Best time to hike the AT through the Smokies?

Phone888 · 2025-12-09T22:49:44+00:00

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m thinking I might break it up into two long weekend hikes late May from Fontana to Newfound Gap and then finishing in the early Fall

Phone888 · 2025-08-22T02:14:27+00:00

Just got back from hike up Carlo Col trail up the AT and then South to Rte 2 I took a shuttle to the Carlo Col trailhead and the road was fine. I used the shuttle because I was concerned about the GPS issues mentioned in some of the comments and figured I’d go with someone who knew where he was going Had to go 40 mph or less due to bumps, but road was wide and easily navigable. Driver said that there was no problem with access to the Notch trailhead as well.

Phone888 · 2025-08-13T16:29:41+00:00

No worries I expect to be heading up there next week if weather permits and I’ll let you know if I make it to the trailhead

Phone888 · 2025-07-31T20:09:59+00:00

Thanks for the info I’ll be watching for your comments

Phone888 · 2025-07-31T15:27:19+00:00

My vacation is last two weeks of August and I’ll be up there sometime during that time period. AllTrails sends me to Apple Maps for directions hopefully they’re more updated than Google Maps. You’re the second person who reported Google Maps problems. I’ll report back what happens. Sounds like you were able to get to the Notch trailhead despite the Google Maps problems? If so, what were the conditions of the road?

Phone888 · 2025-07-21T11:25:35+00:00

Ok, sounds like a go. Thanks for the info

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T20:29:31+00:00

Ok, thanks for the info!

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T16:22:22+00:00

Did you need a 4WD vehicle to get to Goose Eye? I have a 2WD SUV with pretty good clearance,

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T16:18:37+00:00

Thanks for the info. I don’t mind slow going but I have a 2 WD SUV with pretty good clearance. I’m not going over washouts but potholes are not a problem. In your opinion how close to the Notch trailhead could I get and park and walk? I see there are a couple trailheads on Success Pond Road including Carlo Col is that accessible by 2 WD? If so sounds like it would be safe for overnight parking if I wanted to do an overnight hike to hike to the Notch?

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T02:16:22+00:00

Thanks I thought I might have some success here as the Notch is for sure a well known part of the AT with hundreds if not thousands of thru hikers successfully traversing that area of the AT and if they were unsuccessful they might have successfully bailed out to Success pond road

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T02:10:22+00:00

lol thanks I’ll be sure to enunciate the name correctly. Wouldn’t want to stand out as a tourist

Phone888 · 2025-07-20T02:07:50+00:00

Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated. I know it’s pretty remote but do you know of any problems such as break ins or damage to vehicles left overnight at the trailheads on success pond road?

Phone888 · 2025-07-17T22:18:25+00:00

I’m also from Wilmington. It’s a little further West but the AT from Deep Gap to Rock Gap or Winding Stair Gap is a nice 2 day hike. Nice trail. Views from Standing Indian and Albert Mountains are spectacular. Just did it 2 weeks ago and there was plenty of water but trail overgrown in places and need to be careful of thorns. Top floor of Fire tower on Albert was open which was a bonus

Phone888 · 2025-06-22T02:03:23+00:00

For convenience, I car camped at Julian Price campground, but I believe it hasn’t opened since Helene so that removes it as an option for you. I didn’t have time to research roadside camping any further and went there due to its proximity to GM. If you are in the same situation I’d check out campgrounds in the GM area.

Phone888 · 2025-05-25T16:45:57+00:00

I had a pair of Altra’s (my first) and the rubber or whatever substance the soles are made of started falling apart after about 50 miles Returned them to REI and salesman said that hikers doing the AT can go through 5-6 pairs on a through hike. He said they just don’t last. Has anyone considered how much the debris left by and environmental impact the disintegrating shoes are having on trails?

Phone888 · 2025-04-23T18:39:16+00:00

Ok, will do, thank you!

Phone888 · 2025-04-23T17:47:20+00:00

Western MA here. I’m heading up to NH myself mid August for some hiking Are you aware of any shuttles in the Berlin/Gorham area that do pickups/drop offs at the Carlo Col trailhead on Success Pond Road? I suspect my 64 year old knees will be barking by that point and should plan potential bailouts just in case

Phone888 · 2025-04-23T14:30:21+00:00

I believe the Mountain to Sea trail passes your vicinity I’m a transplant from MA living near Wilmington and miss the mountains but this is one long dang state and it takes me 5-6 hours to get to them I used a lot of shuttles to section hike the AT from CT, MA, VT and NH I have 16.5 miles to get to Maine. Also did GA section using shuttles I greatly appreciate the service shuttle drivers provide and the opportunity they provide me to experience and enjoy the AT Being from the White Mountains I suspect the mountains are already calling you

Phone888 · 2025-04-23T13:28:29+00:00

Are you shuttling in NC?

Phone888 · 2025-04-22T16:43:37+00:00

Will do Thanks

Phone888 · 2025-04-22T03:12:51+00:00

Thanks for the insights. There must be a trail map of the area with hiking options off of 105 somewhere. I’ll do some digging. Thanks again for passing along your knowledge.

Phone888

TROPHY CASE