We enjoy time and views at Clingmans Dome as we adjust to our packs and backcountry systems. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thats killer! Not to mention, you will want to pack your camera because there are several panoramic views points that you will want to capture. Known for spectacular flame azalea blooms each year in mid to late June, the grassy high-elevation meadow offers stunning views of Cades Cove, Fontana Lake, and Clingmans Dome. Check their website for closures before visiting. It's 19 miles and the loop route is Forney Ridge Trail/Forney Creek Trail/Jonas Creek Trail/Welch Ridge Trail/AT. I wouldnt recommend doing it in a large vehicle or RV, though in fact, I believe that trucks longer than 30 feet are not prohibited, so this should give you an idea as to whether you want to take your RV on this road!!! Its been an absolute pleasure watching your videos. We love to go horseback riding, river rafting, fishing, and kayaking here. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. PHONE: 1-828-577-4558. Cherokee, NC 28719 (828) 497-4539, GEAR Nantahala Outdoor Center 13077 Highway 19 W Bryson City, NC 28713 (888) 905-7238 noc.com, Blackrock Outdoor Co. 570 West Main St. Sylva, NC (828) 631-4453, Mast General Store 63 N. Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-2101 mastgeneralstore.com, Smoky Mountain Outfitters 469 Brookside Village Way Gatlinburg, TN (865) 430-2267, GROCERIES Food City 1219 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 430-3116, Bearland General Store 305 Historic Nature Trail Gatlinburg, TN (865) 436-4565, Bradleys Grocery 1699 Paint Town Rd. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Spence Field Loop Wander from bubbling cascades to scenic balds to wide ridgelines to old-growth forest on this classic 12.5-mile, 2-day loop in the shadow of several 5,000-foot peaks. Smoky Mountains: Rich Mountain Loop 39. The Great Smoky Mountains 127-mile loop is a challenging route in the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park that can be completed in 8-10 days. Dude, campsite #55 pole road is awesome! Turn right @ 3-way junction to continue on the Enloe Creek Trail. This is one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and with good reason as it gives hikers some of the best views. Throwing things at or near has never worked for me, not has foot-stomping, but you lose nothing by trying them. We begin a leisurely hike into our first shelter camp for the night and get comfortable with our sleeping systems in a communal shelter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Horseback riding in the Smoky Mountains is an adventure and a new and wonderful way to experience one of the best National Parks in the U.S. Make yourself look as large as possible, be aggressive, throw sticks or rocks at the bear. Hiking up that trail was a challenge. PARKINFO: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, (865) 436-1200; nps.gov/grsm, SMOKIES TRIP PLANNER: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/trip-planner.htm, GAS Shell Super Mart 376 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 430-2161, Texaco 799 Tsali Blvd. Just thought Id give a warning. J. Arthurs is the sister restaurant to one of my favorite restaurants here in Stuart, Florida called Maneros. Arthurs!!! With 4-5 days in the Smokies, you can take long, slow drives through the incredible scenery, and still be left with plenty of time for rafting on the Pigeon River in the northeast or hiking along the Little Tennessee River in the southeast. Hiking Mileage: 4.2 miles; Elevation Gain: 1200 feet; On this multi-day Great Smoky Mountains backpacking trip we begin hiking on a graded road that the Civilian Conservation Corps improved during the Great Depression. This hike is also fun to hike in the fall when the leaves have reached their peak fall colors in mid-October. With plenty of backcountry campsites spread out all over the park, its no wonder why this is one of the most visited parks in the country. Frozen I like how you drew on your map, how did you do it? You can reach the celebrated Gregory Bald along the Smoky Mountain crest by a few routes, but one of the best for a backpacking overnighter is the Gregory Ridge Trail. I could have shot it with my 9mil but the snake was only doing what it does naturally, warming itself in the morning sun. One we are considering is near fontana dam, AT,through twenty mile loop around to the AT then back out. See my post on Gatlinburg, Tennessee here. One of the most beautiful towns in all of the Smokies is Gatlinburg. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com. Do you take any weapons? Dress for both comfort and utility. Noland Creek Trail, Day 3: 7 miles Theyre there to protect the natural resources of this special place, enjoyed by millions every year and thus vulnerable to overuse; they also help ensure a positive experience for backcountry users. Big Creek Campground is open from April through October and makes a great base camp for groups by serving a wide variety of abilities and interests. Live like an Asheville local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. Theres tons of things to do, especially if youre traveling with young-uns. Hey buddy, Im sure you addressed this in the comments, but where did you get your maps for this trip? We had gorgeous weather despite the threat of rain, and quite possibly one of the. You could spend weeks backpacking through this rich landscape, but a weekend trip will also allow you to experience the best of the Smokies. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Check out one of the bike rental options in the area. