Backpacking the Smokies - Porters Creek & Ramsey Cascades Trails - Fri, Jul 30 2010, Sat, Jul 31 2010, Sun, Aug 1 2010

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REGISTRATION & PAYMENT 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. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.

Backpacking the Smokies - Porters Creek & Ramsey Cascades Trails

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Fri, Jul 30 2010, Sat, Jul 31 2010, Sun, Aug 1 2010 5:30 pm >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 5:30 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Sun, Jul 25 2010 11:45 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Jul 29 2010 8:00 pm

Event Duration:

2 Nights

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Trip Leader(s):

Laura
Scott

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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

$5.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Come out and join us this weekend for a backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains! We will be exploring the Greenbrier area of the park by day-hiking the Ramsey Cascades Trail to see the tallest waterfall in the park and then backpacking along the Porters Creek Trail to setup camp at Campsite #31 -Porters Flat.

Ramsey Cascades Trail
Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the most spectacular. Water drops 100 feet over rock outcroppings and collects in a small pool where numerous well-camouflaged salamanders can be found.

The trail to the waterfall gains over 2,000' in elevation over its 4 mile course and the 8-mile roundtrip hike is considered strenuous in difficulty. It follows rushing rivers and streams for much of its length. The last 2 miles pass through an old-growth cove hardwood forest with large tuliptrees, basswoods, silverbells, and yellow birches.

Porters Creek Trail
Although most famous in the spring for its wildflowers, the trail following Porters Creek is beautiful throughout the year. The trail leads 3.6 miles up 1,500' to Campsite #31 set along the river bank. Along the way, we will pass the Fern Bank Falls and several historical sites like the John Messer Barn, the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin, an old cemetery, rock walls, and stone steps.

Day 1 - Friday 7/30
We will meet at the carpool at 5:30pm on Friday and then head to the Elkmont campground for a night of car camping so that we can make the most of our day on Saturday. At about the halfway point, we will make a quick stop for dinner. We should arrive at the campground around 10pm, and then set up our tents by the light of our headlamps and flashlights.

Day 2 - Saturday 7/31
We will break camp at Elkmont around 8am and drive to the Greenbrier ranger station to pick up our backcountry permits for Campsite #31. From there we will head to the Ramsey Cascades trailhead and leave our packs in the car to day-hike to the Ramsey Cascades. We will eat lunch at the falls, and then complete the 8 mile trail by returning to our cars.

Next we will drive to the Porters Creek trailhead and backpack along the Porters Creek trail for 3.6 miles until we reach our campsite. After setting up camp, we will make dinner, relax, and roast marshmallows around the campfire.

Day 3 - Sunday 8/1
On Sunday, we will get an early start and leave camp no later than 8am to head back on the trail. It is a 3.6 mile hike back to our cars, and from there we will head back to the carpool location. We should arrive back to the carpool around 3-4pm.

Required Items to Bring:
Hiking Boots
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleep Pad
Food (2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1-2 Dinners, and Snacks)
Cookware and Utensils
Water
Flashlight
Extra Clothes

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Hiking Poles
Stove
Water Filter
Matches/Lighter
Change of Clothes and Towel for Drive Home

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Elkmont Campground
434 Elkmont Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Park Map - http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/grsmmap1.pdf

Directions will be provided at the carpool location.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

360Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

5:30 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $144.00 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:

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/upload/GSMNP%20Backcountry%20Map.pdf

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

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$5.00/Person

Non-Member Cost:

$5.00/Person

Cost Includes:

$5.00 for campsite at Elkmont

Make a Payment:

Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

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