haw down to the Whigg.


    Here's a view of the mighty Haw Mt as seen from the top of Whiggs meadow. To the left of the Haw is the BMT and the sidetrail to the top of Haw climbs that gradual ridge to the right.



    Here's a view of Whiggs Meadow as seen from the Haw.
    Tipi, as always thank you for your wisdom. Your trip reports have opened my eyes to the adventure and beauty that is only 30 minutes away. Planning on spending the night camped at the Whigg. More time to explore and enjoy. Working on getting better cardio, my legs blew up trying to day hike from unicoi Gap to Tate Gap on BMT. I'm not the 18 yr old Lost Sea tour guide that could run from the lake to entrance building without sweating

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

  6. #6

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    My next trip starts at Unicoi Gap and heads north on the BMT to Six Mile Gap and Sled Runner Gap to Sugar Mt and Sycamore Creek and---take a breath---up to the Whigg and over Haw to the Snowbird wilderness. So . . . . God willing and the creeks don't rise I should be on the BMT for many days.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-25-2016
    Location
    Sweetwater, TN
    Age
    50
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    My next trip starts at Unicoi Gap and heads north on the BMT to Six Mile Gap and Sled Runner Gap to Sugar Mt and Sycamore Creek and---take a breath---up to the Whigg and over Haw to the Snowbird wilderness. So . . . . God willing and the creeks don't rise I should be on the BMT for many days.
    My second section will be unicoi Gap to Tellico River, but may drop down to Bald River and finish at the falls.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by tvance0645 View Post
    My second section will be unicoi Gap to Tellico River, but may drop down to Bald River and finish at the falls.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
    That would be an excellent blue blaze off the BMT as what rule is there that someone has to stay on the BMT? It's an easy scoot over from the Brookshire Creek crossing on the BMT to the back door of Bald River wilderness and then a 5-6 mile hike to the falls and out.

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