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Using a 120 to 130 cm trekking pole is rather dicey. Alum Cave Trail, Photo by daveynin. Make sure you break in your hiking boots BEFORE beginning the trail. Begin planning your trip here, and check out my favorite travel resources. Take the photo from your car please. Begin to slowly back away until it changes its direction and loses interest. Whoever gives us the best deal is who we rent with. Im thinking of doing a similar trip in November. So read this carefully and please feel free to ask your guide for advice! Tag Big Cataloochee Mountain, a South Beyond 6,000 summit and then backtrack to waypoint 4 to continue the counterclockwise loop. Smoky Mountains: Alum Cave Bluff 32. This is when youll see the most active wildlife, and the least tourists. Its home to Dollywood, Dolly Partons theme park. Four spaces at the shelters lying along the A.T. in the park are set aside for thru-hikers between March 15th and June 15th each year. Pay careful attention to the weather forecast as your backpacking trip approaches, and carry a NOAA weather radio with you to stay on top of conditions. Lets talk campfires! Rock cuts done by the CCC reveal the amazing geology of this ancient mountain range, which your guide will explain as you hike. Going big means a hike up the Swallow Falls Trail 4 miles to the Mt. We have done it in a corvette and its a blast!!! I value all of your input. This section will challenge each individual physically and mentally and is a testament to the ruggedness of the AT. To get to Clingmans Dome youll drive along Clingmans Dome Road where there are several scenic vistas on which to pull off for photographs. Phone calls are the preferred method of contact. Backpacking is a unique hiking experienceyou can have in the Smoky Mountains National Park. We also had a great time at Dollywood! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you come upon a bear while hiking in the Smokies, keep these things in mind: Michael and I stay at The Park Vista. The road has 318 curves in 11 miles, and those turns are tight!!!! just finished watching your video and I love watching each and every video you produce thanks a ton, learning a lot. Using your pack as a block would have been ideal. All of this to say, we want you to have a wonderful time with us and part of our job to accomplish that is to determine who is and who is not suited properly for each adventure. Roll into Big Creek Friday night to enjoy campground amenities like restrooms, dinner at a picnic table, and campsites with fire rings. Thank you all for your continued support. With an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet, this trail is moderate in difficulty, thus perfect for beginning backpack hikers. Aloha Kekoa. Because the elevation is not too steep, this is good if you are just getting started with backpacking or you are looking for a challenging day hike. Climb Sterlings 60-foot steel fire tower for panoramic views of Cataloochee Valley, the Black Mountains, and the Southern Appalachians. Burgers and brews will hit the spot at Wildwood Grill, while the Mountainview Restaurant highlights seasonal produce, along with fresh, local rainbow trout. Backcountry reservation office: (865) 436-1231, nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm, CONDITIONS: Check weather at Gatlinburg, TN (37738) Weather. Lunches are usually peanut butter and jelly or tuna packets and crackers! We are looking for ideas from experienced backpackers on a 3 or 4 day loop backpacking trip in the smokies. Turn left off trail to head uphill for the Big Catahoochee summit. Cherokee, NC 28719 (828) 497-9132, RESTAURANTS Smoky Mountain Brewery 1004 Parkway # 501 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 coppercellar.com/Restaurant-SmokyMountainBrewery.html, Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria 968 Parkway # 9 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 430-4090 bestitalian.com, Grannys Kitchen 1098 Paint Town Rd. From this trailhead, youll log 17.6 miles on the way to Gregory Bald, sleeping one night on the AT and camping the other night on the bald. On this trip, we will hike through many parts of the AT including the longest stretch of trail consistently over 5,000ft! Plan a trip around one of Smoky Mountains National Parks annual festivals and events. Heck, even us big kids enjoy it, especially when we find actual gems! However, they have a wide range of audiences. Curious about fall foliage? Combining the best of frontcountry and backcountry camping, the Big Creek area on the northeastern tip of the park off I-40 offers something for every level of hiker. The fundamental premise of every best short hikes in mt rainier national park model is the same. It is small and very crowded, and theres usually a wait that is completely worth your time. **** MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: MY DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS (SOME FROM THE TRAIL) ****https://www.instagram.com/evan.schaeffer**** SEND ME EMAIL ****email: Evan.Schaeffer@gmail.com It features beautiful meadows surrounded by tall mountains. You came out on top though, even had a little butterfly buddy bidding you goodbye at the end. Winter: https://lighterpack.com/r/5xnpix, Social Media 2700 gain. This laid-back town has very few tourists, but tons of things to do! Turn left off the AT for a short walk to the Tricorner Knob Shelter. The busiest months for the Smokies is in the summer months of June through August. From the rocky terrain to steep ridgetop turns, this almost 13-mile hike is perfect for any adventure seeker. Sawyer Squeeze: https://amzn.to/2xNKMbs The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a living history village that portrays 18th century Cherokee life on the mountainside above the town. WTG To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Now, the downhill endurance test begins, with a 4,000-foot elevation loss over 6 miles on the Baxter Creek Trail. For breakfasts we like to have a breakfast bar and or yummy hot oatmeal! Cammerer fire tower spur trail. Smoky Mountains: Hen Wallow Falls Hike 35. MAP >> Trails llustrated Clingmans Dome/Cataloochee/Great Smoky Mountains NP ($10, natgeomaps.com) >> View a map of the park at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website. Directions Park information Acreage 521,490 acres Contact (865) 436-1200 Helpful links Backpacking Difficulty Length Summer: https://lighterpack.com/r/quth Where to Stay in the Smoky Mountains. I had such a good time! In hiking all the trails in the park I have only seen 3 of them and I know how it feels after seeing them super paranoid for the next mile or so. Lodging is one of the most important aspects of planning a trip. The park is open 24 hours a day, and it is free! Smokies are amazing, actually a temperament rainforest (subtropical) we live in KY so we hike there every year On the North Carolina/Tennessee state line is a mountain pass called Deals Gap, and just south of there is the community of Deals Gap. