Gregory Bald in the Smokies

At approximately 5,000 feet in elevation, Gregory Bald provides one of the great vistas in the Smokies.  This is a challenging D5 backpacking trip with more than 3500 feet of elevation gain over nine miles on the first day.  The trip leaders may contact you about your recent backpacking experience to make sure you are a good fit for this trip.

We will start this loop on Saturday morning at the Twenty Mile Ranger Station.  The hike proceeds for about three miles on the Twentymile trail.  At the junction, we'll take the fork onto the Long Hungry Ridge Trail.  We'll continue for about a mile where we will stop for lunch at campsite 92.  The beginning of this next section includes several creek crossings for the first 1/3 mile.  You will need water shoes if you want to keep your feet dry for the rest of the trip.  The Long Hungry Ridge Trail ascends at approximately 900 feet per mile for the next two miles.  At about 8.5 miles, we will reach Gregory Bald.  After enjoying the initial views, we will descend about 1/2 mile to our campsite at Sheep Pen Gap.  After setting up our tents and gathering water from a nearby stream, we will collect firewood for that evening.  After dinner, everyone will have the option of walking back up to the bald. 

On Sunday morning, we will enjoy breakfast before beginning our seven mile descent down the Wolf Creek Trail back to our trailhead.  It is our custom to stop for lunch at the Rivers End restaurant at the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the way home.

We have a reservation for 8 people at campsite #13. The cost of the reservation permit is $64, which will be divided equally among the total participants.  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.

Twenty Mile Ranger Station (google maps)

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