Hiking Through

[SGT Rock]

Howdy all. Glad to find this site.

I live in Maryville, TN (when I ain't in Iraq) and I backpack and maintain trail for the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Benton McKaye Trail (BMT). My section of the BMT is down by Cheoha damn. When my boys and I hike or do trail maintenance we usually stop by and get a Dragon burger and watch the bikes as they take off up The Dragon. It's great having that place where it is.

So here is why I am posting - as you may or may not know, the BMT starts a road walk section on the TN/NC boarder and it goes right past Deals Gap on the way to 20 mile ranger station. The trail is about 287 miles long and Deals Gap is at about 187 miles from the southern end in GA and 100 miles from the northern end on the north side of the Smokies at Davenport Gap. When a hiker has been in the woods that long, walking past a place like Deals Gap is like finding an oasis in the desert.

I'm helping to write a hiking guide for the BMT in my spare time while I am stuck in Iraq - and plan to include the Deals Gap services in the guide. I know there is a motel there (rate is $49 + $10 per person over the initial two - unknown max) a restaurant that is open from 8am to 6pm Mo-Th and 8am - 7pm Fri-Su. I also know the store has limited supplies that a hiker would want - but there are some snack foods. And I think tenting is allowed on the premises for $12.

So that is basically what I think I know. Other things that would be interesting to a hiker are showers, laundry, Internet access, holding mail drops, and shuttles to places that have full service groceries. I was hoping I could find out more about what is or isn't offered in those areas at Deals Gap.

Thanks.

[748L052]

Sarge,

Suggestions & opinions from longtime old fart backpacker, riverrunner, fisherman, biker & customer at the gap. Your "think you knows" are the same as my experience but Brad will no doubt provide definitive information. Almost without exception the bike folks who motel & camp are interesting, inclusive people. It would astonish me if backpackers were not welcomed and probably quizzed thoroughly about what they're up to. I know it is very common for a bike to roll in late, tent camp, pay up at store opening in the morning and roll out early. My guess is that if Brad and staff understand the "shuttle" needs better they might be able to coordinate their commute to and from work schedules with walker pick-up/drop off points.I know there is a motel to the east on 28 at Tuskeege that has built quite a lot of business around the AT traffic & walker support. They might be good source of information to use for BMT. & BTW, sarge, come on home dude, we need you here.
Sgt Lee, really long time ago & really far away.

[SGT Rock]

Sarge,

Suggestions & opinions from longtime old fart backpacker, riverrunner, fisherman, biker & customer at the gap. Your "think you knows" are the same as my experience but Brad will no doubt provide definitive information. Almost without exception the bike folks who motel & camp are interesting, inclusive people. It would astonish me if backpackers were not welcomed and probably quizzed thoroughly about what they're up to. I know it is very common for a bike to roll in late, tent camp, pay up at store opening in the morning and roll out early.

I am with you on that man. I have always had great experiences with bike folks. I use to ride some myself, but had a bad experience back in El Paso and haven't ridden since. My bud over here in Iraqi has two hogs and plans to come out to Maryville and ride the Dragon when we get back.

Anyway, the current, interim guide that was available reccomended avoiding Deals Gap. I have told them this is a pretty stupid thing to do considering how great the place is and how nice folks have always been to me. Plus any hiker that has just done 100 miles is going to love the place, the food, and the company.

Right now the trail is fairly new (opened in 2005) and there are not a huge numbers of hikers doing the trail yet. But I plan to hike through myself in April of 2008 after I retire from the Army. Deals Gap is going to be one of my resupply/rest points for sure.


My guess is that if Brad and staff understand the "shuttle" needs better they might be able to coordinate their commute to and from work schedules with walker pick-up/drop off points.I know there is a motel to the east on 28 at Tuskeege that has built quite a lot of business around the AT traffic & walker support. They might be good source of information to use for BMT.

Well I am also going to list the stuff at Tapoco and Fontanna for my section that I cover. But Deals Gap is perfect because it is right there. And since the numbers are not high yet, I don't want to try and get anyone to do anything special for hikers - I just want them to know the services there and how cool the place is. If you are hiking 287 miles seeing some place as destinct as Deals Gap is going to really be a treat.

