Uncle jonny' hostle in Erwin, TN

imported
#1

I noticed in the current Thru Hikers Companion that there was not a listing for Uncle Jonny’s. Is this hostle no longer in existance? If not does anyone know what happened to this establishment?

Stealth Blew

#2

no, it exists. it’s right on the Trail, in fact. the reason it isn’t in the Companion (and hasn’t been the last couple issues) is that there have been quite a lot of complaints about UJs reported by hikers to the ATC, to the extent that it is not longer published as a recommended stop for hikers along the way.

If you’re asking because you’re trying to decide on a place to stay near Erwin, definitely stay at Miss Janet’s.

0101

#3

so I was rereading that last sentence and realized it could be taken two ways. I did NOT mean “definitely stay at Miss Janet’s because Uncle Johnny will murder you in your sleep.” What I DID mean was “Definitely stay at Miss J’s because she is a wonderful person.”

thanks. just didn’t want any confusion there.

0101

#4

That makes sense. I remember back in 2002 when I first and last met Uncle Johnny he told me all sorts of fictious stories about Miss Janet’s (for ex. no hot water, was about to be shut down by the board of health, ect…). It is poetic justice that no bad deed go undone. Thank you for the info.

Stealth blew

#5

Uncle Jonny’s is a great place to stop and use the phone to call Miss Janet to come pick you up. (maybe take a poop and steal some toilet paper) Don’t miss out on the best hostel on the trail, stay with Miss J.:pimp

feral

#6

Please disregard ferals advice. I believe that Miss Janet is trying her best to not escalate the situation between her and UJ. Just call Miss J and have her pick you up somewhere other then right outside Uncle Johnies.:cheers

jalanJalan

#7

No Way!

look all… Miss J is great, no doubt about it… But on my '05 hike I wanted some R&R when I got to Erwin and Uncle Jonny’s was just that. Set on the outskirts of town and right by the river. Plenty of bikes to ride around and he gives a free ride into town daily. Also, gotta love that fire pit out back, dug out with just a rusted old shovel in 7 hours in the hot TN sun, by yours truly…

hike and live on all!!!:cheers

KTR

#8

UJ has mellowed out over the past few years. I stayed there last year and it was quite nice. Lots of books and DVDs to amuse yourself with in the bunkroom, his wife drove me into town and back for a couple bucks, and right next to the trail. Very courteous. Miss Janet’s is nice too, of course. There’s room for both, esp. in the spring thru-rush when you may not find space at Janet’s.

Woof Puppy

#9

uncle J’s was a great stop over for me on my '06 hike,they could not have been nicer,great place…and I still got to meet Miss Janet…and that fire pit rocks!!!:cheers

old school

#10

ditto on the last two posts-
if one can get past the overblown hype surrounding the uj/miss janet “rivalry”, then either place will probably suit a weary, dirt-covered and hungry hiker just fine.
i stayed at uj in 04’and he went out of his way to be as hospitable a host as possible- drove us all over town for free, gave us bikes to use at no charge, and perhaps most humbly, spoke at length about the respect he had for miss j (they used to be pretty good friends) and how unhappy he was that things had gotten so out of hand between them.
with that said, you can’t beat uj’s location, or the fact that to camp on his fluffy green lawn costs about 6 bucks, but then again you might miss miss j’s wonderful personality and overall graciousness towards hikers.

mainesail

#11

I had a great stay at Uncle Johnny’s, and had a private room.
I was shuttled into town for meals at no charge, and his employee did my laundry. Wonderful place to stay!

Bama

#12

My experience with uncle Johnny convinced me that his hostel deserved being removed from the directory. When I thru-hiked in 2003 I knew nothing about the problems other hikers had experienced. I used his pay phone and was debating whether to stay or just resupply and move on to the next shelter. When I told him I was not certain if I would stay he got all defensive as if I had insulted him. He was taking some other hikers into town and before I could
even ask he says he doesn’t take hikers into town unless they stay with him, then a few minutes later he tells me it will cost me $5 for a ride, I declined. The town was only about a mile away so I walked, resupplied and picked up some gear. I stopped back at his place on my way out of town to buy some alcohol and make another phone call. I gave him my half full, 16oz fuel bottle to top off and he took it in back, then he comes out and tells me it was 12 ounces. It was half full when I gave it to him, but at that point I did not want to argue. I made my phone call, but the person was not home yet and was told to call back in 15 minutes. While I was waiting he comes out and ask me why I was still there and unless I was staying with him, to get the hell out of here. The guy was a real piece of work. When I got to the next shelter I discovered that not only did he charge me for 12oz of fuel when my fuel bottle could only hold about 8oz, he didn’t even top it off, so it was more like 6oz he really gave me. That is when Foot Slogger and Jersey told me all about the guy.

