Wood Booger Top 5: Best Major AT Road Gaps On North Carolina/Tennessee State Line

I did one of these on the Major Appalachian Trail (AT) Road Gaps of Georgia a couple of years ago so I thought it was time for one on the one on the North Carolina/Tennessee line. I thought of doing this Top 5 after my recent visit to Spivey Gap. The reason I am doing this on the North Carolina/Tennessee line is that the AT runs the course of the state line between the Tarheel and Volunteer states for 217 miles. Starting in the Great Smokies National Park (GSMNP) and going all the way to the Roans there are almost 10 gaps where a major road runs through. What I mean by this is a paved state or federal road. In this section, the roads range from two land roads to interstate highways. The first major road one is Newfound Gap in the Smokies and the last at Carvers Gap in between Roan High Knob and Round Bald. So, here are my Top 5 AT Road Gaps on the North Carolina/Tennessee State line.

Honorable Mention #1:  Tanyard Gap (2,270 ft) - This gap didn't qualify not because it isn't on a major road. Four-lane US-25 cuts through the gap. No, it is not on the state line lying about 2.5 miles away up the AT at Rich Mountain. While not huge it has adequate parking. There is a small bridge that allows hikers to cross the highway.

Honorable Mention #2: Toll House Gap (6,212 ft) - It doesn't
qualify for another reason than Tanyard Gap. While mostly sitting in North Carolina Toll House Gap does have a slice in Tennessee. Unlike Tanyard, Toll House Gap doesn't sit on the main road. It is the dead-end point of the road to the Roan Rhododendron Gardens. While paved it is just a one-mile access road that is closed November to May. But it does have another distinction and that is the Highest Gap on the AT.

Honorable Mention #3: Iron Mountain Gap (2,250 ft) - This is not the other Iron Mountain Gap, which is the only major AT road gap on the North Carolina/Tennessee board I haven't been too. No this Iron Mountain Gap doesn't qualify for two reasons. First, it is entirely in Tennessee and not even close to North Carolina (40.7 miles) with Virginia actually being closer (33.9 miles). The other reason it doesn't qualify is Wilbur Dam Road is not a major road that dead ends at Watauga Lake. But I really like it and wanted to add it.

Number 5: Spivey Gap (3,200 ft) - This is the latest gap I visited
and in some ways the inspiration for this blog, so it needed to be on the list. I had been through here back in 2013 after we took a wrong turn on the way back from Mount Mitchell so my first experience would not be described as a good one. However, the return trip was much better (as Spivey making the Top 5 shows). It has adequate parking and plenty of signage that hasn't been shot or taken. Also, in the summer there is

Number 4: Allen Gap (2,246 ft) - I have to drive through this gap quite of many times and have hiked into it once, back in April of last year. Crossing busy US-70 there is not a lot of parking right at Allen Gap, but some there is a number of spots down the road at an old store called Mom's. You will find mileage sign with elevation on both sides of the road, but there is also a Like Spivey Gap there are no facilities but there is a junction with Hurricane Gap Road. It is also the lowest elevation gap on the list.

Number 3: Sams Gap (3,850 ft) - The AT on the North Carolina/Tennessee line has two gaps that have Interstate Highways cutting through them. The first on I-40, Davenport Gap, didn't make the list but the other Sam's Gap, which I-26 goes through does. If you been to both you would know why. At both the Interstate goes over the AT, but it is obvious that no provisions were made for the trail at Davenport Gap. The parking is scattered and the AT travels the road quite ways from where it comes out of the woods. In contrast, when I-26 was built some consideration was made for the AT, àt Sams Gap, as a nice parking area was installed and the road walk is shorter and more pleasant. Trust me Sam's Gap is better. Oh, like the other two spots (& Davenport Gap) no facilities.

Number 2: Newfound Gap (5,046 ft) - This may be the most famous
of the gaps on this list as it sits on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee in the Smokies. It was from here that President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the GSMNP. The parking area here is by far the largest of any of the gaps on this list, but it needs to be because it always seems crowded. The AT cuts through the parking south from here heads towards Clingmans Dome and north is the direction to Charlies Bunion. Oh, not only are there restrooms here but flush toilets. I will say I love hiking out of here as the trip to Charlie's Bunion may be my favorite trip in the Park. So, Number One has to be special and it is.

Number 1: Carvers Gap (5,512 ft) - The Gateway to the Roan
Highlands, what else really needs to be said. This area is my favorite in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the starting point for the hike up the Roans is hard to beat. It has abundant parking, but because of the Roans, popularity Carvers Gap can fill up. There are facilities here, but the vault toilet can be a little nasty because of the number of people who come through here. While it is beautiful anytime it is especially so in June at the peak of the Catawba Rhododendrons. While I have not been in winter I have heard it can be gorgeous and it is at the top of my to-do list. It is also the highest gap in the Top 5, beating Newfound Gap by around 500 feet. Overall I just love coming to Carver's Gap and that is why it is Number One of My Top 5.