& BTW, sarge, come on home dude, we need you here.
Sgt Lee, really long time ago & really far away.
I got my ass low and my head on a swivel. 74 and a wake up. Thanks man.

[brad@dealsgap]

Hey 1SGT
We have provided a shuttle for AT walkers in the past with no problem, we are only 6 miles from 20 Mile Ranger station so it is a quick trip in the old Dodge. We do not have many hiker type supplies but like you said we do have snakes ect, and we will be expanding resturant hours and services next year. As far as mail drops go, we do have a postal as well as UPS 6 days a week so no problems their. We do not have a public internet service yet but in an emergency situation we let folks use one of the office PC's. We will do what we can to help out folks regaurdless what the are riding even LPC's. If you need any more info my direct email is brad@dealsgap.com or call us at 800-889-5550.

Brad

[SGT Rock]

Thanks. I will update the current enty in the guide we are working. I'll also stop by and say hi when I get back. If I have any other questions then about that I'll e-mail you.

[toposapper]

Brad;

"but like you said we do have snakes ect, and...", mmmmmmm, snakes. Hope 1SG is the snake-eater type. Me? I'm more of a snack guy.;)

[SGT Rock]

I haven't eaten any snake recently.

[brad@dealsgap]

Been along time since I have had snake, just lick chicken lol......

[khelton]

1st Sgt...I am also a packer and frequenter of Deals Gap Resort. The atmosphere there is open and friendly to all, very outgoing. I can't imagine a packer being treated in any way except well. ( I'm not always welcome but I am sure you would be) . As for Brad, he is pretty much culturally deprived and I am sure snake and Tabasco is one of his favorites.

Thanks for your sacrifices for us all.

[brad@dealsgap]

And Keith wonders why he is not welcome back lol....just kidding Keith is a great guy and we have alot of fun when he is in town.

[khelton]

And Keith wonders why he is not welcome back lol....just kidding Keith is a great guy and we have alot of fun when he is in town.

Francois said I lowered property values...you need more packers :rolleyes:

[SGT Rock]

Well hiker trash can do a number on property values. They tend to stink and look like the walking dead - plus some have been known to eat the leftovers off others plates after 2 or 3 weeks in the woods.

Hey, does that restroom out front have a shower for guests? That would be sweet to be able to stop and take a shower.

[748L052]

Yep, & a serious water heater about 3 pipe-feet away...

[brad@dealsgap]

Yes for gods sake take a shower lol, If you are in during the day you can grab a towel and wash cloth from the cleaning Queens of the Gap, Dona and Iris.

[EMAN]

I am a potential hiker of the BMT from Nashville. In seeking a possible ride for the 6 miles from 20 Mile to Deal's Gap, I chanced upon this in the DG Forum.


Hey 1SGT
We have provided a shuttle for AT walkers in the past with no problem, we are only 6 miles from 20 Mile Ranger station so it is a quick trip in the old Dodge. We do not have many hiker type supplies but like you said we do have snakes ect, and we will be expanding resturant hours and services next year. As far as mail drops go, we do have a postal as well as UPS 6 days a week so no problems their. We do not have a public internet service yet but in an emergency situation we let folks use one of the office PC's. We will do what we can to help out folks regaurdless what the are riding even LPC's. If you need any more info my direct email is brad@dealsgap.com or call us at 800-889-5550.

Brad

Halleleujah!
I wrote a message to Brad and have yet to hear from him. Weather is starting to get nice here so I figure Brad probably has his hands full down there. So I called Deal's Gap (March 11, 2008 @ approx 12:45 pm CST) at the mentioned phone number here and was informed quite certainly that the Gap has NEVER provided a shuttle service for hikers.
I am doing a stretch of the BMT with one other person from Deal's Gap to Hiwassee April 26-May 3. We would like to skip the road walk and catch a ride from 20 Mile Station to Deal's Gap and start from there.
Obviously, we would be glad to pay for this service. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Please feel free to write me at...kareengas@yahoo.com
Thanks.

[luvstohunt]

hey sarg "THANKS FOR SERVING"ia vet myself 74/78 submarines and i know how it feeels to be thanked


dennis in ohio==)