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Thread: Unaka Mountain

  1. #1

    Default Unaka Mountain

    I apologize in advance if this has been asked before but I did a search with no adequate results

    Are there campsites on top of Unaka Mountain? Not a problem if there is no water, I will haul it up

  2. #2
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    Default

    yes. plenty of places

  3. #3

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    Great TY! That puts me about half way on my overnighter, perfect
    Last edited by ladytaz; 01-02-2019 at 12:08.

  4. #4

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    Yes plenty of places. No water and very cold up there.

    Its also an extremely rare forest composition on Unaka. Please understand and respect the mountain

  5. #5

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    I always respect nature

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by blue indian View Post
    Yes plenty of places. No water and very cold up there.

    Its also an extremely rare forest composition on Unaka. Please understand and respect the mountain
    Would it take more respect then we should give to the other mountains?

    Comments like these remind me of the guy that is in charge at the county dump.

    Once one arrives atop Unaka mountain..."Ok okayyy I made it here. Step 1! Ohhh I better pull out my extra respect hat, for THIS is Unaka Mountain!"
    "facepalm"

    To answer the OP, yes there is lovely camping up there and water has to be lugged up. I would warn that the Southern side of the mountain is like some sort of course lava type gravel about the size of golf balls. It shredded my dogs pads and ended out hike at indian grave gap. Don't know if you will have a dog but if you are, its a good piece of info to have.
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  7. #7

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    No dog but TY for the info

  8. #8
    Registered User Tennessee Viking's Avatar
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    Default

    Keep away from Iron Mtn Gap and the side road at the gap.

    Cherry Gap (actual) - If I remember there is a bit of a seep and a old logging road before it drops down.
    Cherry Gap Shelter
    Low Gap
    Small saddle before the rock walk section.
    I used to know where the old Trail was where it passed the trailside pipe.
    Unaka summit (waterless) - Wooded summit. Kind of cool and creepy. Don't get lost.
    Deep Gap field (cross forest road to a piped spring and smaller tent site)
    Beauty Spot Gap - Water only (through stile and cross road to trail to spring)
    Beauty Spot - PARTY SPOT during warmer months. Camp at your own risk. Backtrack to BSG or Deep Gap for water.
    Last edited by Tennessee Viking; 01-02-2019 at 18:22.
    ''Tennessee Viking'
    Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
    Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    Would it take more respect then we should give to the other mountains?

    Comments like these remind me of the guy that is in charge at the county dump.

    Once one arrives atop Unaka mountain..."Ok okayyy I made it here. Step 1! Ohhh I better pull out my extra respect hat, for THIS is Unaka Mountain!"
    "facepalm"

    To answer the OP, yes there is lovely camping up there and water has to be lugged up. I would warn that the Southern side of the mountain is like some sort of course lava type gravel about the size of golf balls. It shredded my dogs pads and ended out hike at indian grave gap. Don't know if you will have a dog but if you are, its a good piece of info to have.


    Excuse me....???.....I take offfense to your comment..

    Simply making sure folks understand there is a fragile ecosystem on that mountain and to LNT.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by ladytaz View Post
    I always respect nature


    I wasnt implying that you dont...

    Unaka has one of the last healthy spruce-fir ecosystems left in the entire Appalachian chain. Its considered the 2nd most endangered ecosystem in the US, supporting species of flora and fauna found no where else! Pretty cool huh?
    So yes, I think its important to understand that as someone reading this might remember the next time they are there. Special places require special attention.

    Absolutely beautiful area, one of my favorites in the SE. Have fun!

  11. #11

    Default

    IIRC, the top of Unaka is a little pine forest remisent of Maine. One of the few spots in south like it. That's what makes it kind of a special place. It would be nice if people left it pristine, but of course, that would never happen.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  12. #12

    Default

    Thanks everyone

  13. #13

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    Default

    This is what unaka look like.
    Its a red spruce forest, rare this far south.
    A remnant of the last ice age.

    Not my ideal place to camp. Itll do, but its not a destination site with views, etc.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #14
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    Default Unaka Mountain

    It is a cool place.

    Ironically the top of Unaka was left treeless after a 1925 fire.

    https://tnsos.org/tsla/imagesearch/citation.php?ImageID=17644

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by blue indian View Post
    Excuse me....???.....I take offfense to your comment..

    Simply making sure folks understand there is a fragile ecosystem on that mountain and to LNT.
    My bad BI. I got carried away on my keyboard. A better way of putting it is we should expect people to respect every mountain top as its the last if its kind

  16. #16

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    I did the hike this past Sunday/Monday. I took advantage of the unsually warm January weather. There were others out to, I was surprised to see as many people as I did. Uncle Johnnys shuttled me to Hughes gap on Sunday morning. I got on trail at 7:15. I hiked over Unaka mtn to beauty spot clearing and camped there. Then got up and hiked to beaty spot in the dark Monday morning so I could be there for sunrise. That was about a mile and very easy to follow. Spectacular sunrise. I was at Uncle Johnnys by one that afternoon.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by ladytaz; 01-08-2019 at 16:14.

  17. #17

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    Well done!
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  18. #18
    Registered User Hikes in Rain's Avatar
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    Default

    Wow, great shots! I can only imagine how it was have been like to be there!

  19. #19
    Registered User John B's Avatar
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    Of the 760 miles of the AT that I've hiked, I have the strongest memories of Unaka. Everything about it was beautiful. I hiked through it slowly but didn't stop because I mistakenly thought there would be more like it.
    I hope you enjoy every step. It's an incredible place.

  20. #20
    Registered User gbolt's Avatar
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    Default

    Is this the mountain with a decorated pine tree to the left of the trail or was that farther north?
    "gbolt" on the Trail

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    We are here to help one another along life's journey. Keep the Faith!

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