Shelter:Overmountain

Shelter	Overmountain
Capacity	30 People
Privy	Yes
Trail Head Distance N	8.7 Miles
Trail Head Distance S	5.0 Miles
Elevation	4,550 Feet
Latitude	{{#lat_deg2dms: 36.123615}}
Longitude	{{#long_deg2dms: -82.054214}}
Nearest Medical	Elizabethton, TN
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Shelter Dismantled
Due to severe structural damage risking collapse due to a downward slope slide, the NEPA decision by the USFS published on 11/8/2023 was to dismantle the Overmountain Shelter, keeping the tent campsite and privy available. The former barn was removed from the field in November 2023.

Description

Arguably the most unique shelter on the entire Appalachian Trail with a great view looking down into Roaring Creek Valley. A classic wooden two-story barn built in the 1970s to meet the needs of a local farm, it was later converted to a shelter and renovated in the 1990s. The barn comfortably accommodates up to 30 people and is the only TEHCC shelter with a privy.

Location

Near Yellow Mountain Gap, between U.S. 19E and Carvers Gap. The shelter is 0.3 miles east of AT. on a blue-blazed side trail. In the Pisgah National Forest, Toecane Ranger District. Located on the Carver's Gap to US19E section.

Water

Spring located on blue-blazed trail between shelter and AT.

Maintenance History

• Sept 2013: Multiple shelter improvements. A 7'x6' sliding barn door was installed for the loft opening. Lower sleeping platforms reinforced with new legs and braces. Drainage addressed around the barn. Picnic table repaired.
• May 2012: Replaced 15 loft floor boards with old barn boards. Refastened picnic table legs with screws. After six years, the privy was again repaired and relocated over a new 5'x4'x4' pit. The old pit was covered with a row of 8" logs, then dirt from the new pit, and finally the old toilet lid was placed on top.
• 2010: Replaced 2x10 framing and bottom two feet of siding on uphill side with treated lumber, installed guttering on uphill side, painted roof on uphill side and painted entire exterior using grant funds from North Carolina Appalachian Trail License Plate.
• 2006: Replaced tops of ground level sleeping platforms with painted plywood using grant funds from North Carolina Appalachian Trail License Plate.
• Mar 2006: Relocated privy. The platform was enlarged and placed over a 5'x4'x4' hole lined with rough sawn pine boards. Old hole with soil and logs.
• 2002: The "Older American" crew installed braces at each bottom end of the barn on the side where the sleeping areas are located. It should be more stable during wind events now.
• 1996: Framed the ground level and put in gravel to eliminate the dust. Covered the upstairs wall cracks to prevent entry of wind and rain. Built two sleeping platforms on the ground level. Built a bench upstairs. Painted the outside and installed a picnic table.
• 1995: TEHCC and Fred Lashley installed new roof.
• 1993: Reinforced structure in loft area. Dug ditch on back side, lined with plastic and filled with large rock for drainage. Enclosed stairwell and opening in loft with safety rails, cut door opening on ground level and installed bench upstairs.

Photo Gallery

• 

  Overmountain Shelter

• 

  Viewing shelter from above

• 

  View of shelter in fog

Shelter name	Section	Trail distance from Damascus
Abingdon Gap Shelter	US421 to Damascus	10.2
McQueens Knob Shelter (emergency shelter)	US421 to Damascus	11.7
Double Springs Shelter	TN91 to US421	18.5
Iron Mountain Shelter	Wilbur Dam Rd to TN91	26.2
Vandeventer Shelter	Wilbur Dam Rd to TN91	33.0
Laurel Fork Shelter	Dennis Cove Rd to Wilbur Dam Rd	49.5
Moreland Gap Shelter	US19E to Dennis Cove Rd	57.0
Mountaineer Falls Shelter	US19E to Dennis Cove Rd	66.6
Stan Murray Shelter	Carver's Gap to US19E	86.5
Roan High Knob Shelter	Iron Mountain Gap to Carver's Gap	91.7
Clyde Smith Shelter	Iron Mountain Gap to Carver's Gap	100.2
Cherry Gap Shelter	Indian Grave Gap to Iron Mountain Gap	109.3
Curley Maple Gap Shelter	Nolichucky River to Indian Grave Gap	122.2
No Business Knob Shelter	Spivey Gap to Nolichucky River	132.7

Per the 2021 AT Data Book.