In late April I am going to be hiking from NOC to Fontana Dam. I have heard that it is a really tough section. Can anyone give me some details? I have several days to be out there so I am not going to be in any hurry. Are there places to camp before reaching the first shelter. I am not sure what time I will step foot on the trail. I may not make the first shelter on the day I leave…Thanks everyone…Hootie
Hootie
According to the databook it’s 29.4 miles from NOC to Fontana Dam. The first 8 miles is a steady uphill climb, but the reward atop Cheoah Bald is worth it. After that there is a series of steady ups & downs, with the trail north of Stecoah Gap a stiff climb. I did my first 20 mile day from Sassafras Gap Shelter (6.9 miles north of NOC) to NC Hwy 28. Suggest you take your time and enjoy the scenery. It’s a nice hike.
Little Bear
Finished hiking the trial SOBO in November. When we went through that area we went from Fontana Dam to the shelter right after Cheoah Bald going south. I don’t remember the name off hand. We hit the NOC by 10:30am the next day and got a huge burrito mmmmm. Anyhow, that little section kicked my ass even after hiking for 2000 miles. Mostly ridge walking with little view. No switchbacks, straight up and down. In fact, I remember remarking on the way down to the NOC, that I was glad I was going down! Still, if you have a few days you should really enjoy it. There should be good company that time of year. Cheoah bald was breathtaking, especially at sunset. There are a number of small gaps that you will hike through, all with nice camping spots. I remember some of them have water too. You’ll have to grab a data book to make sure about the water though. You shouldn’t have a problem finding somewhere to bed down. Camping on top of the bald would be awesome if you can arrange it. Hope this helps. Grimace
Grimace
I hate that section of the trail. Its where I got hurt and had to stop my thru-hike a week later in 2000 because my achielles where about twice the size as normal and I couldn’t even stand up in the morning because of the intense pain. The first 8 miles is straight up hill and will absolutely stink. I don’t know why they put the trail there. After that is easy for a while then there are some steep climbs where I actually hurt my achielles, it might have been the combination of the two days but after the second day they where gone. If your gonna hike that section, I’d hike the other way, fontana dam to the NOC, it would be a lot easier. Bonk
bonk
One of the best books on the AT in the South is _Exploring_the_Appalachian_Trail “Hikes in the Southern Appalachians” by Stackpole Books. I’d advise purchasing it and reading up on that section. The book breaks the AT into day or overnight hikes with a travelogue style description. I think it will be useful for this section.
Auntie Coosa
Coosa