View Full Version : Where to go for short 2 day trip with high elevation, scenic views?
We'll be driving over to Atlanta next weekend to visit some family and will do a bit of hiking and sightseeing in the Appalachians. Is it worth it to make a reservation in GSMNP for 1-2 nights? Or should we try backpacking outside the park? I'm looking to do a short solo trip while the wife and daughter stays in a nearby cabin/hotel. I'm looking to do around 15-20 miles with high elevation, scenic ridgetop views. Any suggestions? This is my first time backpacking the Appalachians. All of my backpacking has been in the western US, mostly in the Colorado Rockies.
I just figured out how to navigate the online permit system for GSMNP. Any particular loops/trails you recommend, and any particular sites with great views?
I forgot to mention that I'll be going around March 18-20. I also forgot to ask what the weather will be like around that time.
bigcranky
03-07-2015, 18:44
How far do you want to hike? I'd avoid the Smokies, as you need reservations and the shelters will be crowded with thru-hikers and spring breakers. The Standing Indian loop is nearby - ~24 mile loop with some good climbs and views. It's a nice introduction to the Southern Appalachians, and makes a good 1 or 2 night hike. That section will also have a lot of hikers, but there are more places to camp. If the weather is good there are some terrific views.
It can be pretty cold in March. I would prepare for lows in the 20s and highs in the 50s, though it could be warmer or colder than that.
gollwoods
03-08-2015, 02:48
Twenty mile creek up to shuckstack up the AT to the Gregory bald trail and over to site 13 then over parsons bald and down to the start you could add a night along rabbit creek trail to Abrams campground if you will be able to get picked up in a different spot.
I would second gollwoods recommendation. Gregory Bald and Shuckstack are among the best views the park has to offer.
Boulevard Trail out to Me. LeConte is also fantastic, but it is hard to make that into a loop.
On the other side of the park, you might be able to work up a loop that includes Mt. Cammerer and Mt. Sterling.
HooKooDooKu
03-09-2015, 00:15
On the other side of the park, you might be able to work up a loop that includes Mt. Cammerer and Mt. Sterling.
That was the 1st thing I thought of... making a loop that includes both these fire towers.
But regardless of what loop you do (as the one including Gregory Bald is good too), it's still winter in GSMNP. Most of the trees will still be bare and the scenery not very colorful. For an example, check out the GSMNP Web Cams.
Purchase Knob Web Cam (http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmpkcam/grsmpkcam.cfm)
Here's the view yesterday. I believe this web cam is at an elevation around 4,000 feet.
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It needs another month or so before the views get good.
full conditions
03-09-2015, 07:10
The loop out of 20 mile ranger station up wolf ridge and down long hungry ridge trail (or vice versa) over Gregary and Parson Balds makes a great weekend hike and there's a campsite near the summit of Gregory Bald (popular though). May and June are ideal - that when the thoussands of azaleas are in bloom up there.
Another thought on the Gregory Bald loop. There is a free public shower at the Fontana Dam visitors center. Great place to get cleaned up after a hike before getting on the road back home.
illabelle
03-09-2015, 09:53
Boulevard Trail out to Me. LeConte is also fantastic, but it is hard to make that into a loop.
A person can get dropped off at Newfound Gap, hike north on the AT to the Boulevard Trail (or go further to Charlie's Bunyan, then return to the Boulevard), hike on the Boulevard to Mt LeConte, and down the Alum Cave Bluff Trail, to be picked up. 13 miles without the Bunyan.
That was the 1st thing I thought of... making a loop that includes both these fire towers.
But regardless of what loop you do (as the one including Gregory Bald is good too), it's still winter in GSMNP. Most of the trees will still be bare and the scenery not very colorful. For an example, check out the GSMNP Web Cams.
Purchase Knob Web Cam (http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmpkcam/grsmpkcam.cfm)
Here's the view yesterday. I believe this web cam is at an elevation around 4,000 feet.
30191
It needs another month or so before the views get good.
What's the best way to check weather up there? Is Gatlinburg accurate, or too low in elevation? Trying to get an idea of temps next week (March 18-19) to know what insulation to bring.
I'm also considering driving up to the Roan Highlands area. Not sure if it is worth it? I really am not set on hiking in GSMNP but I would like to hike somewhere near/on the AT between Georgia and Tenneessee/N. Carolina.
HooKooDooKu
03-11-2015, 10:19
What's the best way to check weather up there? Is Gatlinburg accurate, or too low in elevation? Trying to get an idea of temps next week (March 18-19) to know what insulation to bring.
