I'm thinking of doing a solo backpacking trip in GSMNP in late April. Most likely 4 or 5 days in the middle of the week, if I can make it work.
I'd like to visit areas that are scenic/photogenic and not overrun with people. Ideally I hope to keep the mileage down to 10 miles or less/day, as my solo pack w/ camera gear ain't lightweight. Any suggestions?
Sounds like fun. I'm not that familiar with the specific campsites but you might be able to set up a nice route by starting at Deep Creek or down by Lake Fontana and working you way up then across the top and back down into Greenbrier. Then up and over to Big Creek. Ironically, at that time most people will be where it is most photogenic which will mostly be along the lower slopes which will be warmer and greener. But few make it very far from the trailheads and most will just be along the roads. The last week of April (starting the 24th) is when the GSMNP Wildflower Pilgrimage occurs, which does draw people. Hope this helps.
One thing, don't neglect the bears. While they won't bother you, they may go after your food in campsites at night especially if they are just waking up and hungry! I believe it is recommended (if not mandatory) to take a bear canister.
John
Posted by Lori Kincaid on April 8, 2006 at 9:46 AM
Are you planning to do a loop or can Melissa pick you up and drop you off? There are plenty of possibilities, but I'd try to find something along the creeks to capture some of that lush Smokies green during full flow. The backcountry around Fontana Lake can be less crowded than other areas and the creeks in that area are gorgeous, but I haven't been over that way in a while. The Baxter Creek-Big Creek loop is a nice two night loop and you can do a longer loop out of Elkmont involving several streams and the Appalachian Trail (AT). The AT along the backbone of the Smokies is always nice, but spring won't have really sprung up there in late April, camping is in mice-infested shelters, and there may still be some thru-hikers coming through, indicating the shelters can be crowded. These are just some of the possibilities. I think all of the Smokies backountry sites now have cable and pulley systems for hanging your food.
I can do a loop or a point to point. I should have mentioned that I want to avoid the shelters if at all possible, especially now knowing that they are mice infested! I'll pull out my topo and check the Fontana Lake and Baxter Creek-Big Creek areas. I'm still not sure if I can swing this trip but if I can, I may have to do an overnighter in one section, hitch hike to another area and do a different loop to maximize time spent near the creeks and in lower elevations where spring is in effect.
I really appreciate the suggestions!
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 9, 2006 at 7:26 PM
Brett,
I'd do something out of Elkmont/Tremont along the lower rivers and intermountain trails. I doubt the West side trails will be overcrowded at this time. I'd probably start in Elkmont, do something like Cucumber Gap trail, Jakes Creek/Panther creek over to Tremont, then over the west prong (IIRC) trail to the Bote Mountain/Lead Cove/Finley Cove areas. There are other trails connecting with plenty of campsites.
BTW, you can't get into Greenbrier Cove "over the top"; there aren't any trails except the (in)famous Porter's Creek Manway which comes out near Charlie's Bunion, is an unmaintained manway that gains about 3,000 feet in 2 miles, and is not recommended to come down.
You can get in from Cherokee Orchard and the Grapeyard Ridge Trail via the AT, Boulevard, and LeConte, or by coming over Low Gap (AT) above Cosby and taking the Old Settler's Trail west. But either of these would be in the still barren high country a lot. And as we've seen, severe weather is still likely. Keep in mind Grandfather mountain had winds over 200 mph just a few months ago.
Posted by Robert Helms on April 9, 2006 at 8:36 PM
Bret,
A couple of years ago I solo backapcked along Welch Ridge, Bear Creek and came out the Fourney Creek trail. Though I thoroughly enjoyed myself , I found it lacking photographic potential. There was a couple of nice streams,but as I recall they were well above normal. My intended route was along Hazel Creek and around, but the park ranger said that area was off limits due to high water. I'd say the best area along the route I took was right about where campsite 68 was, or use to be. If you are looking for out of the way scenics I would rule out these trails.
Hamely's idea sounds good to me (Elkmont/Tremont) and I feel it's worth considering. Whatever you decide let us know how it went. Wish I was joining ya.
