Rescheduled: Gregory Bald in the Smokies

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Rescheduled: Gregory Bald in the Smokies

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Backpacking: Rescheduled: Gregory Bald in the Smokies

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Apr 12 2024 11:30 am >> Sat, Apr 13 2024 12:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:30 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Sat, Mar 9 2024 5:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Apr 5 2024 9:00 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 1 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

14.4 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Mark

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:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

We will be doing a 2-day backpacking loop trip where we will camp below the summit of Gregory Bald. Gregory Bald is one of only two maintained balds in the Smokies. The other is Andrews Bald. Neither offers camping on the top, but the Sheep Pen Campsite is a short walk from the top of Gregory Bald. Gregory Bald offers beautiful views of Cades Cove. We will pitch camp at the Sheep Pen Campsite and in the evening we can take a short hike to the Bald to view the sunset. We can enjoy a campfire as we prepare for a night's rest before a 2nd day of backpacking. In the morning we will cross Gregory's Bald and once again enjoy views, this time, early morning views which often feature silky clouds draped below and around lower peaks. We will return to Twenty Mile Ranger Station via The Long Hungry Ridge Trail.

For photos of the area and interesting reading, here is a link to a blog entry of one of my hikes to Gregory Bald. This one also included Lost Cove and Eagle Creek, so scroll to the end for pics of Gregory Bald. https://uphillhikes.com/2008/12/13/high-water-eagle-creek/

We will stop for lunch on the way home. Probably in Robbinsville or Murphy, but it may be a late lunch.

We have a reservation for 6 people at campsite #13. The cost of the reservation permit is $48, which will be divided equally among the total participants. For example, if we have 3 members participating in the trip, you will owe the trip leader $16. (This event has been rescheduled and GSMNP would not allow a change in the permit date. A new permit will need to be purchased. Due to the change, each participant's portion of the permit cost will be $17.) If you sign up, and need to cancel, 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.

I will be asking every participant about their recent fitness level and their experience carrying an overnight backpack. I will be asking you questions about your equipment and backpack weight and your experience carrying that weight. The first day of this hike includes at least 3500 feet of vertical ascent.

Required Items to Bring:

Food: one lunch, one dinner, one breakfast, and a snack. Pack the lunch for the first day. We will be around the trailhead at lunchtime and will probably hike for a short while before breaking for lunch. We will stop to eat on the way home in either Robbinsville or Murphy.

Tent, backpack, sleeping bag and pad, raingear, warm coat, warm hat, headlamp, toilet paper, utensils, cookware, and water.

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

Hiking poles stove, water filter, snacks, matches, change of clothes for return trip in car.

Here is a packing list that I used while thru-hiking the PCT in 2018. It is customized for colder weather in the Sierra. It may not be very useful here, but it could prevent you from overlooking some necessity.

https://lighterpack.com/r/zjiavf

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Use Google Maps to drive to Twenty Mile Ranger Station - https://maps.app.goo.gl/c7yctzvs7cuWNTya8

Drive through Murphy, NC on Hwy US 74

Upon reaching Topton, make a sharp left on US Hwy 29.

Drive through Robbinsville, NC and keep on US Hwy 29.

Past Tapoca, and over the Little Tennessee River, look for a right turn on US Hwy 28.

(If you miss the turn on US Hwy 28, you will be on the Dragon Tail, famous for neverending sharp curves. You will regret it.)

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

320Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $128.00 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:

All Trails Link - https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-8-2024-310b609?u=i&sh=os56dh

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

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