A crude estimate is to check weather forecasts for Gatlinburg, and allow for temperatures to be as much as 20º colder at the highest elevations (Clingman's Dome / LeConte).
To get something more accurate to a given elevation, I use Mountain Forecast (http://www.mountain-forecast.com/). But you're not going to get a 10 day forecast there.
A note about mountain forecast... they don't know their geography very well. To find mountains within GSMNP, you have to look in both the sub-range "Great Smokey Mountains" and "Blue Ridge Mountains".
Ashepabst
03-13-2015, 18:15
What's the best way to check weather up there? Is Gatlinburg accurate, or too low in elevation? Trying to get an idea of temps next week (March 18-19) to know what insulation to bring.
I'm also considering driving up to the Roan Highlands area. Not sure if it is worth it? I really am not set on hiking in GSMNP but I would like to hike somewhere near/on the AT between Georgia and Tenneessee/N. Carolina.
daily readings here: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/validProds.php?prod=rtp&node=kmrx
Sevier Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ074 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ074)
Blount Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ072 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ072)
Cocke Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ041 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ041)
greentick
03-18-2015, 19:47
A crude estimate is to check weather forecasts for Gatlinburg, and allow for temperatures to be as much as 20º colder at the highest elevations (Clingman's Dome / LeConte).
To get something more accurate to a given elevation, I use Mountain Forecast (http://www.mountain-forecast.com/). But you're not going to get a 10 day forecast there.
A note about mountain forecast... they don't know their geography very well. To find mountains within GSMNP, you have to look in both the sub-range "Great Smokey Mountains" and "Blue Ridge Mountains".
Thanks for the link HooKoo. I've always found a local forecast and subtracted 3-4degF for every 1000' elevation gain to get a ballpark. This will be a good cross-check.
HooKooDooKu
03-19-2015, 08:49
I've always found a local forecast and subtracted 3-4degF for every 1000' elevation gain to get a ballpark.
Globally, I think the generic rule is supposed to be 0.5ºF for every 100 elevation gain (i.e. 5ºF for every 1,000').
The 20º estimate accounts for about a 4,000' elevation difference between Gatlinburg and the highest elevations.
However, anecdotally, when I've compared reported temperature, say between Cades Cove and Mt. LeConte, they seldom are a full 20ºF apart.
Another good two day option would be to park at Big Creek campground on the eastern edge of the GSMNP and loop up to Mt. Sterling via Big Creek Trail->Swallow Fork Trail->Sterling Ridge Trail->Baxter Creek Trail. The total is around 16 miles. You can actually camp at the summit of Mt. Sterling (though that would make the first day around 10 miles and involve quite a bit of elevation gain). It's a spectacular campsite with a fire tower offering an overlook of much of the region.
HooKooDooKu
03-19-2015, 16:33
Another good two day option would be to park at Big Creek campground on the eastern edge of the GSMNP and loop up to Mt. Sterling via Big Creek Trail->Swallow Fork Trail->Sterling Ridge Trail->Baxter Creek Trail. The total is around 16 miles. You can actually camp at the summit of Mt. Sterling (though that would make the first day around 10 miles and involve quite a bit of elevation gain). It's a spectacular campsite with a fire tower offering an overlook of much of the region.
This is an easy two night loop if you spend the 1st night at CS37 and the 2nd night at CS38.
An alternate path that would allow you to see two fire towers would be to park at the Big Creek ranger station and hike Chestnut Branch, AT, Mount Cammerer, AT, Low Gap (spend the night at CS37), Swallow Fork, Mount Sterling Ridge (spend the night at CS38), and Baxter Creek. It's about a 1/2 mile road walk between Baxter Creek and Chestnut Branch.
That second loop option works out to what - ~23 miles? Sounds like a good one. I'd love to try that next winter.
HooKooDooKu
03-20-2015, 11:32
That second loop option works out to what - ~23 miles? Sounds like a good one. I'd love to try that next winter.
Here's a screen shot of my GSMNP Google Earth data.
The number blocks are mileage indicators. The ones in yellow hi-lite the second loop option.
Daily breakdown 11.3/6/6.8 = 24.1 total miles.
If you stay as Cosby Shelter the 1st night, daily breakdown is 9.5/9.4/6.8 = 25.7 total miles.
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Based on a counter-clockwise hike, the water source for Mt. Sterling is 1/3 of a mile PAST the campsite (and all down hill). Your last chance at clean water on the way up is a minor water crossing about 3 miles up Swallow Fork Trail.
Not bad. Might not work for the OP as he wants a 2 day trip, but could be perfect for my next winter trip. I've never actually needed a water source on Sterling because there was always a good foot or so of snow base. Looking forward to getting a different perspective on it this summer.