Early Winter overnight Ideas needed near Bryson City

[Buffalo Skipper]

The family is spending some time between Christmas and New Years near Bryson City. SWMBO gave the ok for my son and I to do a noon-to-noon overnight.

Looking for ideas near Bryson City with easy trailhead access. Probably 5 miles out and back or loop prefered. Is Lakeview Drive open year round? Is this an easy access location? I have spent almost no time near Fontana Lake A trek out to campsite 74 or 67 looks interesting.

Suggestions anyone?

[Rasty]

You could also try Parking at the Fontana Dam and Hiking the AT up to campsite 113 then loop down the lost cove trail to the lakeshore trail back to Fontana. Total mileage about 14 miles. Campsite 90 would cut about 2 miles and camp along the lake.

[HooKooDooKu]

I too like the idea of Fontana Dam up to Suckstack tower and camp at #91 or #90 to make a loop rather than up to #113 and back-tracking. However, I'm concerned you might be pushing it to get to a camp site over there if your start time is Noon in Bryson city. The roads to Fontana are mainly 2 lane moutain roads (28). You'll also be pushing a Noon deadline trying to get back to Bryson with the combined time of hiking back to the trail head and re-driving the 2 lane road.

Lakeview Drive IS open year-round (it's not on the closures list: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm). You would have more than enough time plus get to hike through the tunnel at the trail head. However, not very much mileage.

There wouldn't be much to see, but since it sounds like you'll have someone dropping you off, you could make a loop out of camp site #52. Get dropped off at Newton Bald Trail head and get picked up at Mingus Creek. Both are located along the main road (441) and you only have to drive from Bryson to Cherokee. Distances are perfect for what you're asking... but nothing special (like a tower, great views, or a water fall)

[Buffalo Skipper]

Looks like our base cabin may now be in Whittier, rather than Bryson City. I am familiar with the roads from BC to Fontana. Now I guess I am looking at either Bryson City or near Cherokee/Okonaluftee. Any new ideas here?

[daddytwosticks]

Look at some loop hikes around the Deep Creek area - right outside of Bryson City. Get the national geographic map and the Smokies brown book and search away. Last time I glanced at the map there were all sorts of loop possibilities out of Deep Creek.

[Buffalo Skipper]

I am using this map (attched), as well as Topo8, with a gpx file of all the Smoky Mountain trails. My resources are good; I was just looking for ideas from those who may be more familiar with the area than I am.

[wookinpanub]

I would do a dropoff, if possible. Get dropped off at the top of Deep Creek along Newfound Gap Road and walk down to the Deep Creek campground. It's fantastic! Getting dropped off at Clingman's Dome and hiking back via the AT and Fork Ridge Trail to Deep Creek campground is funn, too. Given your time constraints, I would stay in the Deep Creek area in order to maximize hiking time. Don't bother going to Newton Bald..there's nothing there. I took my whole family (wife, 8yr old and 10 yr old daughters) on an overnight backpacking loop starting at the Deep Creek campground. It was up Deep Creek, over Martin's Gap, and down Indian Creek. It is very easy hiking and much is on a wide jeep-type path. We had a ball. Bring a fishing rod if you like.

[kayak karl]

the NOC would be another option. maybe?

[Buffalo Skipper]

the NOC would be another option. maybe?

Thanks Karl, I will be section hiking NOC to Fontana at the end of September. I am reallly looking for an overnight in the park.

[ATL Backpacker]

Entering at Cherokee, you could depart from Smokemont on the Bradley Fork trail in the direction of cs 49, Cabin Flats. It's an easy 5 mile hike. Nice campsite.

[abuesch]

The family is spending some time between Christmas and New Years near Bryson City. SWMBO gave the ok for my son and I to do a noon-to-noon overnight.

Looking for ideas near Bryson City with easy trailhead access. Probably 5 miles out and back or loop prefered. Is Lakeview Drive open year round? Is this an easy access location? I have spent almost no time near Fontana Lake A trek out to campsite 74 or 67 looks interesting.

Suggestions anyone?

From Road to Nowhere Parking Lot

Option 1: Lakeshore (1.9) to Whiteoak Branch (1.8) to Forney Creek (1.3) - Camp at 71 (Total 5). Hike out Forney Creek (2.7) to 74 then Lakeshore out (2.9 - Total 5.6).

From Noland Creek Southern Parking Area (on Lakeview Drive before RTN Parking Lot)

Option 2: Noland Creek to 64 and back (4.1 each way) (Or you could push on to 63....)