The Appalachian Trail runs for over 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine. While there are a number of <\/span>part hikes to decide on<\/span><\/a> from for these not seeking to thru-hike it, the stretch by means of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a bucket listing merchandise for a lot of.<\/span><\/p>\n I used to be fortunate sufficient to hike this unbelievable stretch of path with two of my dearest buddies as a part of what has turn out to be a convention of selecting to endure bodily struggling for my birthday. Before the hike, my two buddies hadn\u2019t met one another, however I knew the pairing could be excellent. And, on a path as unforgiving because the AT by means of the Smokies could be, having an abundance of confidence in and love in your companions ranks as excessive as well-fitting climbing sneakers, for my part.<\/span><\/p>\n By the time the three of us completed the AT by means of the Smokies, I can solely say that I cherished these two ladies greater than ever and I’ll cherish these miles collectively for the remainder of my life. Even although some have been actually dang exhausting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re seeking to hike the AT by means of the Smokies, under, you\u2019ll discover a complete information to jumpstart your planning, together with:<\/span><\/p>\n My hope with this weblog is that you simply, too, can hike the AT by means of the Smokies and solidify your bonds with family members alongside the way in which, meet new faces that turn out to be part of your lifelong story, or just heal no matter wants healed on the way in which.<\/span><\/p>\n The AT runs by means of Great Smoky Mountains National park for about 72 miles, largely hugging the Tennessee\u2013North Carolina state line. Hiking northbound, the path enters the Smokies at Fontana Dam and exits at Davenport Gap, not removed from Interstate 40. Near the midpoint of the part, hikers cross Highway 441\u2014also referred to as Newfound Gap Road\u2014which is the principle scenic thoroughfare by means of the guts of the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hiking the AT by means of the Smokies is a traditional instance of what I considerably lovingly and considerably disdainfully check with because the \u201cSmoky Mountain Roll.\u201d There are brutal climbs and knee-terrorizing descents, and so they occur in frequent intervals. <\/span>pair of trekking poles<\/span><\/a> is very really helpful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cumulatively, the climb from Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap is round 20,000 ft. <\/span>This is an efficient useful resource<\/span><\/a> for seeing the elevation profile of the AT by means of the Smokies, together with what your day\u2019s hike will appear like between shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of which route you enter the park from, you\u2019ll be confronted with a steep climb to start out your trek. In my private opinion, the part from Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap is the more difficult stretch that, at occasions, will make you query your life selections. But after climbing practically the entire trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it\u2019s additionally dwelling to a few of my most favourite stretches of path. Go determine.<\/span><\/p>\n Most individuals plan for 7 to eight days to backpack the complete part of the AT by means of the Smokies. However, you’ll be able to break up the sections at Newfound Gap and hike both in 3 to five days. You can even use Newfound Gap as a resupply level, as this street has quick access into Gatlinburg on the Tennessee aspect or Cherokee on the North Carolina aspect.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re questioning what number of days to plan for, I extremely suggest leaning towards extra days than fewer. Those Smoky Mountain rolls can actually put on on you and sluggish you down, and additional time means a better skill to really benefit from the magnificence round you.<\/span><\/p>\n My buddies and I had initially deliberate to hike the complete part in six days. On day three, we determined to modify up our plans and used the complete six days to hike simply the part from Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap as an alternative. It allowed for a way more fulfilling journey. The subsequent yr, we returned and went from Davenport Gap to Newfound Gap in 4 days. We loved taking our time and exploring the completely different shelters alongside the way in which.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to depart a automobile at both finish of the path, there’s a first rate quantity of parking in a gravel lot on the Fontana Dam aspect. On the Davenport Gap aspect, there\u2019s a small pull-off on the aspect of the street that may match just a few automobiles; in any other case, you’ll be able to park down on the Big Creek Campground and hike as much as the trailhead, which is one other mile or two, relying on the place you park. If you\u2019re solely climbing half of the park at a time, you may also select to depart a automobile at Newfound Gap, which has a big paved parking space in a much less distant space of the park.<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ve left my automobile at Newfound Gap earlier than with out issues, however I don\u2019t suggest leaving a automobile on the Fontana Dam or Davenport Gap trailheads in a single day until you will need to. Both trailhead areas have been sizzling spots for catalytic converter thefts over the previous few years, which might be an enormous bummer coming off of a protracted hike.<\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have somebody who can drop you off or decide you up on the trailheads, there are a number of shuttle companies obtainable within the surrounding cities on each the North Carolina and Tennessee sides that may assist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One service I can personally suggest is <\/span>A Walk within the Woods<\/span><\/a> primarily based out of Gatlinburg. I\u2019ve used them earlier than and so they\u2019ve been skilled, well timed, and wonderful individuals. I can even extremely suggest Mike. Mike is splendidly priced, tells nice tales, and even meets you on the finish of the path with chilly drinks. If you wish to name Mike to ask about shuttling you, shoot me an electronic mail at <\/span>korrin@gossamergear.com<\/span><\/a> and I\u2019ll get you his information!