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I'm heading up next week to hike the Standing Indian loop on the AT for the first time. For those who have done that loop, how are the water sources? Being Fall, I'll assume some of the lower flows will be dried up and Kimsey will have water so mainly I'm talking about the AT from Standing Indian to Rock Gap.
Thanks!
There are pretty good water sources up there. They were quite plentiful over Memorial Day. The water sources at the old Carter Gap shelter should be good. The water at Betty Creek Gap is about 100 yards off the trail but it's well marked and an easy walk. The spring at Rock Gap is spitting distance from the shelter and flows very well.
Thanks Jax! Just what I needed.
I second that, at least from the POV that I haven't been there in a few years. But the 2 times I've done it, water was plentiful for the majority of the hike. It may have been the full loop, but if I don't need water, I'm pretty bad at looking for it. :D
Be sure to take the side trip (1/2 mile?) to the summit of Standing Indian, & take your camera. I thought the views atop Albert were a bit better but the side trip to SI is worth it, if only for a lunch break, which is what I always do. IF that is as far as you are going for the day, lots of hanging spots on that side trail & water the opposite direction of the summit trail on the AT.
FYI: The S side of Albert (If going that far) can be a bit,,,,,,, challenging. Take your time & you will have fun. IF going up it, the reward is worth the effort. If going down, you are paying for the views you just saw. :D
Agreed. The climb up Albert from the south is an a$$ kicker. So much harder than the north side. However, it only lasts about 30 min and the payoff is big. Don't skip the tower! Make sure you climb to the top for some awesome views!Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctari
If you happen to find a GorillaPod tripod around Standing Indian it's mine. Lost it less than a mile into my hike and never found it. :(
I think the input is great but:
Memorial Day -----> Labor Day (lots can change)
A few years ago -----> 2011 (lots can change)
I'd wait out a recent hiker's comment before I set off with a liter bottle.
I've been on the AT when three "reliable sources" weren't even damp. JMO
Several years back, some friends & I hiked that loop. We went through a long stretch w/o seeing water. We were running low & didn't know when we would come to another source, but we saw a few seeps along the trail.
You know, the kind were a long line of drops are coming of a rock & soaking right into the ground below.
Holding a water bottle under even the fastest of drips would be a slow way to get water, so I took out a clean trash bag & formed a long basin under the line of drips. I used small logs to form sides on the basin.
We soon had all the water we wanted & pumped it into our water containers.
Good advice. I've been keeping an eye on the weather and it's raining there now and a 60% for Thursday. That doesn't mean that next Thursday there will be any residual flow left over but it won't hurt. I use the Sawyer Squeeze filter and plan on that 2 liter being my base carry water. I'll start with that and my 24oz water bottle full and everything may change if I get more info later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Running Feather
I've only had one hike where I had to scramble for water and it was North Georgia on the AT and no fun. Don't want to do that again.
Go Tim :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by slowhike
Now that's ingenuity :boggle: