Date: 2003-10-13
To: Hostel Review
Miles today: 0.0

This is the list of all hostels in which I stayed, with a list of amenities and a few comments about each place. The letters under ¢Meals¢ stand for:B(reakfast), L(unch), and D(inner) if the hostel offers these meals. All of these places hold maildrops. Don¢t count on getting internet access at ANY hostel, even if they say they have it. If they do have it, the connection will be very slow and there will be a dozen hikers waiting to use it.A pleasant surprise for me on the trail was the ease of hitching rides, so I ended up going to more off-the-trail hostels than I originally planned. Getting a ride to/from any of these was always easy.I don¢t regret staying at any hostel ¢ I¢m glad I had a variety of experiences at the different places. The hostels are unique; because the personality of the owners is strongly represented in the way the places are run. Some are clean, some dirty, some strict, and some are wild. Try to be open to all and enjoy them for what they are. I would be most disappointed in a hostel where I could not get a good night's sleep because of the discomfort of the sleeping arrangements or noise.Walasi-Yi Center (Neels Gap) Bed ¢ Bunks with mattressShower, Laundry, Kitchen (m¢wave), Groceries, PhoneThis is a convenient stop at the start of the trail. The owners here are out to make a buck, and there is no other option around for lodging or supplies. On the upside: everything you need (and good advice) is available here. Tip: check out the hiker box in the bunkroom before buying anything. There is an abundance of cast-off food and gear. This is not the cleanest place, and some hikers had their food bag raided by mice inside the bunkroom. Hang your food! Nantahala Outdoor Center (Wesser)Bed ¢ Bunk with mattress Shower, Laundry, Groceries, Meals (B,L,D), PhoneA huge complex with everything you need. It is a little bit of a walk between the bunkroom and the store/restaurant. Bunkrooms are clean and quiet.Standing Bear Farm (north of Davenport Gap) Bed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, Laundry Kitchen (grill), Groceries, PhoneBunkrooms on the property of a private residence. The owner (Curtis) is trying to make a living off this, so he attempts to stock everything a hiker might need. Curtis also runs shuttles. He is very friendly and helpful. There is a good chance he will build a fire and hang out with the hikers. Close to trail - a great place to stop after getting through the Smokies. Internet was advertised but did not work.Elmers (Hot Springs, NC)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all bedding Shower, Meals(B,D)Stopping here is a must! Interesting old building. Elmer has a few rules (no beer) and may seem a little gruff on the surface, but he is very nice and friendly. They cook gourmet organic vegetarian breakfast and dinner and will keep it coming until you are full. Everything else you need is in easy walking distance from the hostel. Greasy Creek Hostel (23 miles north of Erwin, TN)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all bedding Shower, Laundry, Kitchen, Groceries, Meals(B,D), Phone, InternetThis hostel is on a private residence that is not easy to find. The side trail to the house is overgrown and a little long. I wonder how long they will stay in business. The internet really does work and can be used since there are usually few hikers staying. 2004 update: A "Greasy Creek Gap" sign has been added, and the side trail cleared, so this hostel is much easier to find - looks like they'll be in business for a while!Mountain Harbor B&B and Hiker Cabin (added in 2004)Bed - mattress with "real" beddingShower, Laundry, Kitchen, some phone accessThis is a gem that is not yet in Wingfoot's book, located on 19E less than 1/2 mile towards the city of Roan Mountain (NOBOs go left on 19E). Cabin has a fridge with some freebie snacks & drinks. King of the Road Steakhouse nearby. Safe place to leave a vehicle (instead of the ploblematic 19E parking area). Reasonable, beautiful B&B rooms also available at reasonable prices, that include an awesome breakfast.Kincora HostelBed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, Laundry, Kitchen, PhoneThis is a fantastic deal for a recommended donation of $4. Please give more. This hostel has wide reknown, and will fill up in the peak of thru-hiker season. Bob Peoples is friendly and will come by offering rides into town where pizza, Chinese food, and groceries are available. Bob will also do longer shuttles for a fee. The Kitchen is stocked with previous hiker¢s leftovers - a good place to cook group meals.Laurel Fork CampgroundBunk with mattress, Shower, Laundry, Kitchen, Meals, Pay Phone, Internet, Meals(B,L,D)This campground is on the same road as Kincora, so I did not visit during my thru-hike of 2003. I did stay during my section hike in 2004, and was impressed. They have spacious accomodations and some private cabins. John (who runs the place) will make multiple trips into town most days, shuttles hikers as far as Damascus, and schedules drop off/pick-up for hikers wishing to slackpack. All services and meals are inexpensive. Great burgers!Dave¢s Place Hostel (Damascus)Bed ¢ bunk with mattress ShowerSimple, functional hostel across from (and run by) the outfitter, right in the middle of everything in town.Four Pines Hostel (Catawba, VA)Bed ¢ Mattress on garage floorShower, KitchenThis place may have been forced out of business because of problems this year. Hostel located in walking distance of the trail in a 4-car garage behind a private residence. The hiker friendly owner is a hiker himself and enjoys the company. He will give rides to nearby convenience store and the Homeplace restaurant. Run by donations. Having beer at hostels is probably not a good idea, and this place had more than any other hostel, which led to its problems. It was not easy sleeping in an open garage space at this massively popular and noisy hostel.Blackburn AT Center (13 miles short of Harpers Ferry)Bed ¢ bunk, no mattressShower(cold), PhoneAnother donation-only facility. This is an interesting place to stay, and there are often opportunities to mooch a free meal.Ironmasters Hostel (Pine Grove Furnace, PA)Bed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, Laundry, Kitchen, Groceries, PhoneIt really is a mansion! Conveniently located right on the trail a day north from Caledonia State Park and a day south of Boiling Springs. A great place to stay and digest the ice cream challenge (held at the camp store next door). Tip: When you leave northbound, there is a convenient lunch stop at Green Mountain General Store 9 miles away. Presbyterian Church Hostel (Delaware Water Gap) Bed ¢ Bunk, no mattressShowerRight on the trail, and everything else (except laundry) is in walking distance in town. This facility is a little cramped, making for a hot and noisy place to sleep. If I had it to do over again, I would make a brief town stop and move on to Mohican outdoor center 10 miles north.Mohican Outdoor Center (10.5 miles north of Delaware Water Gap) Bed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, Kitchen, Groceries(minimal), Meals(L), Phone This place has a large and comfortable bunk room in a nice setting. They have sodas and make sandwiches for lunch, and sell a few snack items.St. Thomas Church Hostel (Vernon, NJ)Bed ¢ floor spaceShower, Laundry, Kitchen, Phone, Internet One of the best hostels on the trail. Everything is available right in the hostel, including a shower with soap and shampoo, and laundry with detergent. The only negative was open-floor sleeping which leads to a later bedtime with hikers up talking and lights going out late. Restaurants, grocery and P.O. are in easy walking distance. Trail angels stop by here, and rides to Campmor and other cities are often available to hikers taking a zero. Graymoor Spiritual Life Center (north of Hudson River crossing, NY)Bed ¢ shelter-like Shower(cold), Meals(D)I had one of my least comfortable nights on the trail here, trying to sleep on a picnic table in muggy weather while being buzzed and bitten by mosquitoes. I missed the dinner, because I arrived after 4 pm, and they no longer do breakfast. This stop was disappointing to me since I had read about how they took in hikers in the past. Now they seem to keep hikers at arm¢s length. Stay only if you can make it for dinner. Maria McCabe Boarding (Salisbury, CT)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShower, Meals(B) In walking distance of the trail, but it is a tough house to find, and the owner is not good at giving directions on the phone! Look up the address on a street map before going on your hike, if you plan to come here. This is a convenient stop with no other cheap lodging in town. Maria will provide toast and fruit for breakfast.Bascom Lodge Hostel (On top of mount Greylock) Bed ¢ Bunk, no mattressShower, Groceries(minimal), Meals(B,D), PhoneThere are a couple of lodging options here, and I chose the cheapest which was a bunk in the garage away from the main lodge. This was a mistake, because the stock room was in the bay next door, and I got woke up by the overhead door opening and slamming shut late at night and early in the morning. The bunkrooms in the lodge where much nicer and cleaner. The lodge was a nice place to hang out. Sutton Place (Manchester Center, VT)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShowerOne of the few hostels where I felt like I didn¢t get my money¢s worth. The bed was in a shared room (no A/C), so a few hikers could get more for their money by sharing a hotel room. Tip: Go to one of the outfitters in town and ask about families that will take in hikers.The Barn (Gorham, NH)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShower, Laundry, KitchenA nice hostel in a great trail town. This town reminded me of Hot Springs ¢ everything available and in walking distance. Upstairs in the barn is cold! Use your sleeping bag in bed instead of the blankets.Andover Guest House (Andover, ME)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShower, Laundry, Kitchen, Phone, InternetThe eccentric owner turned off some hikers, but don¢t let that bother you ¢ she is harmless and this place is a great deal. The hostel is in the middle of a quaint little town. It is worth staying here just to hang out in this tiny town. Part of the rap against the owner is that she is intent on keeping a clean house ¢ which was a positive trait in my opinion. She will return you to the trail, and even pick you up again if you do a 10-mile slackpack and stay a second night.   There is a huge video collection available, and this is a rare hostel where you really can get a little internet time.Gull Pond Lodge (Rangeley, ME)Bed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, PhoneThis hostel may not be around long, because the owner (Bob) is considering selling. He is very helpful and a good story teller. He will give rides to places in town and back to the trail. I did a 13-mile slackpack from Oquossoc and stayed 2 nights. Bob puts out a ton of food (cereal, bagels, coffee) for breakfast, but does not cook. I loved the town of Rangeley.Caratunk House (Caratunk, ME)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShower, Laundry, Groceries, Meals(B,L,D)Unfortunately, hikers tend to rush down the trail to catch the early ferry over the Kennebec River and stop by the Caratunk House only for lunch. This is a great place to stay ¢ I wouldn¢t pass the chance to stop here. Paul puts out the best breakfast of any hostel. There is no TV reception but they have a big video library.Shaw¢s boarding house (Monson, ME)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShower, Laundry, Meals (B,D), PhoneThis is an interesting place with a lot of character and trail history. It would be better if Keith Shaw senior did not feel compelled to deride the Pie Lady. Nonetheless it is a great stop, and again a neat town (I liked all the towns in Maine). They do sell some gear. Don¢t miss the huge breakfast. Whitehouse Landing (Mahar Tote Road in the 100 mile wilderness)Bed ¢ Bunk with mattressShower, Groceries, Meals(B,L,D)I consider this to be another ¢must stop¢ on the A.T., for the uniqueness of the boat pick-up and the beautiful location. This is the best setting of any hostel. The rap against this place is the cost of things. The owners are trying to make a living and it is difficult to get supplies to this remote location, so you won¢t escape without parting with a little money. I stayed there with another hiker and we both spent over $40 on the stay, shower, meals and a little food to take on the trail. I thought it was well worth it to stay in such a scenic location and eat like a lineman. The burger was the biggest I¢ve ever seen and breakfast was AYCE. Tip: From 2pm until 4pm the store and the grill is closed. They re-open from 4pm until 6pm.Appalachian Trail Lodge (Millinocket, ME)Bed ¢ ¢Real¢ bed with all beddingShowerThis old house, right on the main street was a little stuffy, featureless, and more expensive than the typical hostel. Hikers would do better to share a room at the Katahdin Inn, which has an indoor pool, hot tub, and laundry in the hotel. Tip: Look for a printable coupon at www.Roomsaver.com