The Appalachian Path runs for over 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine. Whereas there are a number of part hikes to decide on from for these not seeking to thru-hike it, the stretch by Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is a bucket listing merchandise for a lot of.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to hike this unbelievable stretch of path with two of my dearest buddies as a part of what has develop into a convention of selecting to endure bodily struggling for my birthday. Earlier than the hike, my two buddies hadn’t met one another, however I knew the pairing can be excellent. And, on a path as unforgiving because the AT by the Smokies might be, having an abundance of confidence in and love on your companions ranks as excessive as well-fitting mountain climbing sneakers, for my part.
By the point the three of us completed the AT by the Smokies, I can solely say that I cherished these two ladies greater than ever and I’ll cherish these miles collectively for the remainder of my life. Regardless that some had been actually dang onerous.
In case you’re seeking to hike the AT by the Smokies, under, you’ll discover a complete information to jumpstart your planning, together with:
- Overview of the AT By means of the Smokies
- How Many Days to Plan for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
- Trailhead Parking and Shuttles for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
- The place to Camp on the AT within the Smokies
- AT Water Sources within the Smokies
- Factors of Curiosity Alongside the AT By means of the Smokies
- Different Suggestions About Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
- Greatest Gear for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
- Further Smokies Articles From the Mild Ft Weblog
My hope with this weblog is that you simply, too, can hike the AT by the Smokies and solidify your bonds with family members alongside the best way, meet new faces that develop into part of your lifelong story, or just heal no matter wants healed on the best way.
Overview of the AT By means of the Smokies
The AT runs by Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide park for about 72 miles, largely hugging the Tennessee–North Carolina state line. Mountaineering northbound, the path enters the Smokies at Fontana Dam and exits at Davenport Hole, not removed from Interstate 40. Close to the midpoint of the part, hikers cross Freeway 441—also called Newfound Hole Street—which is the primary scenic thoroughfare by the guts of the park.
Mountaineering the AT by the Smokies is a traditional instance of what I considerably lovingly and considerably disdainfully check with because the “Smoky Mountain Roll.” There are brutal climbs and knee-terrorizing descents, and so they occur in frequent intervals. pair of trekking poles is very really useful.
Cumulatively, the climb from Fontana Dam to Davenport Hole is round 20,000 ft. This can be a good useful resource for seeing the elevation profile of the AT by the Smokies, together with what your day’s hike will seem like between shelters.
No matter which path you enter the park from, you’ll be confronted with a steep climb to begin your trek. In my private opinion, the part from Fontana Dam to Newfound Hole is the more difficult stretch that, at occasions, will make you query your life selections. However after mountain climbing almost the entire trails in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, it’s additionally residence to a few of my most favourite stretches of path. Go determine.
How Many Days to Plan for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
Most individuals plan for 7 to eight days to backpack the complete part of the AT by the Smokies. Nonetheless, you possibly can break up the sections at Newfound Hole and hike both in 3 to five days. You can too use Newfound Hole as a resupply level, as this street has quick access into Gatlinburg on the Tennessee aspect or Cherokee on the North Carolina aspect.
In case you’re questioning what number of days to plan for, I extremely suggest leaning towards extra days than fewer. These Smoky Mountain rolls can actually put on on you and sluggish you down, and further time means a better capability to really benefit from the magnificence round you.
My buddies and I had initially deliberate to hike the complete part in six days. On day three, we determined to modify up our plans and used the complete six days to hike simply the part from Fontana Dam to Newfound Hole as an alternative. It allowed for a way more pleasant journey. The following yr, we returned and went from Davenport Hole to Newfound Hole in 4 days. We loved taking our time and exploring the completely different shelters alongside the best way.
Trailhead Parking and Shuttles for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
In case you’re planning to go away a automobile at both finish of the path, there’s a respectable quantity of parking in a gravel lot on the Fontana Dam aspect. On the Davenport Hole aspect, there’s a small pull-off on the aspect of the street that may match a number of automobiles; in any other case, you possibly can park down on the Huge Creek Campground and hike as much as the trailhead, which is one other mile or two, relying on the place you park. In case you’re solely mountain climbing half of the park at a time, you can even select to go away a automobile at Newfound Hole, which has a big paved parking space in a much less distant space of the park.
I’ve left my automobile at Newfound Hole earlier than with out issues, however I don’t suggest leaving a automobile on the Fontana Dam or Davenport Hole trailheads in a single day until you could. Each trailhead areas have been sizzling spots for catalytic converter thefts over the previous few years, which might be an enormous bummer coming off of an extended hike.
In case you don’t have somebody who can drop you off or choose you up on the trailheads, there are a number of shuttle providers obtainable within the surrounding cities on each the North Carolina and Tennessee sides that may assist.
