I’m looking at sections to hike and have considered the Smokies. I’m concerned that some of the books and journals make the AT through Smokey Mountain National Park, especially the shelters, sound very unattractive. Is it required to stay in the shelters and are they that bad?
BenEClone
Yes Its required to stay at the shelters. I did not care for them that much. But i dont like shelters that much either. You also have to have resurvations or at least you use to Unless you are walking more than 50 miles before and after is my understanding. They can get pretty crowded also. Not trying to discourage you because its one of the greatest hikes. There are hikes in the smokies with just camp sites and some are really great hikes also. One of the best hikes in that area on the A T is from Standing Indian north. Did that one last year and really enjoyed it.
D Welborn
The Smokies are great mountains with lots of different trees and plant life at different elevations. Lots of good ridge walking too. Stay in the shelters, the people and the mice are just a part of the trip!
Virginian
In my limited expereince, I feel that the best part of the Smokies are not on the AT. It get much more secluded and you can find tent only sites. Asside from that, the Smokey shelters are nothing worse than anywhere else and the renovated shelters are slightly better. Keep in mind that thru-hiker season (Late March till May??) is a realy crowded time since thru hikers do not need permits and therefore the shelters are all but garranteed to be overbooked. I would go to the AT in the Smokies on a weekday or not in the spring because of AT trafic.
TB
TurkeyBacon
Did a weekend hike two weeks ago in the Smokies. Stayed at two of the Shelters (Mollies Ridge & Spence). No mice, and met some great hikers. Wouldn’t worry about a thing. The Shelters themselves maybe nothing to look at, but the people inside are worth it. You’ll have a blast. Get out there!!!
Ficade
My friend and I section hiked all of the Smokies during September. In fact, we were there during all of 9/11. The only people along the trail (other than near Clingman’s Dome and Newfound (?) Gap) we saw were another group of five doing the same thing. We dropped off the trail twice to avoid the shelters, the distances were no more than two miles or so off the AT. We had those sites (tent sites) to ourselves.
Alligator
The Smokies are somewhat overused but what a walk. We did a
section hike through the park during spring break a few years back so the shelters were a tight fit but the experience was the bomb. Everyone was more than happy to make room for a late hiker, more food for the mice. Most shelters are old and over used because of the number of people who have access ot the park. We would not want the big crowds all the time but it is all part of the trail experience. Man those tales told in the shelter make all the discomfort and old structures worth the price of admission. Life is good…
Swamp Dawg
Many of the shelters in the Smokies have been renovated in the last four or five years. The roof lines have been greatly improved to allow more light into the shelter and to create seating and cooking areas infront of the shelter. In 1999 I was in the smokies as a thru hiker and only Davenport Gap Shelter had been changed and it was much nicer to stay there then the unchanged shelters. Since then I know Icewater Springs and Pecks Corner have been renovated and likely others too. Here is a link to a picture of the “new” Davenport Gap Shelter.
?http://friends.backcountry.net/hatt/at002c02.jpg
celt
The smokies offer some good hiking…as long as you follow a couple tips.
To avoid the “hordes” of people in the park start at Fontana and hike through. Fewer weekend hikers make long distances from the Newfound Gap. Also, do your hike through the work week (Mon, Tue, Wed…) fewer people on the trail then.
The shelters are suprisingly nice and most have been renovated and fixed up over the past couple years. Make sure to bring several mouse traps. My buddy and I laid over 10 mice to rest when we hiked through the park this March.
Andy
I wonder what the stance of the NPS is on killing mice in the park?
Andy, killing mice is pointless and cruel. What do you hope to accomplish???
One Timer
"Andy, killing mice is pointless and cruel. What do you hope to accomplish??? "
Can’t really speak for Andy, but I am guessing…dead mice.
"wonder what the stance of the NPS is on killing mice in the park? "
After completing an exhaustive five year study they will release a position paper.
(the above was not meant to bash the NPS who I think do a pretty good job considering the limited funds an monumental task they have. Just a little levity)
Uncle Duke
