WhiteBlaze > Appalachian Trail Forums > AT Shelters & Lean-tos > N.C. & Tennessee > 1st time hiking AT. Need advice on route.
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Hello everyone. My plan is to complete a 3 day hike. We were going to start and park one car at Clingman's Dome (Section 18, MM 7.9) then hike SW to Twentymile Trail (Section 18, MM 36.0) where we will park our other car. Just wondering if anyone see's a problem with this route or parking spots? Also, do I need a permit to camp overnight in the Rockies? Where would I find a map that shows the shelters and water sources on this route? I know it's a newbie question. Anything would help.
I meant the Smokies. Thanks for the help. Looks like Derrick Knob and Russel Field will be the best spots to stop and camp, mileage wise. Now I just need to call the Backcountry reservation office. Is there a fee to get the permit?
There is no cost as far as i know. But if you are going on a weekend, get your permit soon. Smokies can be crowded.
This is the map you're looking for.
Might want to consider just hiking down to the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center instead of Twentymile. The Vistor's Center is staffed by retired TSA workers who get two weeks room and board in return for their volunteer services. Twentymile looked deserted when I was there in September. Pros and cons to leaving your car both places.
another question to answer is when are you planning this trip and how many are going. If you use only one car, park it where you want to finish, pay a stuttle service to pick you up and drop you off at your starting point. If your group is large where you need two cars, depending on the size you may not be able to get enough permits for you all to stay together. It that case park one car at first point and half the group, letting them start the hike. Then drive the other car to point 2 and park that car and start to hike. Group 1 could stay in the first shelter they come to, and group 2 stay in the first shelter they come to. As you meet in the middle, switch car keys and set a time and place when you finish to meet and drive home.
Parking at Fontana end is pretty well monitored. Probably a better spot to leave a car than Twenty Mile.