GSMNP Snow

[Rasty]

Any thoughts about the chance of good snow (12"+) in the GSMNP in late January. Or would it be better to wait until Early February? I'm comfortable with my skills even though they are rusty with Winter/Snow Hiking.

[Hill Ape]

i don't understand your question. in this context, what does better mean? do you want to hike in snow, or are you hoping to avoid snow? your post can be interpreted either way.

[Rasty]

Your correct on that. I want snow.

[Hill Ape]

is it going to rain in december? how much? one can't know these things no one predicted hurricane sandy more than a month out. you're asking an impossible question. my magic 8 ball, tea leaves, and chicken bones all say wait until you see a forecast for snow if thats what you want.

[10-K]

Rasty, there's no real way to answer that question... If you want snow, try to be flexible and head out when it snows.

[HikerMom58]

Rasty... this is ur "mom" talking... be careful with winter hiking. I'm pretty sure you have a good way to stay current with weather forecasts etc.., while on the trail. Winter storms can come up out of no where especially in the Smokies, that time of year. I really wonder what kind of winter we will have this year. The prediction is for a very snowy one. We'll see!! If mother nature works for you, this year, you could be hiking in a winter wonderland minus the wicked winter weather that she can sometimes throw at us. Good luck with your plans!

[RED-DOG]

Their is a great chance of snow in the GSMNP of 12 inches or more between January and April also i have seen snow as late as May, Personally i prefer to hike through the snow. RED-DOG

[10-K]

Also remember it's a lot more fun the hike in the snow at home in your warm house.

[Rasty]

Also remember it's a lot more fun the hike in the snow at home in your warm house.

I really like hiking in cold weather. I'm almost done gearing up for winter hiking including lots of high quality down, microspikes, gaiters, good winter gloves, balaclava, an EVO pad to suppliment an air pad and a pair of Merrell winter hiking boots.

The plan is to start at Fontana and go north for a week. I'll adjust my Official plan depending on the conditions. I am flexible for a start date except for a trip to Arizona in mid January and Valentines day which is a mandatory work day. I just have to clear it with the bosses (Work & Home).

I haven't been snow camping in a long time.

[Rasty]

Rasty... this is ur "mom" talking... be careful with winter hiking. I'm pretty sure you have a good way to stay current with weather forecasts etc.., while on the trail. Winter storms can come up out of no where especially in the Smokies, that time of year. I really wonder what kind of winter we will have this year. The prediction is for a very snowy one. We'll see!! If mother nature works for you, this year, you could be hiking in a winter wonderland minus the wicked winter weather that she can sometimes throw at us. Good luck with your plans!

You had kids young!

[Rasty]

is it going to rain in december? how much? one can't know these things no one predicted hurricane sandy more than a month out. you're asking an impossible question. my magic 8 ball, tea leaves, and chicken bones all say wait until you see a forecast for snow if thats what you want.

The chicken bones are supposed to be very accurate. You must not be shaking them correctly!

[Gray Blazer]

Also remember it's a lot more fun the hike in the snow at home in your warm house.

Yeah, but you live practically on the AT in that there Erwin.

[Tipi Walter]

Rasty, there's no real way to answer that question... If you want snow, try to be flexible and head out when it snows.

This is true. Listen to the Knoxville weather wee'tards and when they call for snow in the mountains you'll know it's time to hit the trail.

I really like hiking in cold weather. I'm almost done gearing up for winter hiking including lots of high quality down, microspikes, gaiters, good winter gloves, balaclava, an EVO pad to suppliment an air pad and a pair of Merrell winter hiking boots.

The plan is to start at Fontana and go north for a week. I'll adjust my Official plan depending on the conditions. I am flexible for a start date except for a trip to Arizona in mid January and Valentines day which is a mandatory work day. I just have to clear it with the bosses (Work & Home).

I haven't been snow camping in a long time.

You may have all the necessary gear, heck we all do, but what will you do when the ridge you're hiking on has 2 feet of snow with 3+ foot drifts? And then you encounter a section of trail blocked by snow-heavy rhododendron all leaning over onto the trail? Can you belly crawl with a heavy pack in the snow for a mile? Can you sit put for 7 days and wait for the trail to open without bailing?

[Slo-go'en]

And then you encounter a section of trail blocked by snow-heavy rhododendron all leaning over onto the trail?

Yep, that's the problem with the snow down south - it tends to be wet, heavy and sticks to everything. Great for making snow people and for snowball fights, not so good to hike through.

[Rasty]

This is true. Listen to the Knoxville weather wee'tards and when they call for snow in the mountains you'll know it's time to hit the trail.



You may have all the necessary gear, heck we all do, but what will you do when the ridge you're hiking on has 2 feet of snow with 3+ foot drifts? And then you encounter a section of trail blocked by snow-heavy rhododendron all leaning over onto the trail? Can you belly crawl with a heavy pack in the snow for a mile? Can you sit put for 7 days and wait for the trail to open without bailing?

I don't have to be anywhere fast. I'm 100% committed to being flexible. I'm planning for 7 days but would be prepared for an extra 4 with food, fuel and reading material. I really don't care if I only hike 8 miles or so. It should be fun either way.

[ParkRat09]

I've been hiking the SMokies for 8 years and I can tell you that to 'predict' snow would be an excercise in futility. I was on an overnight last November that was supposed to be sunny and 40 both days but turned into single digits and 6 inches of snow! However, you can be pretty sure that there will be lots of snow in January especially up near Clingman's Dome and Newfound Gap. The Smokies will be a very difficult section when it's snowing and there is basically ONE place to bail if things get sketchy (Newfound Gap). So be careful!!!

[Rasty]

I've been hiking the SMokies for 8 years and I can tell you that to 'predict' snow would be an excercise in futility. I was on an overnight last November that was supposed to be sunny and 40 both days but turned into single digits and 6 inches of snow! However, you can be pretty sure that there will be lots of snow in January especially up near Clingman's Dome and Newfound Gap. The Smokies will be a very difficult section when it's snowing and there is basically ONE place to bail if things get sketchy (Newfound Gap). So be careful!!!

I will. I'm just going to keep my plans open and make a decision at the last minute on when to go.

[Tipi Walter]

I've been hiking the SMokies for 8 years and I can tell you that to 'predict' snow would be an excercise in futility. I was on an overnight last November that was supposed to be sunny and 40 both days but turned into single digits and 6 inches of snow! However, you can be pretty sure that there will be lots of snow in January especially up near Clingman's Dome and Newfound Gap. The Smokies will be a very difficult section when it's snowing and there is basically ONE place to bail if things get sketchy (Newfound Gap). So be careful!!!

Or with a decent map a backpacker could get off the high ground and lose 3,000 feet on a side trail and find appreciably less snow in the valleys. It's something I had to do a couple years when a high ridge left me wiped out after taking 3 hours to go 1.5 miles and I fell off the mountain on the closest side trail I could find.

[Rasty]

Or with a decent map a backpacker could get off the high ground and lose 3,000 feet on a side trail and find appreciably less snow in the valleys. It's something I had to do a couple years when a high ridge left me wiped out after taking 3 hours to go 1.5 miles and I fell off the mountain on the closest side trail I could find.

Agree. You can drop down to the lakeshore trail and worse case scenario get a boat shuttle from the marina. I really twisted my knee two years ago and did just that. Best $50 I ever spent. I was hobbling at about a 1/4 mile per hour 20 miles from Fontana.

[HikerMom58]

I'm not quite old enough to be your mom... darn! *dancing banana*