One service I can personally suggest is A Stroll within the Woods based mostly out of Gatlinburg. I’ve used them earlier than and so they’ve been skilled, well timed, and beautiful individuals. I also can extremely suggest Mike. Mike is splendidly priced, tells nice tales, and even meets you on the finish of the path with chilly drinks. If you need to name Mike to ask about shuttling you, shoot me an electronic mail at korrin@gossamergear.com and I’ll get you his information!
The place to Camp on the AT within the Smokies
Backpackers are required to remain at designated shelters or campsites when in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. You may reserve your spot by making use of for a allow by the park’s on-line system or by calling the backcountry workplace at: 865-436-1297. There’s a nominal payment per individual per evening that helps to assist the park.
Pre-pandemic, backpackers had been required to sleep on the bunks within the shelters alongside the AT slightly than establishing a tent. Nonetheless, the park allowed for tent tenting throughout COVID-19 and, as of this writing (10/19/2022), nonetheless permits for backpackers to tent exterior the shelter if they’ve a legitimate allow. When you’ve got questions, contact the backcountry workplace to verify any modifications.
If tenting exterior the shelter, do your finest to go away no hint. Up to now couple of years, I’ve sadly seen a number of individuals tenting exterior the shelter stomp down vegetation to create new tenting spots. These are closely used areas and want everybody’s assist to guard them.
Beneath is a listing of the obtainable campsites alongside the AT within the Smokies, ranging from Fontana Dam and transferring towards Davenport Hole. Distances between websites fluctuate between round 4 to 10 miles. Apart from Web site 113, all are websites which have a picket bunk shelter.
- Web site 113–Birch Spring Hole
- Mollies Ridge
- Russell Area
- Spence Area
- Derrick Knob
- Silers Bald
- Double Spring Hole
- Mount Collins
- Icewater Spring
- Pecks Nook
- Tricorner Knob
- Cosby Knob
- Davenport Hole
A number of of the shelters have a moldering privy. If there may be one, please use it to assist defend these websites. And for the love of our backcountry rangers who’ve to wash them, please don’t put any rubbish or actually something apart from poop, pee, and bathroom paper in them. Sure, which means no child wipes. Pack that different stuff out.
Not all websites have privies, nonetheless, so be sure to carry alongside a trowel and your GVP Poop Package and comply with correct backcountry pooping etiquette. The websites with out privies will typically have a picket signal that factors within the path of the water supply and the path for the place it is best to poop. For everybody’s sake, please take note of the indicators.
AT Water Sources within the Smokies
All campsites alongside the AT within the Smokies have a reasonably dependable water supply that’s sometimes marked with an indication if it’s not already apparent. In case you’re frightened about water ranges, name the backcountry workplace for the most recent info to make sure the springs are nonetheless working. You can too ask in teams like Mountaineering the Smokies, which have an lively person base the place somebody has seemingly been on the market very just lately.
The A.T. Information: A Handbook for Mountaineering the Appalachian Path by David “Awol” Millers is one other good useful resource for water sources alongside the path. There are a number of in between shelters, although not a ton, so be aware of your provide all through your hike.
All water alongside the path must be boiled for no less than a minute or filtered by one thing like a Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filter.
Factors of Curiosity Alongside the AT By means of the Smokies
I keep in mind being on a hike within the Smokies sooner or later and working into a pair guests from out of city. They stopped me and requested, “Is there going to be a view on this path?”
Particularly in the event you’re mountain climbing in the summertime, plenty of Smoky Mountain mountain climbing is below dense tree canopies. Even while you’re on a ridgeline, you’re not all the time going to have scenic vistas. However the Smokies are additionally probably the most biodiverse unit within the Nationwide Park Service, so it’s price listening to all of the little particulars you’re certain to cross alongside the best way—from crops and fungi to bugs and birds.
Along with all these “hidden” wonders, there are a number of factors of curiosity price savoring alongside the best way, resembling these under.
Shuckstack Fireplace Tower
Roughly 3.5 miles northbound from the trailhead at Fontana Dam, you’ll attain an unmarked spur path in your proper, whereas the AT continues to your left. That spur path results in Shuckstack Fireplace Tower. There’s a superb probability you’ll see that spur path after the climb you simply did, say “screw it,” and carry on mountain climbing to camp. We positively did. It wasn’t till a future backpacking journey that I truly determined to cease there, and I’m so glad I did.
Shuckstack Fireplace Tower—for these prepared to fastidiously courageous the rickety climb up the previous metallic fireplace tower’s stairs—affords a few of the finest views within the park, in my humble opinion. Plus, there’s one thing satisfying about having the ability to look down and see Fontana Lake the place you began out so contemporary and stuffed with vigor, solely to be taunted relentlessly by a couple of 2,400 vertical foot climb from the dam.
