Welcome to the most scenic stretch of trail in North Carolina (and Tennessee). From the git-go at Carver’s Gap, the Appalachian Trail passes over Round and Jane balds (with a side trip to a third, Grassy Ridge, possible), offering sweeping views of the North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia mountains. There’s some intimate high-ridge hiking (the mountain ash should be coming into bloom), then more balds: Little Hump and Hump mountains. At this altitude, which flirts with 6,000 feet, we we will catch the onset of fall color from the Roan Mountains.

This three-day, two-night trip starts from Carvers Gap on the Appalachian Trail and heads north for 14 miles. Particularly stunning are the three balds in the first couple of miles and the famous Hump and Little Hump mountains about 10 miles later.
Day 1: We will set off from Carver’s Gap around 2 p.m., hike 5.5 miles and establish camping the meadow at the Overmountain Victory Shelter.
Day 2: We hike 5.3 miles, past Yellow Gap, over Little Hump to Hump Mountain and on to Doll Flats for camp on night 2..
Day 3: Hike out, a little more than 3 miles, to US 19E.

We will have a trip planning session on Zoom on Monday, Aug. 19, at 6:15 pm.

This trip includes:

• Eguide with details on trip, including an overview and what to bring
• Maps, both an overview map of the entire hike and maps of each day’s hike
• Route descriptions, for each day
• Zoom planning session on Monday, Aug. 19
• Shuttle to Carvers Gap
• Shower afterward, before heading home.

This is a challenging backpack trip. Though it trends downhill, there are good climbs along the way. You must be in good shape for this hike. We are a beginner-friendly bunch, but you will need to have some experience — and your own gear — for this hike. If we haven’t hiked with you, we will have a phone chat beforehand to make sure this trip is a good fit.