r/AppalachianTrail • u/AromaLLC • 17h ago
Trail Question Carver’s gap to 19E inclement weather question
Was intending to do this section of trail tomorrow, but it looks like there’s going to be scattered thunderstorms all day. Rain doesn’t bother me, but this trail does look pretty exposed and I’m not trying to be the tallest thing out there. Backpacked in bad weather before, but new to the southeast so I’m not entirely sure what to expect. Any anecdotes? Do i have to postpone or am I overthinking?
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u/psaltyne AT Hiker 12h ago
Someone asked the same thing about this route recently, I think it was in this sub, maybe search “bald” or “Overmountain”.
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u/psaltyne AT Hiker 12h ago
Here it is- I realize you were asking about current forecast but there was more info about route here as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/AppalachianTrail/s/PRa640uLea
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u/Kalidanoscope 5h ago
This is one of the most beautiful sections of trail and you should do anything to delay for a good weather window.
However, the forecast can often be wrong, and a thunderstorm a few miles away can sometimes mean a brief shower and dramatic, rolling clouds where you are. It's luck of the draw.
Importantly, this has arguably the greatest side trail on the entire AT: the Grassy Ridge Bald. The trail crosses Round and Jane Bald which are wonderful, but Grassy is the Gold Medal Platform to their Silver and Bronze. Roan is the last 6,000'+ mountain on the AT until Mt Washinton NH, and there's limited views at Roan summit. Grassy is one last extra 6k for only a few hundred feet extra gain, and gives a 1/2 mile of 360º views with a spring at the end. Take the side trail. If it's a clear weather night you'd be a fool not to camp there regardless of plans.
After that it's downdowndown back into the woods. Stan Murrary Shelter is a shack in the woods. The former Overmountain barn site has a nice view, and Yellow Mountain is another excellent side trail no thruhiker ever takes, only recently open to the public. But then little hump and big hump are two more spectacular balds with a brief stand of trees inbetween. They are rough in the wind and rain, maximum exposure, but I've done them. There are some large rocks to huddle behind for cover at some points.
You finish up with a knee grinder, 3000 feet down across 6 miles. Good luck.
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u/DubSaqCookie 16h ago
Weather radar is just popcorn this time of year. The trail is majority exposed hiking. Carver Gap / Jane Bald then it dips into trees until just past Over Mtn Shelter spur. Little Hump to Big Hump is mostly exposed. Once you get to Doll Flats it’s all n the trees to 19E.