Rocky High
A few mile previous the Spence Area shelter heading northbound, you’ll discover Rocky High. It’s not marked by an indication, however you’ll know you’re there. On a transparent day, you possibly can catch views all the best way right down to Fontana Lake. It’s a phenomenal rocky knob price a well-deserved lunch break after the climb it takes to get there. I like to recommend singing “Rocky High” when you’re up there earlier than settling into some good backcountry silence.
Clingmans Dome
Between the Double Spring Hole and Mount Collins shelters, you’ll attain Clingmans Dome. That is the very best level on your entire AT at 6,643 ft, in addition to the very best level in Tennessee. You may take a fast spur path to hike up a concrete commentary tower for what can both be nice view or nothing however fog. In case you haven’t seen many individuals shortly, be ready to, as this can be a widespread vacation spot for day journeys to the park.
Charlies Bunion
One other nice overlook, Charlies Bunion is a couple of mile previous Icewater Spring shelter heading northbound. It may get a little bit busy on weekends with day hikers, however in the event you make buddies with an area, maybe they’ll allow you to in on the key spot. Charlies Bunion is a good place to sit down on the massive rocks for some time and benefit from the view, which may change rapidly and incessantly with the rolling fog.
Mount Cammerer
Between the Cosby Knob and Davenport Hole shelters, you’ll discover a spur path referred to as the Mount Cammerer Path. This can be a 0.6-mile path, so 1.2 miles additional roundtrip. At its finish, you’ll discover a fireplace tower not like others within the park. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp within the late Nineteen Thirties, it was totally restored in 1995.
Thought-about a “western” type fireplace tower, the octagonal construction is enclosed with home windows on all sides and a wraparound porch. The underside is constructed with hand-cut stones. It’s a phenomenal construction that gives great views of the Pigeon River Gorge on clear days and, in our case, much-needed shelter from hurricane rains on not-so-clear days.
Different Suggestions About Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
As you’re making ready your part hike of the AT by the Smokies, there are a number of different issues to contemplate.
Climate
As with all journey, be sure to verify the climate forecast for the times you’ll be out, in addition to the few days earlier than and after, and plan accordingly. Word that checking the climate forecast for the encompassing cities is commonly deceiving, as temperatures might be round 20 levels cooler at Newfound Hole, as an illustration, than down in Gatlinburg.
I’ve had many experiences the place there was chilly rain hammering on me at Clingmans Dome and by the point I get again to city, it’s a sweltering 90 levels. Test climate forecasts for spots like Clingmans Dome, Newfound Hole, and different factors alongside the path for a extra correct image.
Bears
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park has a wholesome black bear inhabitants, and, given a rise in tourism and guests not acquainted with correct bear etiquette, can be susceptible to some downside bears. Be sure that to hold your whole smelly issues at evening. Every campsite within the Smokies has extremely useful bear cables. Throw your stuff in a dry bag, connect it to the cable’s hook, pull, latch to the tree, and also you’re good to go.
I don’t personally hike with bear spray until I’m alone, however I do carry alongside a mini air horn and have certainly used it to maneuver alongside some slightly cussed bears within the Smokies.
Shelter websites are susceptible to sudden closures as a result of bear exercise. Don’t ignore these closures. Plan forward to determine various campsites ought to you find yourself with a closed website in your itinerary. The backcountry workplace will warn you to any closures through the contact info you present in your allow utility.
Take a look at BearWise and the park’s web site for extra bear security ideas.
Maps
The AT by the Smokies is pretty well-marked, however it is best to nonetheless carry a map. The Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park maps by Nationwide Geographic are my go-to. And, if you are going to buy them by the Nice Smoky Mountains Affiliation, your buy additionally helps defend the park for years to come back.
The waterproof Nice Smoky Mountains Path Map can be useful for fast references, however shouldn’t be used for navigation functions.
Greatest Gear for Mountaineering the AT By means of the Smokies
I used my beloved Mariposa 60 backpack to hike the AT by the Smokies, and it carried out like a champ, as all the time. It held all of the meals and equipment I wanted for a number of days and carried the burden nicely. Utilizing a pack liner is essential although, because the Smokies generally is a very moist place.
Since I’m not the most important fan of sleeping within the shelters, I additionally introduced alongside The One tent and set it up with LT5 trekking poles, which additionally served to delay the lifespan of my pricey knees.
Part Hike the AT By means of the Smokies for Scenic, Difficult Marvel
A hike alongside the AT by the Smokies is a grueling, however superb expertise that holds a particular place in my coronary heart. In case you’re making ready on your personal Smokies journey, you would possibly need to try a few of our different Smoky Mountain content material on the Mild Ft weblog, in addition to a number of of our different assets:
And, as all the time, we’d like to see your adventures! Share your subsequent Smoky Mountain jaunt with us by tagging us on social media (@gossamergear) and utilizing the hashtag #takelessdomore.
