Overnight Backpack Trip to the Smokies - Sat, Oct 29 2005

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Overnight Backpack Trip to the Smokies


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Oct 29 2005  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Oct 26 2005 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Don Hayes
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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:2
Number Registered So Far: 9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Strenuous

This hike is designed for those with some backpacking experience, want to challenge themselves a bit, and aren’t afraid of elevation changes.

This will be your opportunity to push yourself in the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. We will start off at the Smokemont campground at an elevation of about 2200 feet. We’ll proceed up the ridge, stop briefly and enjoy the beautiful Chasteen Creek Cascades before we start our climb to about 5000 feet over approximately 7 miles. At this high point in our hike, it will be a good time to relax and a have snack before we head down the ridge an additional 4 miles to our campsite at Cabin Flats (about 3060 feet). This is by a nice stream where we will enjoy each others company and anticipate our hike back down the mountain the next morning. This trail has a lot of wonderful vistas that we’ll take advantage of us as we stop periodically to catch our collective breaths.

After a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning, we’ll hike about 5 miles down to our cars. If there is enough interest, we can check out some of the local waterfalls in the area such as the impressive 120’ Mingo Falls, check out the local Casino in Cherokee for a buffet lunch, or just start heading back to Atlanta. Plan on a late afternoon or early dinner stop, unless we stuff ourselves at the Buffet.

The total distance on the first day will be 12 miles with a net altitude change of only about 500 feet, but will go up about 2800 feet before coming back down 2000 feet to our campsite. Of course there are valleys so it won’t be all up and down, but a whole series of elevation changes. This (in addition to the 12 miles with gear) is the reason why this hike is rated strenuous. We will go as a group and make whatever rest stops are necessary along the way.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Dress for the weather and standard AOC backpacking recommendations.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Carpool Only. Take I 85 to I 985 to US 23/441 North. US-441 leads to the park. We will stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for a break before continuing on the Smokemont campground (about 4 miles north) where we’ll park our cars, get our backcountry permit, and start the hike. It’ll be 2.5 – 3 hrs (from the carpool site) to reach the trail head.

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? No.

Will this event occur rain or shine? No, not if heavy thunderstorms are forecast.

NOTE: Please be considerate of others. If you sign-up and cannot attend, please e-mail the trip leader, so others that may be on a waiting list may attend.

E-mail the trip leader to be put on a waiting list if the trip is at the max number of attendees.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:Share of Gas money for the ride up. Money for food on the journey back.

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