30 Mile Loop in GSMNP?

[Ashman]

I'm looking to do a 30 mile loop in GSMNP, suggested routes?

[Lone Wolf]

eagle creek trail from fontana up to spence field then back to fontana on the AT

[Marta]

Day hike, overnighter, or two nights?

I like starting at Big Creek and hiking up Mt. Sterling, down the back side to Cataloochee, then reverse on the other set of trails. A good bit of elevation gain and loss, and an excellent view from Mt. Sterling on a nice day.

You can also loop from the Big Creek Trail up various trails that lead up to the ridge, to Mt. Cammerer, down the west side, and back up and over the following day on another set of trails.

(I'm at my parents' house and don't have my maps handy to get exact trail names.)

The thing I like about going in and out of Big Creek is that it's right off I-40, which cuts quite a lot of time off the driving part of the trip for me.

[Ashman]

looking to do an easy paced 2 nighter

[aaronthebugbuffet]

eagle creek trail from fontana up to spence field then back to fontana on the AT

Nice one.
According to my map thats exactly 30 miles.

[Ramble~On]

looking to do an easy paced 2 nighter

From Clingman's Dome (access road closed in winter)

Take a hike: AT, Welch Ridge, Bear Creek, Forney Creek back to parking at Clingman's. (31 miles)

Sweet hike

[The Solemates]

snake den ridge, miry ridge from big creek

[humunuku]

From Clingman's Dome (access road closed in winter)

Take a hike: AT, Welch Ridge, Bear Creek, Forney Creek back to parking at Clingman's. (31 miles)

Sweet hike

Don't forget to add the side trip to high rocks...super cool place

[mts4602]

Day hike, overnighter, or two nights?

I like starting at Big Creek and hiking up Mt. Sterling, down the back side to Cataloochee, then reverse on the other set of trails. A good bit of elevation gain and loss, and an excellent view from Mt. Sterling on a nice day.

You can also loop from the Big Creek Trail up various trails that lead up to the ridge, to Mt. Cammerer, down the west side, and back up and over the following day on another set of trails.

(I'm at my parents' house and don't have my maps handy to get exact trail names.)

The thing I like about going in and out of Big Creek is that it's right off I-40, which cuts quite a lot of time off the driving part of the trip for me.

whenever you get your maps could you mention specific trails. I was looking at the map but I'm a little confused.

I like Big creek as well b/c of the ease of access from the interstate. plus, mt. sterling is awesome.

[Marta]

whenever you get your maps could you mention specific trails. I was looking at the map but I'm a little confused.

I like Big creek as well b/c of the ease of access from the interstate. plus, mt. sterling is awesome.

1) From Big Creek we usually go:
Big Creek Trail
Swallow Fork Trail
Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
Overnight at campsite #39
Continue on Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
Left on Little Cataloochee Trail
Long Bunk Trail
Mt. Sterling Trail
Baxter Creek Trail back to Big Creek parking lot

We have done this several times as an overnighter. To make it into a two-nighter would be a bit more challenging because of the location of the campsites.

2) Another overnighter we have done is:
Big Creek parking
Chestnut Branch Trail
Side detour up AT to Mt. Cammerer fire tower and back to intersection with Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail
Overnight at campsite #35
Continue on Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail
Low Gap Trail
Cross AT and continue down Low Gap Trail
Left on Big Creek Trail

This would be easier to turn into a two-nighter, if you make reservations for campsite #37. You could do something like go south on the AT from Low Gap to the Camel Gap Trail to campsite #37, then have an easy hike out to the car on your last day.

[mts4602]

Thanks,

I've got lots of new ideas now.

[Joey]

Big Creek to Walnut Bottoms and pick up Gunter Fork Trail to Balsam Mtn. Trail. Stay at Laurel Gap Shelter. Hike Balsam Mtn to Tri-Corner then stay at Tri-Corner or make a long shot to Camel Gap trail and overnight back at Walnut Bottoms. You will have to get an early start from Laurel Gap though if you do the latter hike.

[sliderule]

Big Creek to Walnut Bottoms and pick up Gunter Fork Trail to Balsam Mtn. Trail.

Those creek crossings on the Gunter Fork Trail will be a lot of fun this time of year!!!

[Lone Wolf]

why? it's dry

[Bulldawg]

Looked to me Wednesday that a lot of the Smokys are under snow!!

[Joey]

I imagine after this rain front moving through, Gunter Fork and Eagle Creek will be rather TOUGH to cross!! I'm waiting on the next snowfall then gonna head up to Tri-Corner by some route, just don't know which one I want to take though!!

[Marta]

We just got back from a 50-mile loop out of Twentymile. Stayed at campsite 13 Thursday night, then campsite 17 Friday night, and back to 13 last night.

I hadn't been over to the Abrams Creek area before. It was great! Cades Cove was hopping with people and cars, of course, but we got a great view of the mountains from the open grassy areas there. Unfortunately the rain moved in while we were climbing up towards Gregory Bald, so we never got the view back down towards the Cove.

Gotta love that Smokies weather! Rain, rain, and more rain.

[Joey]

Those creek crossings on the Gunter Fork Trail will be a lot of fun this time of year!!!

probably why I am headed to the Roans next weekend. Better chance for snow and some good cold weather hiking maybe with the crampons on! Dont care to have to use a kayak on stream crossings

[Joey]

why? it's dry

LW after this rain we may have to go get us new bassboat to cross em now!!

[Marta]

I wouldn't worry about the rain causing flooding. It didn't rain all that much. We came down the Long Hungry Ridge Trail yesterday afternoon and were able to rock hop easily across the stream. The seasonal creeks and springs were still dry.