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whitefoot_hp
07-22-2008, 12:59
a friend and i are considering a hike in the smokies during the blazing month of august. does anyone have any suggestions/reccommendations for trails in the park that have plenty of water and access to high elevation?

Cuffs
07-22-2008, 13:06
The Benton MacKaye (which is composed of other named trails in the park) is an excellent choice. Many campsites are creek side!

Mocs123
07-22-2008, 14:33
How long of a trip are you looking for? Also are you looking for a loop, or do you mind a shuttle? If I were going to the GSMNP in August (I am actually) I would definitely stick to the upper elevations, most of which are along the AT. You might also check out the Boulevard Trail to Mt. LeConte and the Baslm Mountain Trail both of which are above 5000 feet. The North (AT terms) or East (geographical terms) half of the park seems to have better high elevation water than the west (south) side.

SGT Rock
07-22-2008, 14:35
If you want 2-3 days the BMT from Smokemont to Big Creek - when you are low and in the heat you are on Enlo Creek, and you get up near 6,000' at Mt Sterling. Last summer, during a drought, LoneWolf and I did the north half of the AT where it was cool and though there was some water issues - it wasn't a show stopper.

susan_hannan
07-23-2008, 13:22
any of the connector trails to the AT are a good bet. Goshen Prong, Miry Ridge, Forney Creek, Forney Ridge. Just came back from five days in the GSMNP and the weather at altitude 5000-6000 ft is fantastic and the water supplies are reliable. Lows at night were 42-50 and daytime highs were never above 80. Be aware of the bear situation: saw four in one day.

Yahtzee
07-23-2008, 13:53
Hazel Creek Trail. Incredible!

Ashepabst
07-23-2008, 14:28
if you can do a shuttle (it's an easy shuttle that you could hitch if you're up for it) you should consider heading out on the AT from newfound gap to the boulevard trail to leconte and back out the alum cave trail (or one of the others).

this is one of the best hikes in the park. there's def water (treated water!) up on leconte. there's a spring at icewater ... right now it's not on the "water problems (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm)" list. except for the lower half of alum cave, it's all 5000+ elev.

downside: the alum cave trail gets pretty crowded with tourists, especially this time of year.

whitefoot_hp
07-23-2008, 16:55
we are only bringing one car, so we are looking for a loop of any sort or a hike that leaves a reasonable hitch hike.

thanks for all responses so far.

ed bell
07-23-2008, 17:04
we are only bringing one car, so we are looking for a loop of any sort or a hike that leaves a reasonable hitch hike.

thanks for all responses so far.Several nights out whitefoot or just a weekend deal?

whitefoot_hp
07-23-2008, 17:05
my bad. 4-6 days, say in the ball park of 12 mile days

Yahtzee
07-23-2008, 17:06
If you are out for a few days you could take the Lakeshore Trail where the AT enters the woods. Follow that for a good bit and hit the Hazel Creek Trail. That takes you about 5 or 6 miles from Clingman's Dome. You could then walk the AT south back to where you started. Probably a 5-6 day hike, tho.

whitefoot_hp
07-23-2008, 17:09
any body know the most reasonable (cost) way to find a map or good description of the many trails of the smokies?

Egads
07-23-2008, 17:37
Free for downloading on the Park website

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/Trail%20map%2008.pdf

Mocs123
07-23-2008, 20:51
What about a loop starting and ending near Greenbrier Road.

Take Old Settlers Trail to Matterhorn Bald Trail (Be sure to take to side trail to Albright Grove) to a small Section of the Snake Den Ridge Trail and then to the AT. Take the AT Southbound to the Boulevard Trail to LeConte and then take the Trillium Gap trail to the Brushy Mountain Trail which will take you back to your car at Greenbrier Cove. It should give you a total mileage of 55 ish.



As far as maps go, I like the National Geographic one and if you dont have it already, the little brown book is worth its weight in gold.

greentick
07-23-2008, 20:58
The Natl Geo map is beautiful to behold if you are used to regular topos or military maps. The newer one has UTM grid on it.

whitefoot_hp
07-23-2008, 21:21
where can you find the natl geo map, other than the internet?

See Bee
07-24-2008, 06:01
any body know the most reasonable (cost) way to find a map or good description of the many trails of the smokies?

For a fascinating look at the GSMNP trails and campsites, do this:

1. Download Google Earth (free version) http://earth.google.com/
2. Download these 2 kmz files for Google Earth: http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/gsmnp/camp.kmz
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/gsmnp/trails.kmz

I love flying in Google Earth over these.

Also, check out http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/gsmnp/ for all kinds of links to GSMNP information.

This dunigan guy has good info for Google Earth and the AT as well.
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/at/

Flush2wice
07-24-2008, 08:51
I would base camp out of Big Creek campground and then you have lots of options for loops. I'd consider a BMT/AT loop. Look at a map and you can pick one out from a handful of options depending on your mileage.