Welch-Dickey on a {gulp} Sunday?

[WhiteMTHike]

First let me state that I've done Welch-Dickey many times but always in the fall and on a weekday, you know those "mental health" days.

My wife and I have a trip to the Whites planned for the weekend before Memorial Day (May 20-21). She's not a hiker but is in good shape from working out so I figure the Welch-Dickey trail would be good for her. My question is this, just how crowded does it get there on a Sunday? I don't mind seeing other people but would I be able to get a parking space in the lot? Here again, I've always done this trail and others in the WMNF during the week and never had an issue with crowds. Thanks.

 

[DougPaul]

It can get crowded on a nice weekend day. I've been there when cars were parked out on the access road for a distance. (This was a number of years ago before the current nice big parking lot was built. Also don't know what the regs are on parking out on the road.)

One trick is to get there early... Or when the weather is less than perfect.

Doug

 

[sli74]

I have done Welch Dickey with a group of beginners on a beautiful Saturday. The trick is to get there VERY VERY early, like start hiking at 6 am . . . no problem with parking at that time and you will have some solitude before the crowds show up. There is a LOT of parking there so with an early start, that won't be an issue.

sli74

 

[sapblatt]

Early is always the best answer for the popular trails...6-7am should beat almost everyone...this works on trails like the Old Bridal Path and Caps Ridge as well...I hiked both of them on September Saturdays with gorgeous weather and did not see anyone else until 11-12noon.
An easier hick like Welch Dickey has most people starting much later in the day.

 

[WhiteMTHike]

Thank you all for the advice. Looks like it'll be a very early start that Sunday morning.

 

[arghman]

?? It can be a mixed bag. I've been there on a wkend when it was very busy, I've been there on a wkend (last Sep) around noontime when there were only 6 or 7 cars there.

 

[audrey]

To get away from the crowds, definitely start early, and when you're on Dickey, walk west to the lower ledges - we have never had to share that space with anyone.