I'm new to the forum so forgive me if this has been answered somewhere else. I'm older with questionable knees so I am staying at all shelters in this area to keep my miles per day down. What is the reliability of water at these shelters in Sept? Should I bring my gravity or pump filter? Can you LNT camp anywhere on the trail or do you have to be at a shelter?
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Newfound Gap to Low Gap/Cosby
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Hello Espeycaver. Welcome to the Cafe. We are glad you came here to get things started.
We are a small group of hiking enthusiasts who operate the most fun and laid back hiking cul-de-sac on the information superhighway. Most of us are experienced, which is what you call seniors with bad knees.
As for you question, since this is in GSMNP, your best source of info will be the park's web page. They will be the ones to set the rules for this section. I have not hiked the park myself, but I'm pretty sure that dispersed camping is not allowed. You will need to sleep in the shelters and you will need a permit for each night. In many NPs, permits can be hard to come by so I would check right away. There are some exceptions made for long-distance AT hikers who hike into the park from some distance away, but you would not qualify by doing this section.
As for water availability, I can't say. Perhaps someone else can comment. But you definitely need a filter. There is no potable water along the trail. -
In the GSMNP you are not only required to stay in the shelters, you are required to get a backcountry permit to reserve and pay for your shelter spots. (You need to know what specific shelters you plan to stay at.) Camping between shelters is prohibited on the AT in the park. You can apply for your permit 30 days prior to your first night in a shelter. Best to apply as soon as allowable to have the best success of getting a space. Bringing a filter or chemicals to treat your water is a good idea. I can't speak to the current conditions of the water sources. Perhaps the backcounty office or one of the facebook groups can help with that.
In the south you can camp anywhere you want on the AT except for the section in the GSMNP. You do not need to be in or near a shelter or have a permit. The SNP has some regulations but they are not as restrictive as those in the GSMNP.
Here is a link to the permit:
smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=12,000 miler -
I'm extremely experienced.
odd man out wrote:
Most of us are experienced, which is what you call seniors with bad knees.
I got my latest knee injection a couple weeks ago. My left knee has now joined the party. And requires a matching cho-pat brace.2,000 miler -
I use the cho-pat dual action knee strap. For 10 years it was the difference between hiking in pain or hiking pain free. It's supposed to offer more relief than a sleeve, but the cho-pat is the only thing I've used so I can't comment to the accuracy of that statement. (This cho-pat mdel provides support above and below the knee; my PT says I should try a brace that also adds support to the sides. I haven't done that yet.)
The injections are very helpful and are buying me time until I trade in my old knees for some new ones. If you haven't been evaluated by a knee doc you may want to consider doing that.
I just ordered a brace for my left knee. $30 at amazon.2,000 miler -
You’re in TN so you know we’ve had a ton of rain, there won’t be a problem with water in Sept.
Espeycaver wrote:
I thought you could camp anywhere, didn't know how strict the national park was. I also know about the permit requirements. There is now a parking permit required. I'm mainly concerned about water. Are the springs flowing in Sept and gravity filter vs. pump. If I have to dig a hole for water and have a gravity bag I'm screwed.
Lost in the right direction. -
I don’t have experience with gravity filters and my pump filter got clogged in the Smokies and was thrown away so I don’t know the answer.
Espeycaver wrote:
So for the last question, should I bring a gravity or pump filter? My gravity filter is half the weight and will work fine if the pipes are flowing.
(I’ve been using the original Sawyer Squeeze for years without any problems.)Lost in the right direction. -
Cnoc bag and Sawyer filter work great for me.
Espeycaver wrote:
gravity filters are great provided you have flowing water to fill up the bag.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
In that section, most of the water sources are labeled as “seasonal” and “unreliable”. There will definitely be water available in September after the wet summer.
It seems to me that gravity filter vs pump is a toss up, both have pros and cons. Flip a coin and take some aquamira as a backup.Lost in the right direction. -
In over 20 years of backpacking we've only encountered a few times where a pump was needed to get water out of a small or shallow pool.
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Espycaver,
Have you considered Aquamira drops? Light and easy enough.
amazon.com/Aquamira-Chlorine-D…ottles/dp/B000OR111G?th=1“Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
John Greenleaf Whittier -
Always carry as a backup in case something happens with my Sawyer.
IMScotty wrote:
Espycaver,
Have you considered Aquamira drops? Light and easy enough.
amazon.com/Aquamira-Chlorine-D…ottles/dp/B000OR111G?th=1
Wonder if overkill and a just a few extra (3) ounces .The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
Honestly, if the water is from a nice looking spring I just drink it. So far with no ill effects.
If the source looks questionable, this is my backup plan. I find that if I treat the water a few hours before I need it there is no aftertaste.“Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
John Greenleaf Whittier -
I never have noticed an Aqua Mira aftertaste. Definitely did in the old days with the iodine tablets.
Espeycaver wrote:
ok. I guess the aftertaste is better than the old iodine tablets. There should not be much in the water. There is no development above the springs, no cattle, no septic tanks.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
The fun part was what the Iodine water did to your boiled pasta or rice...
Espeycaver wrote:
ok. I guess the aftertaste is better than the old iodine tablets. There should not be much in the water. There is no development above the springs, no cattle, no septic tanks.
“Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
John Greenleaf Whittier -
I used my first nalgene for years before I bought a replacement. You should have seen how it changed the color of my nalgene.
IMScotty wrote:
The fun part was what the Iodine water did to your boiled pasta or rice...Espeycaver wrote:
ok. I guess the aftertaste is better than the old iodine tablets. There should not be much in the water. There is no development above the springs, no cattle, no septic tanks.
When I hiked alone I drank from springs without treament whenever possible and didn't carry a filter. When my wife came with me the only thing she she requested is that I bring the filter so she wouldn't have to drink that iodine water.2,000 miler -
a lot of people carry a small plastic cup to bail water from a shallow pool to fill water containers without pump.
Espeycaver wrote:
gravity filters are great provided you have flowing water to fill up the bag.
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Never needed it, but I know the cup at the bottom of my Jetboil Flash Lite could always be used for that.
odd man out wrote:
a lot of people carry a small plastic cup to bail water from a shallow pool to fill water containers without pump.Espeycaver wrote:
gravity filters are great provided you have flowing water to fill up the bag.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General
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