Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike - Sat, Apr 15 2017

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cosby Campground   Hike: Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 15 2017  9:00 am >> Sat, Apr 15 2017 8:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 5:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Mar 29 2017 8:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 14 2017 11:30 pm
Event Duration:11 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:16 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Laura
Scott
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 11 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Backpacker Magazine named the Smokies hike to Mt. Cammerer as the National Parks' "Best Wildflower Hike" in its November 2009 issue. The challenging 16-mile Mt. Cammerer loop begins at the Cosby Campground trailhead (.25 miles) and then follows the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail where trilliums not seen elsewhere in the park blossom and dwarf-crested iris paint the ground purple. After 7.4 miles, the trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail, and we will follow the AT for 2.3 miles until we reach the Mt. Cammerer Trail, which we will hike up .6 miles to have lunch at the fire tower.  After lunch, we will hike back down the Mt. Cammerer Trail (.6 miles) and continue down the AT for 2.1 miles until we reach the junction with the Lower Gap Trail.  The 2.5 mile trail will take us past orchid-like spring beauties that cover the forest floor like snow and pockets of yellow trout lilies until we return to the Cosby Campground (.25 miles).

While this is a long, strenuous 16-mile hike that involves 3,000 feet of elevation gain, we will be hiking at a leisurely pace so that we can enjoy and photograph all of the wildflowers. However, this is NOT a beginners hike, so please be sure you are in good physical condition.

The carpool for this event is TBD based on the preferences of those who sign up.  The trip leaders will be leaving very early Saturday morning and returning late Saturday night.  However, due to the distance from Atlanta and the numerous amazing hikes in the area, we highly recommend to anyone that has the time to camp at Cosby or stay in a cabin or other lodging for the weekend (or longer).  Following registration, we will circulate an email to assist in crystallizing carpool arrangements based upon your chosen departure date.


Required Items to Bring:

Water or Energy Drinks
Trail Snacks
Lunch & Dinner
Good Hiking Shoes/Boots
Flashlight or Headlamp

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Camera
Hiking Poles
Sunscreen
Bug Spray


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

COSBY CAMPGROUND
127 Cosby Park Road
Cosby TN 37722

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.75333, -83.20861
35°45'12"N, 83°12'31"W

From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles south of the junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Campground is another 2 miles.

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):400Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 5:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $160.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

This event is rain or shine.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.