8.9 Mile AT Hike - Tanyard Gap to Allend Gap.

This was a nice 9.2 mile hike on a pleasant section of the AT. 

Two of us did this hike. After about 2 miles and a steady uphill climb we reached Rich Mountain and an old fire tower. The first two miles of this hike were fairly crowded as the old fire tower was a destination hike. We saw no one else on the trail once we passed the tower.

The old fire tower had been upgraded into an observation tower. It had a new stainless steel grated staircase. The floor of the tower was also new grated stainless steel. Around the top of the tower was a wide wooden deck, which was great for photo ops. There we took some photos for a couple that were there sharing the view.

The only wildlife we saw on the hike were catapillars.

The trail had very few rooty sections and no rocky section to speak of. Also, no really severe ascents of descents, though quite a few ups and downs. We stopped for lunch at the Spring Mountain Shelter and spent a total of 5 hours and 12 minutes on the trail.

This will be a moderate one-way hike on the Appalachian Trail that will require an auto shuttle. It will be 8.9 miles in length and one should plan on spending 6 hours on the trail. The hike will begin at about 2278 ft. and gradually ascends to about 3400 ft. before its descent to Allen Gap.

The hike will be a low elevation walk that winds through second growth woods, white pine stands , and sheltered creek valleys. The high point of the hike will be Rich Mt., a short spur trail off of the AT.

The hike ascends through mountain laurel and then rhododendron near the beginning of the walk as it approaches a ridge line. The trail crosses several small ridges and passes open areas with views of Tanyard Gap. At about 2 miles into the hike we will come to a 0.2 mile spur trail to Rich Mt. (3643 ft). We will take it , if it is not overgrown. At this point we should also see shagbark hickory trees. The Rich Mt. summit has an old fire tower. Views of Mt.Mitchell to the southeast can be seen from here.

On the next descent we may run into stinging nettle. The descent will bring us to Hurricane Gap (2900 ft) at about 3.5 miles into the walk. We ascend from here to an open ridge line. Here we may see bear santuary signs.

At abut 5.2 miles we reach the Spring Mt. Shelter. A good place for lunch. After a short ascent we begin our descent to Deep Gap. We should hear cicadas here. From here we will ascend Buzzard Roost Ridge and will look down over a deep valley. From here begins the descent to Allen Gap here.

There are beds availble at the Laughing Heart Hostel in Hot Springs, about a block from the Smokey Mountain Diner.