My wife and I are going on a "camp-er-ing" trip to the Erwin/Unicoi area next month, so I can continue my section hiking. (She doesn't hike, but likes to be up there with me while I do. I, in turn, get to hike and come back to king sized beds and steak dinners!) My next section is from 19E to Dennis Cove Road, and Abby's Place is about as close to the middle of it as anyone could ask. My thought is to start at the hostel end of the blue blazed trail and hike up to the AT, then turn either north or south and hike to 19E and Dennis Cove. (Start at the hostel twice, in other words.)
I did some searching, and while there are several threads on finding the hostel from the AT, I can't find anything on the other way around, which does make sense. Is the trail reasonably well marked? Does it end up at the hotel, or intersect Phil Arnett Road somewhere? If it's on the hostel property, do you think the owner would mind if I crossed it a couple of times to access the trailhead?
I do have an email and phone call in to ask those same questions, but haven't heard back yet. Just covering my bases before we head up, gathering what info I can.
Thanks!