Thanks for the suggestions, folks. I checked out the Elkmont/Tremont area on my topo and there appear to be a number of trails and streams in the area that may provide some interesting photo opps. Most likely, I'll head there. I really appreciate the suggestions from all of you!
Posted by Jon Massie on April 11, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Bret,
I read an article on the web concerning a similar route and hiked the end of last April. Huge complaints of knee-deep mud in some areas due to all the horse traffic, but also sounded like some photogenic areas w/ blooms:
http://www.griztrax.net/hiking/SmokyTrails/LynnCamp.html
Discussion
7 repliesI'd like to visit areas that are scenic/photogenic and not overrun with people. Ideally I hope to keep the mileage down to 10 miles or less/day, as my solo pack w/ camera gear ain't lightweight. Any suggestions?
Sounds like fun. I'm not that familiar with the specific campsites but you might be able to set up a nice route by starting at Deep Creek or down by Lake Fontana and working you way up then across the top and back down into Greenbrier. Then up and over to Big Creek. Ironically, at that time most people will be where it is most photogenic which will mostly be along the lower slopes which will be warmer and greener. But few make it very far from the trailheads and most will just be along the roads. The last week of April (starting the 24th) is when the GSMNP Wildflower Pilgrimage occurs, which does draw people. Hope this helps.
One thing, don't neglect the bears. While they won't bother you, they may go after your food in campsites at night especially if they are just waking up and hungry! I believe it is recommended (if not mandatory) to take a bear canister.
John
Hope this helps.
Lori
I can do a loop or a point to point. I should have mentioned that I want to avoid the shelters if at all possible, especially now knowing that they are mice infested! I'll pull out my topo and check the Fontana Lake and Baxter Creek-Big Creek areas. I'm still not sure if I can swing this trip but if I can, I may have to do an overnighter in one section, hitch hike to another area and do a different loop to maximize time spent near the creeks and in lower elevations where spring is in effect.
I really appreciate the suggestions!
I'd do something out of Elkmont/Tremont along the lower rivers and intermountain trails. I doubt the West side trails will be overcrowded at this time. I'd probably start in Elkmont, do something like Cucumber Gap trail, Jakes Creek/Panther creek over to Tremont, then over the west prong (IIRC) trail to the Bote Mountain/Lead Cove/Finley Cove areas. There are other trails connecting with plenty of campsites.
BTW, you can't get into Greenbrier Cove "over the top"; there aren't any trails except the (in)famous Porter's Creek Manway which comes out near Charlie's Bunion, is an unmaintained manway that gains about 3,000 feet in 2 miles, and is not recommended to come down.
You can get in from Cherokee Orchard and the Grapeyard Ridge Trail via the AT, Boulevard, and LeConte, or by coming over Low Gap (AT) above Cosby and taking the Old Settler's Trail west. But either of these would be in the still barren high country a lot. And as we've seen, severe weather is still likely. Keep in mind Grandfather mountain had winds over 200 mph just a few months ago.
http://www.wral.com/news/6440729/detail.html?rss=ral&psp=news
Steve
A couple of years ago I solo backapcked along Welch Ridge, Bear Creek and came out the Fourney Creek trail. Though I thoroughly enjoyed myself , I found it lacking photographic potential. There was a couple of nice streams,but as I recall they were well above normal. My intended route was along Hazel Creek and around, but the park ranger said that area was off limits due to high water. I'd say the best area along the route I took was right about where campsite 68 was, or use to be. If you are looking for out of the way scenics I would rule out these trails.
Hamely's idea sounds good to me (Elkmont/Tremont) and I feel it's worth considering. Whatever you decide let us know how it went. Wish I was joining ya.
I read an article on the web concerning a similar route and hiked the end of last April. Huge complaints of knee-deep mud in some areas due to all the horse traffic, but also sounded like some photogenic areas w/ blooms:
http://www.griztrax.net/hiking/SmokyTrails/LynnCamp.html