Ideas for an overnight or two destination in the south

twistwrist · Dec 13th 2015, 7:38am

I'm looking for a beautiful overnight hike to take this week some time. I considered doing a section or two of the BMT, but i wondered if anyone here knows of a better option. A loop would be nice but not mandatory.
Preferably looking in Ga, NC, or TN to limit the driving. Ideas? All I really know is the AT.

LIhikers · Dec 13th 2015, 8:19am

I don't know a thing about hiking there, so I have no info for you in that regard.
I'm just surprised that you're not still in the shower, or taking a nap, after your last big hike

CoachLou · Dec 13th 2015, 8:53am

What is the name of that Gorge, east of the AT, in North Cackalacky? It looks very interesting.

OzJacko · Dec 13th 2015, 8:57am

I have very fond memories of the hike north from Hampton TN.

Traffic Jam · Dec 13th 2015, 9:21am

I really like hiking the BMT from the Cherohala skyway up to bob bald and the overlook, you can easily make it a loop. You never know when it'll be fogged in though.

The Occoee River section of the BMT was really pretty. I'm not sure how to make it a loop. Thunderrock campground is next to the Occoee river where they did Olympic kayaking so it's a neat place to camp. There's a great parking area next door and you can head up into Big Frog Wilderness.

The Lakeshore Trail seems like it'd be a peaceful hike but I haven't done it.

Linville Gorge in NC looks cool, Rasty has a trip report on that one.

CoachLou · Dec 13th 2015, 9:22am

CoachLou wrote:

What is the name of that Gorge, east of the AT, in North Cackalacky? It looks very interesting.

Linville..........that's the one....thanx TJ

Traffic Jam · Dec 13th 2015, 9:28am

I reread your post and see that a loop isn't mandatory.

Where's HB, I bet he has some good ideas on the BMT in GA.

jimmyjam · Dec 13th 2015, 10:26am

yeah look at some of Shug's videos on Linville Gorge - looks like a great place and his videos are entertaining. Him and his brother are a trip.

Foresight · Dec 13th 2015, 12:04pm

Foothills trail, sorta kinda... Start at Oconee SP and take the FT to the Bartram Trail into GA then head up the Chattooga to Burrels Ford. Cross over, camp and head back down the FT to Oconee Sp.

Mountain-Mike · Dec 13th 2015, 12:44pm

LIhikers wrote:

I don't know a thing about hiking there, so I have no info for you in that regard.
I'm just surprised that you're not still in the shower, or taking a nap, after your last big hike

You forgot eating. Hiker hunger lasts beyound the hike. Unlimited real food!

I think the best time to end a thru would be day be Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. That way there would be no leftovers to be put away & most serving bowls would be licked clean.

twistwrist · Dec 13th 2015, 3:13pm

thanks all! I'm so used to the AT and its shelters/clear blazing that other trails are a bit scary.

I keep reading how unmarked many of them are. I'm thinking I may just get a section or two of the BMT completed. Tuesday and Wednesday just look too good to be sleeping indoors. Trying to enjoy the next month and a half before I have to get another job.
I appreciate the suggestions!

Traffic Jam · Dec 13th 2015, 3:32pm

twistwrist wrote:

thanks all! I'm so used to the AT and its shelters/clear blazing that other trails are a bit scary. I keep reading how unmarked many of them are. I'm thinking I may just get a section or two of the BMT completed. Tuesday and Wednesday just look too good to be sleeping indoors. Trying to enjoy the next month and a half before I have to get another job.
I appreciate the suggestions!

I know the feeling. I was very nervous about hiking outside of the Smokies and my well-marked trails but it's liberating to get out of your comfort zone. You have to be a little more watchful and adjust your thinking a bit when on the BMT but you will do fine. Do you have the guide?

twistwrist · Dec 13th 2015, 5:27pm

I do somewhere. Going to try to find it tonight. If I can't, we may just do a section of the AT around Long Creek Falls.

Drybones · Dec 16th 2015, 6:44pm

OzJacko wrote:

I have very fond memories of the hike north from Hampton TN.

Me too, got there as a winter storm started, single digits the second night, high wind, heavy snow...myself and another young fellow sprinted to Damascus for safety.

Drybones · Dec 16th 2015, 6:45pm

I really like the Foothills Trail for a nice enjoyable hike.

Trebor · Dec 17th 2015, 12:34pm

Here's another idea- start at the visitors center at AFSP and day 1 make the easy hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn. Have them cook you dinner and breakfast and spend the night. Morning of day 2 head North and cross over Springer and continue to Long Creek Falls. Return to the Lodge that night and then back to AFSP the next day. All you will need is a day pack with a change of clothes , snacks, water bottle, and toiletries.

max.patch · Dec 17th 2015, 12:52pm

Trebor wrote:

All you will need is a day pack with a change of clothes , snacks, water bottle, and toiletries.

...and as an unemployed hiker one of those gofundme accounts begging for money to pay for the inn.

JimBlue · Dec 17th 2015, 1:57pm

max.patch wrote:

Trebor wrote:

All you will need is a day pack with a change of clothes , snacks, water bottle, and toiletries.

...and as an unemployed hiker one of those gofundme accounts begging for money to pay for the inn.

Yeah, I saw some guy on youtube, lots of videos of the AT... and he has a gofundhim site. Nope. He looked capable of work. So he should find a job and fund himself that way.

twistwrist · Dec 17th 2015, 6:30pm

I agree, and as much as I need it, I'd never ask or sign up for something like gofundme for something benefiting myself.

BUT, to play Devil's advocate, if I had a quarter for every time someone has mentioned part of my story or writing or pictures have "inspired" them, I would be able to fund my next hike.

Some people get things out of experiencing things like an AT hike vicariously. So let the guy try! Maybe he'll get a dollar or two and maybe not. It depends on how much his hike is worth to other people

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