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Tuttle 
Group: Members
Posts: 118
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 1:28 pm |
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Every time I go to the Smokies, I'm worried about hitting the higher elevations; LeConte, Charlies Bunion, Chimney Tops, etc. What are some of the better lower elevation hikes that would be good for winter?
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| Post Number: 2
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Tuttle
Group: Members
Posts: 118
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 2:03 pm |
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Oh, and I'm thinking of going this weekend so let me hear it, ASAP!
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| Post Number: 3
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markweth
Group: Members
Posts: 37
Joined: Jan. 2013
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 2:14 pm |
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My experience backpacking in the higher elevations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and nearby areas is limited, although I did do two separate three-night trips in the area in late November 2012 and am planning a two-night trip to GSMNP later this month, so hopefully I can contribute some useful advice.
Although there are definitely awesome lower elevation hikes in the Smokies, the main draw for me there is the elevation and vistas. Personally, if I had to choose between a low elevation hike in the Smokies and a hike in the Big South Fork (which, judging by your avatar, I assume you've been to) or other public land on the Cumberland Plateau, I'd be pretty tempted to choose the BSF or another area. Especially since winter is such a great time to backpack in the BSF -- leaves are down so you can see more of the rock formations, no ticks, more water in the streams, etc. Then you could save the higher elevations of the Smokies for summer. Just my two cents.
That said, is your reluctance to backpack at the higher elevations based on knowledge that such conditions would likely be pushing the limits of your gear or are your worries more abstract or just from lack of experience with higher elevations?
I was nervous about the conditions on the my recent overnight trips in the Smokies and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness but knew that I had the gear to handle it and that such conditions were precisely why I had purchased the gear in the first place. It was kind of something I just had to get myself excited for and make sure all proper precautions were taken.
In terms of good winter hikes, I would say that the loop using Gabes Mountain Trail, Maddorn Bald Trail, and Snake Den Ridge Trail might be a good choice -- especially in a mild winter like we're having. You'd be staying at campsite #34 and #29, and with #29 being at about 4,500 you get a little bit of elevation without having to worry as much about the extremes you might encounter at LeCone or the other areas above 6,000 feet.
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Mostly Southeastern Outdoor Scenery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvweth
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| Post Number: 4
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Tuttle
Group: Members
Posts: 118
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 2:25 pm |
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Yes, that is BSF. Good eye!
Sorry, I left out that we're just day hiking. And a guy going with is recovering from a knee surgery, so we don't want to over do it.
Thanks for all of the info though.
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| Post Number: 5
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markweth
Group: Members
Posts: 37
Joined: Jan. 2013
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 2:43 pm |
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I'd recommend the hike to Hen Wallow Falls then -- about 4 miles total. Really nice waterfall, pleasant trail, definitely not too strenuous.
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Mostly Southeastern Outdoor Scenery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvweth
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| Post Number: 7
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Tuttle
Group: Members
Posts: 118
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 10:21 pm |
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I'd say up to 6-10 miles. The elevation change is proabably the biggie, nothing too crazy. I had originally thought Ramsey Cascades, but according to hikingthesmokys.com, it a big elevation change. Just dayhike, no backpacking.
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| Post Number: 8
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kevinumberger
Group: Members
Posts: 3664
Joined: Dec. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 15 2013, 11:48 pm |
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I was going to suggest ramsay cascades trail------the falls should look spectacular this weekend after all the rain we've had......
This weekend is a waterfall tyoe of weekend.....
Deep creek up to indian falls and back and maybe throw in the juney whank trail and there's three waterfalls.........
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| Post Number: 9
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Tuttle
Group: Members
Posts: 118
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:11 pm |
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Good point about the rain. Curious what today/tomorrow's weather will bring.
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| Post Number: 10
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| Post Number: 11
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null
Group: Members
Posts: 620
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:45 pm |
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The Lakeshore Trail is a good one, but it's longer than just a weekend. A shorter trip is the Goldmine Loop.
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Lose Weight Backpacking
http://www.fitpacking.com
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| Post Number: 12
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pastywhite
Group: Members
Posts: 1562
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 4:45 pm |
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Any of the waterfalls would be good this weekend. I bet Ramseys will really be something to see though.
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