Picking A Path or Section At A Time

Picking which path to take is a human condition.  Picking a college, picking a significant other, picking what pants to wear with which shirt.  It is never ending, ugh.  Some paths however are easier and more fun to pick than others.  One such path for me was picking which path (section) of the Appalachian Trail to hike.  A trail that passes through fourteen states and covers over 2,200 miles offers a lot of choices.

When making a decision I like to know all my options so the research began with the following considerations...

1. Recommended Best section hikes on the Appalachian Trail

    List of Best 12, Outside Magazine, and here is another good resource from USA Today.

2. Most appealing and scenic

3. Mileage/time 

4. Accessibility

5. Rewarding End

My research steered me toward the Great Smoky Mountains.  The Smokies have been sung about, talked about, featured in movies, and written about. Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. -John Muir.  I am walking the path covered in dirt.

Smoky Mountains

After researching the geographic features that surround the Smokies the section I wanted to hike started to materialize.  Shortly after leaving the Smokies there is a great town on the AT, Hot Springs, North Carolina.  Like the name suggests there are hot springs. This town also offers a spa with massages for the weary hiker and minerals baths.  A great motivator to make it to the end.  Especially when your hiking pal gets you a gift certificate to Hot Springs Resort for your b-day. 

Fontana Dam

At the beginning of the Smokies lies the tallest dam in the United States, Fontana Dam.  

From Fontana Dam to Hot Springs is just about 100 miles.  Just didn't seem long enough.

Taking into account where we could fly in and out of, our starting point ended up being Deep Gap, NC. Deep Gap is located close to a hiker friendly town of Franklin, NC.  

Having worked out the section, scenery, mileage, accessibility, and a rewarding end.  The path was chosen and the planning continued.

Keep reading to find out ... How We Get There, What Gear We Take, and What We Eat for 200 miles.