Great Smoky MNT NP Fontana Lake

Update 11/23/2021

• Bear Safety:

• We will be visitors in the home range ofUrsulus Americanis, the American Black Bear!

• For your food and any items that have a scent [deoderent, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, etc.] you will need to hang your pack on the cables in each campsite

• DO NOT keep any food or anything with a scent in your tent or you risk being visited in the middle of the night

• I will be bringing Bear Spray in the event we encounter a bear who doesn’t respond to noise or rocks and sticks.  But, this is unlikely.  Ask me later and will tell you some stories : )

• Check out this video for guidance on bear encounters

• Please send me any questions

See you Friday,

Grant

Update 11/16/2021

Cold Weather:

First, as you know, it will be cold, and will most likely be below freezing at night.  Use this link to check specific weather for Fontana Lake.  And be prepared with your gear. 

Water crossings:

Due to trail conditions, I need to make a few requests.  The trail will cross some creeks that could be as much as knee-deep.  You will need to plan to bring water shoes and pull up your pants for these crossings.  That is the best way to do it in cold weather.  Also, I need to ask that you plan to bring trekking poles for the crossings as the current could be strong.  If you don't want to bring trekking poles, and if the stream current is strong, it is possible to do a team water crossing technique of two or three people if you want.  I do understand if you would rather remove yourself from the trip based on these conditions.

Safety info:

For safety, please let me know if you suffer from insect bit allergy or asthma.  If there are any other medical concerns you have that you may want to share with me, please do so.  If you are bringing an epi-pen or inhaler, remember to tell me where they are located on your person at the beginning of the trip.  I will be bringing a full first aid kit.  I have a Wilderness First Aid certificate.  I will also be bringing an InReach satellite communicator device.

Sharing:

I am excited about the possibility of sharing the weight for food and water.  Please let me know if you want to participate in the sharing procedure.  I have had multiple rave reviews for my backcountry chili recipe!  Also, I can accommodate any food preferences or restrictions, just let me know.  Please know that we will follow safe procedures for food preparation, dishwashing, and proper sanitation.  For example, ladles and spoons never touch personal bowls, water filter bottles and hoses never touch personal bottles.  By participating in the food sharing you will only need to bring a personal bowl, spoon, and water bladder/bottles.

Hi Folks!

I was only able to secure 6 permits for this cool trip.  We will carpool from Busbee Park n Ride up to Fontanna Lake Marina.  It is a 3-hour drive.  From the marina, we will hike along the Appalachian Trail across the Fontana dam and up to Little Shuckstack Mountain fire tower.  From there we will come off the mountain and back down to the Lost Cove camp on the banks of Eagle Creek as it feeds into Fontana Lake.  This segment is 10 miles with 3400 feet of elevation gain and loss.  We will camp at Lost Cove site #90.  The next day we will hike about 6 miles to the old town of Proctor site #86.  Along the way, we will see the ruins of several of the buildings, homes, and cemetery of the once-thriving Proctor lumber town.  The following morning we will hike 1 mile to Olive Cove to meet the shuttle boat  back to the marina. 

The cost of the shuttle is $30 and you will pay at the marina upon our return. 

Be prepared for 5-10 creek crossings on the first day.  Because this is exploratory, I am not aware of how deep these crossings will be.  I will ask around and let you know what I find out.  There appear to be 2 or 3 crossings on the second day.  It could also be a little muddy and possibly wet getting into the shuttle boat.  Again, I will research this more and let you know.  Here is a map of all of the segments.

Sharing Procedure/Food and Beverage Service:

I would like to offer you the option for me to run the food and beverage part of this trip for us.  I will provide the food, oversee the camp kitchen, provide a commissary for cooking and washing, and provide for water purification.  For this, we will all just share the cost of the food and share the packing weight of the food, commissary, and water filter.  For those who wish to participate in this, I will send out a food preferences/restrictions questionnaire to then finalize the menu.  Vegetarian option available.  Here’s the menu.

Google Map Directions to the marina

The campsite cost is $8 per person.

If you participate in the sharing procedure, the food cost will be $20.

We will only cancel due to extreme weather