Are there any mail drop or decent resupply options at Sam’s Gap/US23 between Hot Springs and Erwin? Thinking of doing a section there during the Christmas holidays.
Tater
Mail drop/resupply at Sam's Gap US23?
system
#2
in that 30 mile stretch, there are quite a few places you could pull off trail and get back to hotsprings or jump ahead to erwin but no real in between location that i have discovered to resupply. you could contact miss janet or bluff mt outfitters in hot springs. erwin has like 4 or 5 roads that you can hitch from to get into town and back out to the trail if you want to go with a mail drop, however with a town the size of erwin, there is no need to bypass their groceries. miss janet’s 423-743-1932, wayne at bluff mt 828-622-7162. i am sure you could work out any resupply issues with either or a combination of these 2 great friends of the AT
burn
system
#3
Burn is right on.
If you don’t wanna pack food from Hot Springs to Erwin, you can easily hitch to Erwin on US23. I caught a ride there and it was about 15-20 miles, all highway. You could then spend the night in Erwin (Miss Janets, motel etc.) and get a shuttle back to the Sam’s Gap, either continuing with 2 days of food and ending at the Nolichucky River/Erwin or if Miss Janet was available, you could slack pack the 24 miles from Sams to the River over 2 days (there is a road in between, Spivey Gap). Because of deep snow I did this. As mentioned it would be good to contact Miss J before hand since this is considered her off-season, though I’m sure she’d help you if she can. I recommend staying with her greatly, and the many options would allow you to stay multiple nights.
A-Train
system
#4
I live close to Sams Gap in Mars Hill, NC and I was thinking of starting a grocery service there for AT hikers. I wonder how I could achieve this idea, and if it would even work.
There’s a great little parking lot there, and I live so close, and it’s a perfect spot to refuel and mail drop, etc.
Any thoughts? Do people do this at other locations?
Thanks…
rustyD