Old AT in the Smokies - Off trail adventure

[Hikerhead]

Did any of the early guys keep a journal and are they available? Gene Espy was the second man to thru-hike and was quite mentally astute at the Gathering in 2006. Could he answer some questions about the route?

Didn't he hike it in 53 or so? I think the trail had already been rerouted over Fontana Dam by then.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Didn't he hike it in 53 or so? I think the trail had already been rerouted over Fontana Dam by then.

I believe it was 1951

[SGT Rock]

Hikerhead is probably right on with this one. The new Fontana Dam route was official in 1948. Earl walked the old route that year because the markings were still off which seemed a regular problem back then according to his book. Anyone thru-hiking after Earl was sure to walk the new route - so this means all other thru-hikers since Earl was the first - and at the same time the last to thru-hike on that route.

[SGT Rock]

I believe it was 1951

I can loan you my copy of "Walking With Spring" which covers this - but it was definatly done in 1948.

[Two Speed]

. . . We really got turned around down in the bottom of those streams, well I did anyway. . .

Not really surprising if you think about it. More vegetation, water flowing in a more concentrated area moving more soil, trees growing faster, etc. May not be anything left to find, or it may take a full blown archeological dig to find it.

[SGT Rock]

We did find some roofing material. Maybe the old AT was covered

[Hikerhead]

We did find some roofing material. Maybe the old AT was covered

Yeah, or maybe it was an old miners camp. I'm taking a pan the next time.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Are you sure the AT crossed Highway 129 in the area of Deals Gap at all? It seems more likely that it crossed using the NC 228 bridge - a road now under Fontana Lake. If this is the case then the AT likely came down to the river north of the current location of Fontana Dam, crossed the river on the NC 228 bridge and followed the edge of the river downstream to the point where you guys picked it up.

[SGT Rock]

Are you sure the AT crossed Highway 129 in the area of Deals Gap at all? It seems more likely that it crossed using the NC 228 bridge - a road now under Fontana Lake. If this is the case then the AT likely came down to the river north of the current location of Fontana Dam, crossed the river on the NC 228 bridge and followed the edge of the river downstream to the point where you guys picked it up.

I am very sure based off of Earl's book that we were in the right place. He described how he followed the Yellowmountain Creek trail to Topocco, then took the AT near the Cheoah dam and specifically said he came out at Deals gap and crossed the road and then climbed up. He then specifically mentions that he crossed Parson's Bald, Sheep Pen Gap, and Gregory Bald. I don't have the book in front of me to confirm it, but I think he also mentioned Dalton Gap.

He also said he should have taken a new trail that led down to Fontana Dam instead of taking Yellow Creek Mountain Trail to Topocco as it had just been rerouted over Fontanna Dam in 1947 (completed in 1944, so that bridge would have already been gone by '48) but the markings were not in and the route wasn't opened by 1948.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Sounds like it did cross that area since Earl talked about those landmarks. I finally got in touch with the 91 yo hiker I know. He didn't hike in that area much, but said his wife's people are from over there. He is going to ask around among his older in-laws.

[Hikerhead]

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

Right about here is where I would turn the trail to go up the ridge towards Sheep Wallow Knob, I would have it follow the ridge a while then sidehill around the hill with BM 3310 to the saddle here:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

Then have it follow the ridge back to were the AT is which is about here:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

Then follow the old AT down to the power line. At the powerline it would probably be easier to go down to the private road like we did, but the better solution is probably to go down the draw here:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

That would keep it off private road and have it come out within 50 yards of where the BMT comes out on the other side of US129.

Looks good. Where I have the red x here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25 is this where we crossed what looked to be an old road before we sidehilled up to the power line and came across maybe some old AT sidehilled in.

[SGT Rock]

That was here: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

[Hikerhead]

That was here: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

OK, and then the trail went around to the left of the highpoint of that knob like it shows. What was that other white line north of the power line?

[SGT Rock]

Ohh that place. Yes you had the right point.

[Hikerhead]

We did find some roofing material. Maybe the old AT was covered

Maybe the next time follow the creek(s) up steam and find an old homestead that this roofing material came from.

[Max Power]

Please keep me informed as the Fontana Hiking Club and non profit organization known as Fontana Foundation would love to help.