<\/span><\/p>\n Backpackers are required to remain at designated shelters or campsites when in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can reserve your spot by making use of for a allow by means of the <\/span>park\u2019s on-line system<\/span><\/a> or by calling the backcountry workplace at: 865-436-1297. There is a nominal price per particular person per evening that helps to help the park.<\/span><\/p>\n Pre-pandemic, backpackers have been required to sleep on the bunks within the shelters alongside the AT relatively than organising a tent. However, the park allowed for tent tenting throughout COVID-19 and, as of this writing (10\/19\/2022), nonetheless permits for backpackers to tent exterior the shelter if they’ve a legitimate allow. If you have got questions, contact the backcountry workplace to verify any modifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If tenting exterior the shelter, do your finest to depart no hint. In the previous couple of years, I\u2019ve sadly seen a number of individuals tenting exterior the shelter stomp down vegetation to create new tenting spots. These are closely used areas and wish everybody\u2019s assist to guard them.<\/span><\/p>\n Below is a listing of the obtainable campsites alongside the AT within the Smokies, ranging from Fontana Dam and shifting towards Davenport Gap. Distances between websites differ between round 4 to 10 miles. With the exception of Site 113, all are websites which have a picket bunk shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n Several of the shelters have a moldering privy. If there’s one, please use it to assist defend these websites. And for the love of our backcountry rangers who’ve to wash them, please don\u2019t put any rubbish or actually something aside from poop, pee, and bathroom paper in them. Yes, which means no child wipes. Pack that different stuff out.<\/span><\/p>\n Not all websites have privies, nevertheless, so be sure that to convey alongside a <\/span>trowel<\/span><\/a> and your <\/span>GVP Poop Kit<\/span><\/a> and observe correct backcountry pooping etiquette. The websites with out privies will usually have a picket signal that factors within the route of the water supply and the route for the place it is best to poop. For everybody\u2019s sake, please take note of the indicators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All campsites alongside the AT within the Smokies have a fairly dependable water supply that’s usually marked with an indication if it\u2019s not already apparent. If you\u2019re fearful about water ranges, name the backcountry workplace for the newest data to make sure the springs are nonetheless operating. You can even ask in teams like <\/span>Hiking the Smokies<\/span><\/a>, which have an lively consumer base the place somebody has doubtless been on the market very not too long ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The A.T. Guide: A Handbook for Hiking the Appalachian Trail<\/span><\/a> by David \u201cAwol\u201d Millers is one other good useful resource for water sources alongside the path. There are just a few in between shelters, although not a ton, so be conscious of your provide all through your hike.<\/span><\/p>\n All water alongside the path needs to be boiled for no less than a minute or filtered by means of one thing like a <\/span>Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filter<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n I keep in mind being on a hike within the Smokies someday and operating into a pair guests from out of city. They stopped me and requested, \u201cIs there going to be a view on this trail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Especially if you happen to\u2019re climbing in the summertime, plenty of Smoky Mountain climbing is below dense tree canopies. Even once you\u2019re on a ridgeline, you\u2019re not at all times going to have scenic vistas. But the Smokies are additionally essentially the most biodiverse unit within the National Park Service, so it\u2019s value listening to all of the little particulars you\u2019re certain to go alongside the way in which\u2014from vegetation and fungi to bugs and birds.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to all these \u201chidden\u201d wonders, there are a number of factors of curiosity value savoring alongside the way in which, equivalent to these under.<\/span><\/p>\n Roughly 3.5 miles northbound from the trailhead at Fontana Dam, you\u2019ll attain an unmarked spur path in your proper, whereas the AT continues to your left. That spur path results in Shuckstack Fire Tower. There\u2019s probability you\u2019ll see that spur path after the climb you simply did, say \u201cscrew it,\u201d and carry on climbing to camp. We positively did. It wasn\u2019t till a future backpacking journey that I truly determined to cease there, and I\u2019m so glad I did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Shuckstack Fire Tower\u2014for these prepared to rigorously courageous the rickety climb up the previous steel hearth tower\u2019s stairs\u2014affords a number of the finest views within the park, in my humble opinion. Plus, there\u2019s one thing satisfying about having the ability to look down and see Fontana Lake the place you began out so recent and stuffed with vigor, solely to be taunted relentlessly by a couple of 2,400 vertical foot climb from the dam.<\/span><\/p>\n About a mile previous the Spence Field shelter heading northbound, you\u2019ll discover Rocky Top. It\u2019s not marked by an indication, however you\u2019ll know you\u2019re there. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to catch views all the way in which right down to Fontana Lake. It\u2019s a fantastic rocky knob value a well-deserved lunch break after the climb it takes to get there. I like to recommend singing \u201c<\/span>Rocky Top<\/span><\/a>\u201d when you\u2019re up there earlier than settling into some good backcountry silence.