I got of the trail about 10 days ago and came home to Chicago as a mistake. Im going back to the trail on monday and am wondering about my permit I got at the Fontana Hilton. It says you have 8 days to get through the park but days off for rest in town are exempt. So does that mean that I can take off the 14 days or so I have and get back on, or do I have to have proof I was in Gatlinburg for all those days.
Easyhiker
I wouldn’t worry about the permit because:
(1) I have hiked through the park at least 6 times in the last five years and have never had a ranger or anyone else want to see my permit.
(2) The park people are reasonable and will believe you if you say you were off the trail.
(3) in principle your permit is good for 8 days hiking.
(4) the reason to do a thru hike is to avoid worrying about things like this.
Old Man
If I could keep hiking with out worry i’d be on the trail forever, so I guess I might Old Man. It seems to me you get off and the fr… worlds a colision.
Easyhiker
Don’t worry about the permit thing. Explain the problem to the Ranger and he should understand. Or if you make a stop at the visitor’s center outside Gatlnburg, sign for a new one. Plus there arn’t a lot of Ranger’s on the last half of the Smokies. Don’t worry too much man.
James Deane (GA -> ME '04)
James Deane
When I went through the park in 2000 I had to show my permit to a ranger who turned up at the shelter.
Downunda