Shenandoah vs. Smokies for a 4 day solo trip next month?

I'm torn between doing a 4 day loop around Old Rag in Shenandoah versus the Fontana Dam to Clingmans Dome stretch in the Smokies. I did Old Rag once before with my brother and the rock scrambles were a blast, but I've never backpacked the Smokies at all. The permit for the Smokies is only like 10 bucks more, but I keep reading about heavy bear activity near the shelters in April. Has anyone done both and can tell me which route has better water sources this time of year?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy30213d ago

...and that's why I always carry an extra water filter now. I did the Fontana to Clingmans stretch two Aprils ago and half the streams were barely a trickle. Had to melt snow near the top of the Dome for cooking water, which was a pain. The bears were out but they mostly ignored me if I made noise. Old Rag's got way better water sources that time of year, those streams off the ridge run strong until June usually.

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the_viola13d ago

Oh man, "barely a trickle" hits home. I remember doing part of the AT in Georgia one May and I swear I walked past three creek beds that were just dry rocks with a little mud at the bottom. Had to ration my water way more than I planned. It's funny you mention melting snow too, I tried that once and ended up with gritty water that tasted like dirt and pine needles no matter how many times I filtered it. I guess I'd take a strong stream over a bear encounter any day though, even if the bears are mostly chill like you said.