<\/span><\/p>\n Between the Double Spring Gap and Mount Collins shelters, you\u2019ll attain Clingmans Dome. This is the best level on the complete AT at 6,643 ft, in addition to the best level in Tennessee. You can take a fast spur path to hike up a concrete remark tower for what can both be nice view or nothing however fog. If you haven\u2019t seen many individuals shortly, be ready to, as it is a standard vacation spot for day journeys to the park.<\/span><\/p>\n Another nice overlook, Charlies Bunion is a couple of mile previous Icewater Spring shelter heading northbound. It can get slightly busy on weekends with day hikers, however if you happen to make buddies with an area, maybe they\u2019ll allow you to in on the key spot. Charlies Bunion is a good place to sit down on the large rocks for some time and benefit from the view, which may change shortly and incessantly with the rolling fog.<\/span><\/p>\n Between the Cosby Knob and Davenport Gap shelters, you\u2019ll discover a spur path referred to as the Mount Cammerer Trail. This is a 0.6-mile path, so 1.2 miles further roundtrip. At its finish, you\u2019ll discover a hearth tower in contrast to others within the park. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corp within the late Nineteen Thirties, it was totally restored in 1995.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Considered a \u201cwestern\u201d model hearth tower, the octagonal construction is enclosed with home windows on all sides and a wraparound porch. The backside is constructed with hand-cut stones. It\u2019s a fantastic construction that gives fantastic views of the Pigeon River Gorge on clear days and, in our case, much-needed shelter from hurricane rains on not-so-clear days.<\/span><\/p>\n As you\u2019re making ready your part hike of the AT by means of the Smokies, there are just a few different issues to contemplate.<\/span><\/p>\n As with any journey, be sure that to <\/span>examine the climate forecast<\/span><\/a> for the times you\u2019ll be out, in addition to the few days earlier than and after, and plan accordingly. Note that checking the climate forecast for the encompassing cities is usually deceiving, as temperatures could be round 20 levels cooler at Newfound Gap, as an illustration, than down in Gatlinburg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ve had many experiences the place there was chilly rain hammering on me at Clingmans Dome and by the point I get again to city, it\u2019s a sweltering 90 levels. Check climate forecasts for spots like Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap, and different factors alongside the path for a extra correct image.<\/span><\/p>\n Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a wholesome black bear inhabitants, and, given a rise in tourism and guests not acquainted with correct bear etiquette, can also be susceptible to some drawback bears. Make certain to hold <\/span>your whole smelly issues<\/span><\/a> at evening. Each campsite within the Smokies has extremely helpful bear cables. Throw your stuff in a dry bag, connect it to the cable\u2019s hook, pull, latch to the tree, and also you\u2019re good to go.<\/span><\/p>\n I don\u2019t personally hike with bear spray until I\u2019m alone, however I do convey alongside a mini air horn and have certainly used it to maneuver alongside some relatively cussed bears within the Smokies.<\/span><\/p>\n Shelter websites are susceptible to sudden closures because of bear exercise. Do not ignore these closures. Plan forward to determine various campsites ought to you find yourself with a closed website in your itinerary. The backcountry workplace will warn you to any closures by way of the contact data you present in your allow software.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out <\/span>BearWise<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>park\u2019s web site<\/span><\/a> for extra bear security suggestions.<\/span><\/p>\n The AT by means of the Smokies is pretty well-marked, however it is best to nonetheless carry a map. The <\/span>Great Smoky Mountains National Park maps by National Geographic<\/span><\/a> are my go-to. And, if you buy them by means of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, your buy additionally helps defend the park for years to come back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The waterproof <\/span>Great Smoky Mountains Trail Map<\/span><\/a> can also be helpful for fast references, however shouldn\u2019t be used for navigation functions.<\/span><\/p>\n I used my beloved <\/span>Mariposa 60<\/span><\/a> backpack to hike the AT by means of the Smokies, and it carried out like a champ, as at all times. It held all of the meals and kit I wanted for a number of days and carried the burden properly. Using a <\/span>pack liner<\/span><\/a> is vital although, because the Smokies generally is a very moist place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since I\u2019m not the largest fan of sleeping within the shelters, I additionally introduced alongside <\/span>The One tent<\/span><\/a> and set it up with <\/span>\n
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Overview of the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How Many Days to Plan for Hiking the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Trailhead Parking and Shuttles for Hiking the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Where to Camp on the AT within the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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AT Water Sources within the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Points of Interest Along the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Shuckstack Fire Tower<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Rocky Top<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Clingmans Dome<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Charlies Bunion<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Mount Cammerer<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Other Tips About Hiking the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n
Weather<\/span><\/h3>\n
Bears<\/span><\/h3>\n
Maps<\/span><\/h3>\n
Best Gear for Hiking the AT Through the Smokies<\/span><\/h2>\n