Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike (+ Camping)

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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.

Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike (+ Camping)

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Cosby Campground

Hike: Smokies Mt. Cammerer Wildflower Hike (+ Camping)

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Apr 28 2013 7:30 am >> Sun, Apr 28 2013 6:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 2:00 pm *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Thu, Apr 18 2013 7:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Apr 27 2013 1:00 pm

Event Duration:

11 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

16 Miles

Pace:

Leisurely

Trip Leader(s):

Scott
Laura

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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:

5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

In 2009, Backpacker Magazine named the Smokies hike to Mt. Cammerer as the National Parks' "Best Wildflower Hike" in its November issue (http://www.backpacker.com/november-2009-national-parks-hall-of-fame-best-wildflowers/destinations/13593). Following a night of camping at Cosby Campground, we will hike this trail to see one of the best wildflower displays in the Southeast.

The challenging 16-mile Mt. Cammerer loop begins at the Cosby Campground trailhead (.25 miles) and then follows the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail where trilliums not seen elsewhere in the park blossom and dwarf-crested iris paint the ground purple. After 7.4 miles, the trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail, and we will follow the AT for 2.3 miles until we reach the Mt. Cammerer Trail, which we will hike up .6 miles to have lunch at the fire tower. After lunch, we will hike back down the Mt. Cammerer Trail (.6 miles) and continue down the AT for 2.1 miles until we reach the junction with the Lower Gap Trail. The 2.5 mile trail will take us past orchid-like spring beauties that cover the forest floor like snow and pockets of yellow trout lilies until we return to the Cosby Campground (.25 miles).

While this is a long, strenuous 16-mile hike that involves 3,000 feet of elevation gain, we will be hiking at a leisurely pace so that we can enjoy and photograph all of the wildflowers. However, this is NOT a beginners hike, so please be sure you are in good physical condition. Also, we will be starting this hike at 7:30 AM in the morning so that we have ample daylight to enjoy the scenery. We will not return to Atlanta until late Sunday night.

Required Items to Bring:

For Hiking
Water or Energy Drinks
Lunch
Trail Snacks
Good Hiking Shoes/Boots
Flashlight or Headlamp

For Camping
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Dinner
Breakfast
Drinks
Cookware and Utensils
Extra Clothes
Toiletries

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

Camera
Hiking Poles
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Firewood
Pillow
Camp Chair
Stove

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

COSBY CAMPGROUND
127 Cosby Park Road
Cosby TN 37722

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.75333, -83.20861
35°45'12"N, 83°12'31"W

From Cosby, TN, proceed south on TN 32 about 1.5 miles south of the junction with US 321. Turn right at Cosby sign. Campground is another 2 miles.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

400Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

2:00 pm

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $160.00 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:

This event is rain or shine.

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

Member Cost:

$5.00/Person

Cost Includes:

1 Night of Camping at Cosby Campground on Saturday night.

(Actual cost of campsite will be split equally by person among campers and collected at the campground)

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.