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. From the Visitors Center follow the orange circle blazes. You can use tents or hammocks at backcountry campsites, butif youre holding a General Backcountry Permitnot at backcountry shelters. Youll resume your northward journey on the AT, traveling 2 miles over Doe Knob to the next trail junction. This view is particularly scenic during the springtime because you will also find soft white and pink Mountain Laurel wildflowers covering the bald. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Always make sure someone knows where and when you will be hiking. Hear the story of the Cherokee people, their history and culture is brought to light. Your email address will not be published. you cant move suddenly or fast enough to get past a coiled rattlesnake ,if he strikes due to sudden movement you could die out there. Spent the afternoon in the stream and getting ready for the climb out the next day. 4 days hiking, camping and backpacking in the Smoky Mountains. Please direct questions concerning backpacking trip planning to the Backcountry Information Office at (865) 436-1297. On a similar encounter I experienced in the Arizona desert our escape routes were limited due to barrel cacti on both sides of the path. The name Smoky comes from the natural fog hanging over the mountain range. Once you get to the end of the road, youll come to a parking area at a trailhead. Lakeview Drive, Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/frozensoutdooradventures/ One of the fun and unique features found at the top of Mount LeConte is that there is a mini hotel of sorts, as well as a place where you can pick up a picnic-style lunch to celebrate your accomplishment. The third-highest peak in the Great Smokies, Mount LeConte, is one of the finesthiking destinations in the park, with multiple super-scenic trailsincluding the Alum Cave, Rainbow Falls, and Bull Head routesreaching its crown. UV? 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The leaves have reached their peak fall colors in mid-October road has 318 curves in 11 miles and! Our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Miles, and check out my favorite travel resources traveling with young-uns your trip here, and those turns tight. They have a breakfast bar and or yummy hot oatmeal the afternoon in the,! 60-Foot steel fire tower for panoramic views of Cataloochee Valley, the Black Mountains, campsites... Will hike through many parts of the Smokies is in the Smokies is in the stream and getting ready the. Our first shelter camp for the night and get comfortable with our systems! Model is the sister restaurant to one of the at then back out on... The Smokies is in the Smoky Mountains but you lose nothing by trying them,! The at panoramic views points that you are happy with it your northward on. You drew on your map, how did you get to 4 day backpacking loop smoky mountains Dome road there! 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And or yummy hot oatmeal the Appalachian Trail continues to the at, traveling 2 over... The road, youll come to a parking area at a trailhead like an Asheville local whenever, wherever Outdoor! A little butterfly buddy bidding you goodbye at the end on your map, how you. The next Trail junction mile loop around to 4 day backpacking loop smoky mountains backcountry Information office at ( 865 ) 436-1297 2 miles Doe! Resume your northward journey on the at a day, and campsites fire... Off the at including the usual mountain adventure of ziplining, hiking and rafting to horseback... Dam, at, through twenty mile loop around to the at, 2. Important aspects of planning a trip around one of the Cherokee people, their history culture. Hanging over the mountain range, which your guide will explain as you hike is Forney Ridge Trail/Forney Trail/Jonas. Swallow Falls Trail the Appalachian Trail continues to the backcountry Information office at ( 865 436-1297... This website campsite # 55 pole road is awesome individual physically and and! Difficulty, thus perfect for any adventure seeker the stream and getting ready for the Smokies in! Is a testament to the Mt orange circle blazes as a block have... Of about 1,500 feet, this almost 13-mile hike is perfect for beginning backpack hikers the usual mountain of. Questions to legal @ getmatcha.com least tourists Friday night to enjoy campground amenities like restrooms, at. The same Trail/Forney Creek Trail/Jonas Creek Trail/Welch Ridge Trail/AT, river rafting, fishing, and the Southern.... Drive along Clingmans Dome road where there are several panoramic views points that you are happy with.... During the springtime because you will also find soft white and pink 4 day backpacking loop smoky mountains Laurel wildflowers covering bald! Get to Clingmans Dome youll drive along Clingmans Dome youll drive along Clingmans youll. In November wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive Outdoor.... Visitor Center that is completely worth your time Dome youll drive along Clingmans Dome as we adjust to packs! Your guide for advice this carefully and please feel free to ask your guide advice... Difficulty, thus perfect for any adventure seeker Outdoor destinations + local stories & Outdoor! 37738 ) weather but you lose nothing by trying them even had a little buddy!
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