I find it hard to believe that the guy could change all that much in just a few years, but since he acted like a Yankee trader maybe his removal from the hiking directory hit him where it really hurts, his wallet. If hikers in the last three years have had better luck with him then judge by their experiences, but as for myself I will never bother with him again. I have never met Miss Janet, but I have only heard good things about her. Since you have a choice why take the chance.

The only other place on the trail I was warned about was in the hundred mile wilderness of Maine. I guess the place is an island and you blow a signal horn for the boat. I was told that if you just go there for the food and don’t stay the night that the guy takes a fit and since it is an island your kind of at his mercy. I did not go there so I don’t know if there is any truth to the rumor. I know some female hikers had stayed there the night and had no problems. Maybe someone here has had an experience with the place, good or bad, and can set the record strait.

RickTheLoneWolf

#13

As I was section hiking through here, I stayed here not once but 3 separate times and found him to be a very nice guy and a very good hostel. I think it’s time to put this feud to bed. I stayed with Miss Janet too on another ocassion and she’s tops in my book as well.

Sky Rider

#14

I had nothing but good experiences at Uncle Johnny’s in '99, and witnessed numerous others who would concur. Actually, I was there twice at the nd and start of two section hikes.

I have heard from enough people that something happened to the good guy I met a couple years later and he became less than friendly–that I tend to believe it. But I’ve also heard that in the past couple hiking seasons he’s mellowed out and returned to his former self.

As for Miss Janet I’ve never stayed there but met her a number of times away from her hostel and she is definitely one great trail angel. I sometimes wonder how she puts up with some of the hikers she treats royally. What a saint!

Bottom line: There may now be TWO very accommodating hostels in Erwin, and I believe they can co-exist. Only way to find out is in person. During NOBO Prime Time, two hostels are very necessary.

Skyline

#15

I stayed ther in 04 and regretted it. The hostel itself was ok. It has an awesome location and the facitiies are good. My problem was to do with the atmosphere and the misleading practices.

I made the mistake of paying for a ride to the trail to do a slack pack. I was told one price the night before but UJ changed the price on me just as I was about to leave. For some reason, I thought the person giving me a ride was a lcoal guy tring to earn some extra bucks so I felt hesitant to back out. I later learned that the guy givimg me the ride was Uncle Jonny himself and I sensed some weirdness about the whole thing before accepting.

From what I hear there are two poblems w/ UJ. First: his behavior is a bit erratic. Sometimes he can be nice and other times he can be downright mean Second: He’s trying too hard to make money off of thru hikers. Most of the people who open hostels have indicated to me that there’s not a lot of money to be made and that most do it for other reasons. When someone sees you with dollar signs in there eyes its a big downer. I don’t begrudge someone for trying to make an honest buck, but I do begrudge someone who does so by deception and other unfair practices.

Striker

#16

I was on the trail last year and was told by my ride up to springer to stay away from uncle Johnnys.When I came down off the mountain at Uncle Johnnys another hiker I had met earlier on the trail came out and met me and ask where I was going to stay.I told him what I had been told and he said he was staying there and the place was great.I went in and talked to uncle Johnny and decided to stay.I stayed the rest of that day and took my first o day the next and just loved the place.They could not have been any nicer.The hostel sits right across the road from the trail and right beside the river.They have tenting in their yard,a great heated bunk house and private little cabins out back that are great and reasonably priced.The fire pit is great.They have a very large assortment of free movies and videos if you are intrested.They take you to town,free,when you wish and also do your laundry.The showers and restrooms are new and very clean.There resupplies and gear was also reasonably priced.I just loved the place and the people that run it.I did not stay at miss Janets but all the people I knew that did also loved her place .I think it is time that the Thru-Hikers`Companion people add uncle Johnnys to their book.

woodensticks

#17

The only hikers who complain about Uncle Johnny’s are the drunks, pot smokers, and *******s.

If you want a nice quiet sleep, stay at Uncle Johnny’s. If you want to get drunk and party, you stay at Miss Janet’s.

nrkybill

#18

Great recommendation.

Miss Janet’s it is.

Kiyu

#19

I thru-hiked nobo in "06 and heard some bad things about UJ’s in Hot Springs who had other issues, it turned out. I live near Erwin so I didn’t stay at Uncle Johnny’s, HI Express, or Miis Janet’s, but I know all 3 managers, and they all seem to want to do a good job of hosting hikers. Three other nobo’s (all older than 40) had excellent experiences at UJ’s. They said they were treated fairly and politely, as was I when I stopped in to await my wife. Apparently UJ had some real problems in the past, but from my personal experience, he is getting a bad rap. One thru-hiker told me that UJ’s was the only hostel he had seen that he would take his wife back to.

Mamgo

#20

I stayed at Uncle Johnny’s and it was a great place to stay!!! I went thru there
in 05. It was nice and clean, they took me to eat and to the store, they did my laundry etc… I could not have been happier. If you have the chance stay their, I also did a mail drop there with no problems.

Happy Trails
POOHBEAR

POOHBEAR