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Interesting comparison between the AT and the BMT from Springer Mountain to Davenport Gap: The AT from Springer to Chestnut Branch Intersection: Distance: 236.2 miles Climb: 87,435.7’ Descent: 88,358.3’ Average elevation gain per mile: 370.2'T he BMT from Springer to the AT using Chestnut Branch Trail: Distance: 294.4 miles Climb: 98,060.5’ Descent: 98,867.0’ Average elevation gain per mile 333.1' Overall difference: BMT +58.2 miles, +10,624.8 gain, 10,508.7' loss I bring it up because I was rec…

I just got around to editing the GPS track and waypoint files for the BMT to include the relocation. These new files can be found here: bmtguide.com/gps.html

Thanks guys. My pleasure. I think next week my son and I will probably just go hiking somewhere.

Yesterday we had a small ceremony followed by a hike of part of the new route. It is now official: the old Yellow Creek Mountain Trail is now reopened as a part of the Benton MacKaye Trail. There is still some tasks we need to get in and finish, but you can now hike it without a problem. I've uploaded some files for hikers to use here: http://hikinghq.net/forum/showthread.php?7738-BMT-Re-Route-Handy-Hiker-Files&p=341522#post341522 I'd upload them here, but there are some limits to the file sizes…

apparently the software doesn't like gpx files. To get these download them from here: http://hikinghq.net/forum/showthread.php?7738-BMT-Re-Route-Handy-Hiker-Files

I've created some files hikers may find helpful. Included are a .gpx waypoint file of the reroute, a .cpx file of the reroute track, an updated State of the Trail Report, and pages for the reroute in the style of the BMT Thru-Hikers Guide (c).

appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…0f75189806178b3cbd131e46c Latest update.

It is just perspective. I was closer to the camera than the others.

Yep, I'm the fat one.

We just discovered water at the campsite Rasty and HB stayed at last night. We were coming out from a hard day of brush cutting and trail clearing and these two skinny, stinky hikers were walking up the reroute. The first (as far as I know) BMT hikers to use the new route. That campsite has it all, it would be even better if we could clear some of those trees from the view. I hope y'all make it to Fontana OK, and the weather next week doesn't mess you up too much.

Hikerboy, If you get this, the new reroute to Fontana was brushed out today and blow downs cleared. I would deem it as hikeable using the FS roads to the end of FS251C and then getting on the old Yellow Creek Mountain Trail. We are heading up there in the morning to finish brushing out a section that we couldn't finish (ran out of fuel) and start working back towards Old Field Gap Road. I would say it is conceivable that you could even leave FS251 at Halfmile Branch Gap (FS 251A) and get on the …

Great spot. Your lucky. Maybe I will see you Saturday.

Where is he planning to resupply before the Smokies? Fontana?

Heading up to the BMT to clear the relocation Friday and Saturday. Anyone know if HB will be in the area?

It doesn't get a lot of traffic, but the traffic it does get is pretty hiker friendly. I once got a hitch on that road from the only car I saw in hours. Getting to Smokemont from there is a long ride because it is slow and there isn't much of a direct route. Anyone that you met that could take you that way would probably be a real angel. You could possibly get a hitch from there to the BRP and maybe another from there to Smokemont.

I totally understand. I wish I could be going on a long hike in the near future, but as it is I'll have to live vicariously through your hike. Hope to see you out on the trail.

In case you missed it (and since it is on the other website you probably have): http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?101574-Thread-Fontana-Reroute-State-of-the-Trail-Report&p=1868551&viewfull=1#post1868551 Quote: “Today (Sat.) Lauky and I finished off the new section of the BMT as far as Fontana Village. We started this time at Old Field Gap road. The four miles to the top went very quickly. We continued on to the power line and that section is also in great shape and went quickly. As …

I went up and looked at some of the reroute. No blazing but good flagging. We have a saw trip planned for that 1.9 miles of bad stuff on the 15th of April and another to hopefully finish it on 26 April.

As far as I am concerned there is no good way to do the new reservations system. I hate it, but have to live with it. What I recommend you do is wait until you get to Fontana Village to make a reservation for the park. At that point you will sort of have an idea of how much you want to hike a day and then can estimate the campsites based on that mileage. Theoretically you cannot deviate from your plan. In practice I hear that you will either never meet a ranger that will check your permit to see…

They are good people. Their place is actually very near the BMT, the store is 4 miles away. They might could have your drop at the gap for you.