how are the water sources right now in northeast tennessee? (particularly southward from dennis cove to, say, erwin, or even perhaps on down to hot springs)…also, two campsites we were thinking about but have never stayed at near roan mtn (the town) : the one a couple miles south of walnut mtn rd (mile 65.6 according to the '06 data book), and doll flats (at mile 77.0)…they both indicate a water source…can anyone fill us in on this info?..thanks
maw-ee and paw-ee
Water sources at beginning to get strained between Dennis Cove and Erwin. Was near Unaka last weekend. Springs in the area were little more than seeps. Could not find spring at Cherry Gap Shelter. No blue-blazed trail to follow. Have been to Doll Flats numerous times but have never been able to find spring there. Spring at Ash Gap on Roan is wet-weather spring and unreliable at best.
BC
Did Iron Mt Gap to Carver’s Gap last weekend. Filled up at a Blue-blaze spring about .5 mile N of Clyde Smith Shelter and at Ash Gap. Both were low but could get water with a little work.
There is a great campsite near Walnut Mt Rd that is right beside Elk River.
SnakeDr
Hey M & P,
Water is okay at Dolls Flats, but looks more like a wide, small waterfall than a single-source spring. There’s a strong piped spring at the foot of Unaka Mtn (southern side), blue-blazed across a gravel road. It’s 1.5 mi north of Beauty Spot.
Mango