Water drought in SMNP

imported
#1

For those not aware, there is a major water drought from Springer Mtn to south-western Virginia.

The ATC website has a link to a “drought monitor” map that is updated weekly.

The below info is from the SNMP website: http: //www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

"Water Problems - No water available at the following areas:
• Water sources are dry on the Appalachian Trail from the Fontana Visitor Center to Derrick Knob Shelter—a distance of 23 miles.
• Backcountry Campsites 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 19, 21, 26, 35, 42, 113
• Mollies Ridge Shelter
• Russell Field Shelter
• Spence Field Shelter
• Silers Bald
• Double Spring Gap

Please note: There is NO drinking water available on the Appalachian Trail after leaving Fontana Visitor Center until Derrick Knob Shelter—a distance of 23 miles. The recent rain is not expected to provide any long term improvement in the water supply at these springs. Backpacking is not recommended on this route at this time due to lack of water." (Info accurate as of 12/14/07)

There is also a open fire ban from Springer Mtn to Roan Mtn. You can only use backpack stoves. This ban is until 4/30/08. No campfires at shelters.

The Unknown Hiker

#2

As already mentioned, apparently there is no water available for the 23 miles between Fontana Dam and Derrick Knob Shelter. That’s a period of 1.5 to 2 days - and the first day has a elevation gain of 2,800 feet.

I don’t think there are any vehicle-accessible roads in between. But if there are, you might find someone to shuttle with some water you could pre-position. And thats assuming there are no closed/locked gates on those roads.

I can think of two other possible solutions. The first is to lighten your pack load as much as possible (sending things like your tent to Standing Bear Hostel or somewhere on the otherside of Davenport Gap). You can’t legally use your tent in SMNP anyway. Then, carry as much water as you have freed up in weight. A liter of water weighs 2 lbs. For winter hiking (not when the temps are hot) I’m estimating 3-4 liters per day, for 2 days (to cover the 23 miles). That means 6-8 liters and 12 to 16 lbs. You would have to really reduce the weight in your pack to carry that water.

A second option - start out from Fontana with a very light pack (only items you would need for a two day trip). Leave the rest at a hostel or somewhere else safe. Then, hike the 12 miles to Mollies Ridge shelter. You carry enough water for the trip there; a return trip to Fonatana the next day; and water to carry you from Mollies Ridge shelter to Derrick Knob Shelter (the next source of water - 11 miles further). So you start from Fontana (day 1) with your “day pack” and around 9-10 liters of water. You drink 3 liters getting to Mollies Ridge. There you hide 3 more liters where you can find it, and spend the night. On day 2 you hike back down to Fontana, drinking your remaining 3 liters of water. You get your pack re-loaded and on day 3 repeat the trip up to Mollies Ridge shelter. But this time you only need to carry 3 liters - because when you get to Mollies Ridge shelter you will have the other three liters stashed to carry you to Derrick Knob Shelter. A real pain to make the climb twice.

Maybe there’s a better way - for my winter hike there is a chance there will be snow to melt. But past experience has shown that must snow is not found until later in the SMNP.

The Unknown Hiker

#3

i tried your link above and i couldn’t get it to come up. are sure about this because the GSMP has been getting quite a bit of rain in the past month as opposed to springer mountain.

mkls

#4

never mind. i found the site that you posted the link to. that really sucks about no water! hopefully, they will get enough rain over the winter for next spring.

mkls

#5

The SMNP site acknowledges the recent rain, but says it probably will be of only a “limited beneft.”

It is also worrysome that the campire ban goes through the end of April - that suggests they expect the woods to be dry, and maybe the streams also.

I think my best bet will be to mail as much non-essential gear from the Fontana Post Office to Standing Bear Hostel (which should accept packages). That will cut about 10 pounds off my pack weight - which I’ll replace with water for the first 23 miles of SMNP. At least that way I won’t have to do the initial 12 miles twice.

Might want to keep in touch with the folks who run the Hike Inn near Fontana. They are supposed to be keeping hikers up-to-date on the situation.

The Unknown Hiker

#6

Sorry - I had a space after “http:” in the earlier posting.

Here is the correct address to SMNP info on water drought the first 23 miles from Fontana Dam:

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

The Unknown Hiker

#7

I was looking back at my SMNP maps, and it looks like there might be a good way to get water into that stretch if a trail angel down that way is feeling ambitious (or wants to organize a good deed for all the SOBOs who are passing through down that way about now.) The Anthony Creek and Russell Field trails lead off from the visitor center at Cades Cove and run about 5 miles to the AT at Russell Field shelter, about halfway between Fontana and Derrick Knob shelter. If anyone has the wherewithal to pack some water up there it would break up the waterless section perfectly and let the hikers headed through manage it without having to carry quite so much water. I’m a bit too far away to make the effort myself (it’d be a bit hard from PA) but there has to be someone down that way with the ability and drive to do this.:happy

Strategic

#8

Not that I’d ever suggest that we can do without them, but Unknown Hiker did seem to be trying to do this without relying on “the kindness of strangers” (as it were) so something else occurred to me as I re-read my post above; a hiker could easily use the same set of trails (the Anthony Creek and Russell Field trails) to detour down to the Cades Cove visitor center (and it’s potable water) and back to the AT. If you skip the section between the two trail junctions it only adds 7.4 miles to the section and sets you up to stay at either Russell Field (if SOBO) or Spence Field (if NOBO) shelters. The only thing to remember is that the visitor center closes at 4:30 this time of year. It’s pretty well set to be one day out from Fontana and cuts you down to carrying one day’s water at a time, which is doable.

Strategic

#9

If you shift over to the BMT at Fontana you will have water all the way to Davenport Gap. Recent rains may change the situation by Spring, but the BMT option is a good one. A bit longer and with more ups and downs which is partly why it’s the road less traveled, but it’s there. There is water east of Newfound Gap, so I guess you just take your pick and your chances.

Gene Roll

#10

paw-ee and i just completed a sobo thruhike of the benton mackaye trail and had no problems with water in the smokies on that trail (might be an option for thruhikers who don’t mind alternate routes)…billy goat and captain america were about 10 days behind us and i don’t think they had any problems through the smokies either…but we WERE concerned…a few other water sources south on the bmt were kind of tricky/slow (at one site we had to search a while…the witchhazel clued us in to where the water ran)… and one supposed source at hwy 68 (the coker creek area,i think), the water was non-existent… (an ‘angel’ stopped her car there on the road and offered us bottled water!)…we managed alright for the most part, though, and even had good water from the spring on springer mtn… (that was on november 27th)…but we are still in drought conditions here in the southern appalachians, so PRAY FOR RAIN!)

maw-ee

#11

I was just on the section of the BMT from 20-mile Ranger Station (just down the road from Fontana Village)to Davenport Gap and there was plenty of water. Perhaps it would be worth the alternativre trail since there is a water shortage up on the ridges that the AT follows. Just a thought.

Hammock Hanger

#12

Sorry, I didn’t see Gene’s post. I confirm the water is available on the BMT.

Hammock Hanger

#13

In late October, I was getting these dire warnings. I carried much more water than necessary, but at least I didn’t have to worry. For SOBO’s, Derrick to Fontana is an easy day (we’re smart enough to go downhill.) I was told that there was water on the Eagle Creek Trail most of the way From Fontana to Spence Field, (a good 0.5 miles each way if you go from the AT) I wish the park would post good alternatives. It must be some liability issue.
Rambler

Rambler