Backpacking Lost Cove in the Smokies - Sat, Apr 14 2018

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.



Backpacking Lost Cove in the Smokies


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 14 2018  10:30 am >> Sun, Apr 15 2018 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 29 2018 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 13 2018 10:00 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 6 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:14 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bob Bunner
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us for a backpacking trip to one of the premier campsites in all of the Southeast - Lost Cove. This hike will begin on the AT at Fontana Dam. I have rated this hike a D5 because we will ascend 2100 feet for 3.7 miles up Shuckstack Ridge along the AT to the Shuckstack Firetower. It's a challenging climb, but once you reach the top, the views to the South, including Fontana Lake, are spectacular from atop the firetower. From there, we will mostly descend for 4.0 miles along the Lost Cove Trail until we reach campsite # 90 at Lost Cove. The potential campsites will depend on the lake levels - when the water levels are low to average, a creek encircles a beautiful large meadow.  When the water levels are high, the creek becomes a lake, but there are plenty of campsites in the forest adjacent to the lake. Expect a later than normal depature on Sunday morning, between 10-11 a.m.  The hike out is 5.7 miles along the Lakeshore Trail back to Fontana Dam.  We will stop for lunch at the River's End restaurant in Wesser around 2-3 p.m. 

We have a reservation for 8 people at campsite #90. The cost of the reservation permit is $32.  If you want to pitch in for a portion of the permit fee, your contribution will be most welcome.  If you do sign up, and for some reason you have to cancel, please have the courtesy to remove yourself as soon as possible so that we can give people on the waiting list sufficient notice that there is a spot for them on this event.

Please be prepared to let me know about your backpacking experience.  I will not let you go on this trip unless I feel comfortable that you are physically fit enough for this event.


Required Items to Bring:

Food: one lunch, one dinner, one breakfast, and a snack.  We will stop and get something to eat in Wesser on the way home, but it will likely be around 2-3 p.m.  Tent, backpack, sleeping pad, raingear, warm coat, warm hat, flashlight, toilet paper, utensils, cookware, and water.

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

Hiking poles and extra pair of shoes for creek crossings, stove, water filter, snacks, matches, change of clothes.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Meet at the Carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):300Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $120.00 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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