View Full Version : Mt Sterling/ Mt Cammerer in March
MountainMatt23
02-10-2009, 00:25
Going on a 5 night/ 6 day loop that hits both these mountain tops, the march 7-12. Was in the smokies around the same time last year and it was quite cold to say the least, hoping for some better weather, but preparing for worse! Being that a good deal of this hike is at high elevation for the smokies (above 4500) I'm thinking wintry conditions are a legitimate concern. Just wondering if any one has hiked aroung the big creek area, and also how mt. sterling/ mt. cammerer are? Thanks
sliderule
02-10-2009, 00:48
The temperatures for Mt Sterling should be similar to those on Mt. LeConte. Newfound Gap should be similar to those on the AT near Mt Cammerer. Note that it was -22F on LeConte of Feb 4th!!!
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=MRXRTPMRX&versions=8
going to mt sterling from big creek you will find to be a very healthy up. i think the gain is 4000 feet almost in the 6.2 miles to get the the top. i did this in the summer of 08, so i can't speak for current conditiions. good luck
Chaco Taco
02-10-2009, 09:38
Great section. Cammerer is awesome
Ashepabst
02-10-2009, 18:36
both are among the best spots in the park. the campsite atop Sterling is one of my favorites. there are some hidden spots back in the woods on the south side of the peak behind the thingy-where-you-tie-your-horse. IMO Mt. Cammerer has some of the best views in the park.
vibedog's on the mark here... the Baxter Creek route up Sterling is way steep. 4000 feet in 6 miles is one of the steepest stretches in the park that i know of. it's a beautiful trail.
also, i just did the route up to Cammerer from Big Creek. this stretch gains 3300 feet in just 5 miles.
here's a link to NOAA's 7day forecast for Cocke County Smokies:http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ041 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ041)
humunuku
02-10-2009, 18:48
its a long climb, but the steepness isn't a huge issue...there are much harder climbs out there
I've been to Mt. Sterling twice around this time. I would prepare for temps like last time you said you were in the smokies around March. I would say it's guaranteed to be below freezing at night and that the lows in the teens are possible as well. But you never know, you could get lucky. March is a weird month.
I'm actually doing probably the same trip as you starting around the 13th of March with a group of friends that have not really been backpacking before. Where you are planning Starting / camping at each night?
Matt