AT blazed in the GSMNP

imported
#1

how well marked or blazed is the AT in GSMNP?

vibedog

#2

Very well blazed. It would be difficult to lose the trail in the Smokeys.

Art

#3

new guy question…what color is the blase for the AT trail and typically when do you see them? only at trail crossings or randomly or at some sort of interval?

vibedog

#4

Back in 2006 Braveheart left the Ice Water Springs Shelter, a few miles past Newfound Gap, ahead of his hiking companion Messenger. Instead of neading toward Maine, Braveheart headed back toward Newfound Gap. When he reached the Boulevard Trail, he took than to Mt. LeConte. After discovering his error he hiked down the Alum Cave Trail to Highway 441 and up to Newfound Gap. There he got back on the Appalachian Trail and headed toward Maine. In the meantime Messenger, his hiking partner, turned up the pace trying to overtake him. They were separated for several days. The trail through the park may be well marked, and it is in both directions. Just be sure that you know which direction you are headed

Ed

#5

The A.T. blazes are white and they’re all along the trail at various intervals. Sometimes the worst blazing is found at road crossings where the trail follows the road before re-entering the woods. You find yourself asking, “Which way do I go?”

Celt

#6

there are no blazes in GSMNP. just signs at all intersections

wolf

#7

The white blazes are supposed to be spaced such that when you are standing at one you can always see the next one.

As it turns out, this isn’t always the case in fact, but it’s generally true.

What actually happens, after awhile, is that you develop a capacity to follow the trail by the condition of the ground, without looking at the blazes.

In time, you go on autopilot, following the trail effortlessly, and periodically looking up to see if a blaze is visible; but by this point, looking for the blaze is a double check, the blaze being no longer your primary indicator.

Conan

Conan

#8

When I did some blazing along the A.T. in NH I was asked to read this quote from the AMCs “Trail Building and Maintenance”:

“The frequency of paint blazes will be determined by the character of the trail. On narrow woods trails with an obvious tread and trail corridor and with little opportunity for the hiker to stray off track, blazes can be widely spaced, perhaps every 100-200 feet. On the other hand, a trail without an obvious treadway through an open hardwood forest should be closely blazed – possibly every 30-50 feet.”

Also a quote about blazing on the A.T. from the ATCs website
“Distance between blazes varies. In some areas, blazes are almost always within sight; in areas managed as wilderness you may encounter only four or five per mile. If you have gone a quarter-mile without seeing a blaze, stop. Retrace your steps until you locate a blaze. Then, check to make sure you haven’t missed a turn. Often a glance backwards will reveal blazes meant for hikers traveling in the opposite direction.”

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.795023/k.9C09/Follow_the_Blazes.htm

celt

#9

I found some pictures of the white blazes in the GSMNP.
here’s one:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=17699&c=518

Celt

#10

The AT is well blazed in the GSMNP. Good signage at trail intersections also with milage listed.

Boquack