4 days in GSMNP

[bigben]

I ask because I'll need to make reservations and want to know you all would do. I'm starting at the NOC, going NOC to Sassafras Gap, Sassafras to Brown Fork, Brown Fork to Fontana, Fontana to Mollies Ridge, Mollies Ridge to ?????, ????? to ?????, ????? to Newfound Gap. Help me fill in the gaps. I was thinking Mollies to Spence, Spence to Silers, Silers to Newfound, but there are other options. Based on size and niceness/crappiness of the shelters, terrain, etc, how would you do it?

[bulldog49]

I would do it as you suggest. Spence and Silers are nicely located. I would avoid Russell Field shelter.

[Rasputen]

Sounds like a plan! Russell Field is closed at this time. I'll be at Silers this weekend! Have a good hike......

[Diamond Diggs]

say hello to my friend, the bear up at spence field. He welcomed me to the shelter a few weeks ago.

[jorhawle]

You are looking at a pretty short and easy hike from Mollie's to Spencer. You could probably do Mollies to Derrick Knob to Double Spring to New Found. The hike from Derrick Knob to Double Spring is pretty short...about 8 miles, but it is a lot of uphill hiking. Just a thought! Have a great time.

[Chaco Taco]

Cant stop at Newfound, go on to Icewater

[Chaco Taco]

Just average yourself 12-14 a day

[Bulldawg]

Cant stop at Newfound, go on to Icewater

Something tells me he is getting off at Newfound!!

[Chaco Taco]

Aww that stinks, finish the park

[Hikes in Rain]

Agreed; the best part is the northern section.

[bigben]

Yeah, I gotta bail at Newfound Gap. Going to park the truck there, shuttle to the NOC and hike for a week. With travel time, I'll be gone 9 days. Any longer, I'd be returning to divorce papers. But thanks to all.

[Hikes in Rain]

Oh yeah, that! I bump up against that wall all the time! Oh well, at least you'll have something to anticipate, and the next section will start with a long gentle downhill.

[valleyfire]

Watch out for the horse crap!

[Blue Wolf]

113 and Russell Field are closed and have been for some time.

[Sir-Packs-Alot]

I'm told that there are 1600 of them in the Smokies now - yoww!

[Sir-Packs-Alot]

...thats bears that is... (responding to "Vaganond" asking "Rasputen" to say hello to the bear he bumped into at Spence Field) !

[Bearbait]

After Mollies, I would hike to Dericks Knob. Then Dericks to Mount Collins. The last day out to Newfound Gap is about 8 miles

[Hikes in Rain]

A little less, I think. Mount Collins is about half a mile off the AT; it's 2.5 to Road Prong Trail, then 1.7 more to Newfound. Just puts you that much closer to the Pancake House in Gatlinburg. Other than that, I agree with your route completely. I did it in reverse a couple of years ago, hiking from Newfound after driving up from Tallahassee. Level hiking, nice views and the occasional car whizzing by beside you to startle you.

[ChinMusic]

I ask because I'll need to make reservations and want to know you all would do. I'm starting at the NOC, going NOC to Sassafras Gap, Sassafras to Brown Fork, Brown Fork to Fontana, Fontana to Mollies Ridge, Mollies Ridge to ?????, ????? to ?????, ????? to Newfound Gap. Help me fill in the gaps. I was thinking Mollies to Spence, Spence to Silers, Silers to Newfound, but there are other options. Based on size and niceness/crappiness of the shelters, terrain, etc, how would you do it?

This is nice link for someone wanting to hike in the 8-12 mile range: http://appalachianpages.com/index.ph...%20mile%20plan

11.5 Nantahala Outdoor Center 2 1496 4693 8.4 135.0
6.9 Sassafrass Gap Shelter Mostly uphill from NOC. 3202 595 8.3 141.9
9.1 Bown Fork Gap Shelter 2172 2702 8.4 151.0
11.6 Fontana Village Call for ride from AT Crossing reception center.
Alternate 1: Stay at Hike Inn (Resupply in Robbinsville)
Alternate 2: Stay at Fontana Dam Shelter 1.1 mi. farther.
Fill out GSMNP permit. 4 1955 3945 8.6 162.6
7.0 Tenting Birch Spring Gap. Long climb up from the dam. 2878 1008 8.5 169.6
10.8 Spence Field Shelter 3000 1765 8.6 180.4
6.3 Derrick Knob Shelter Tough day, hard to plan around it. 1945 1980 8.5 186.7
7.2 Double Spring Gap Shelter 1922 1297 8.4 193.9
10.8 Gatlinburg Via Newfound Gap. Consider taking more if no maildrop at Standing Bear. 2 2081 2541 8.5 204.7