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Musher 
Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 19 2013, 5:27 pm |
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Hey guys and gals, I'm new to this forum and I have a question pertaining to a trip in the Great Smokey Mountains, I'm going to do this June. I plan to hike from Mt. Guyot to Clingman's Dome.
My questions are these:
1) Is it possible to overnight park at the Cosby Campground for more than one night?
2) What are the Low Gap trail conditions like?
3) Is it possible to overnight park at the Clingman's Dome parking lot?
My plan is to hike from the Cosby Campground to Clingman's Dome, in three days, as a through hike. I know that is a long time for this hike, but I will have two less conditioned hikers with me (plus, I plan to take lots of photos, as I am a professional photographer). We will shuttle park two cars with the trail head being Cosby and the trail terminus being Clingman's. We would hike to and sleep at the Tricorner Knob shelter on night one, then hike to and sleep at the Icewater Spring shelter on night two, and finish out the last day to Clingman's.
I added a clip of the map, with the trail head being in the top right corner, and the terminus in the bottom left corner.
Any advice, experiences and input is much appreciated!
- Musher
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| Post Number: 2
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39526
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 19 2013, 5:35 pm |
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There's a "Southern" regional Forum that is a bit more likely to get you a local knowledge response.
http://forums.backpacker.com/cgi-bin....2107219
Also some national parks have Facebook pages where direct questions can get answered.
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| Post Number: 3
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redfox1939
Group: Members
Posts: 16
Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 12:46 am |
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Even if you just drive to the Clingmans Dome parking lot it is beautiful. The view is amazing and the air is so refreshing. I could stay all day. If you are up to it, hike up to the observation tower where you can see forever. The hike is steep, but it is paved and there are seats along the way if you need to rest.
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http://www.hillsidesedona.net/shop-sedona/
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| Post Number: 4
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smokehiker
Group: Members
Posts: 188
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 6:07 am |
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Yes you can park at Cosby CG and Clingmans Dome Parking area. Low Gap trail should be in good shape....haven't been on it in a couple of years though. It's a straight-forward 2.5 mile trail that links you to the AT. Moderate elevation gain.
I've included a link to the GSMNP backcountry web site.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm
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| Post Number: 5
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UlightBandit
ROAR!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 2394
Joined: Jun. 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 8:41 am |
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1. Yes
2. Good
3. Yes
When will you be doing this?
The road up to clingmans dome from TN side has been closed on and off due to snow and ice. The road up from the NC side is closed due to a mud/rock slide. Also, we are quickly approaching spring, which means northbound through hikers will be using the shelters with increasing frequency. It could get crowded.
Like HSF said, you might want to move this over to the Southeast forum.
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| Post Number: 6
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ashepabst
Group: Members
Posts: 1006
Joined: Jul. 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 1:25 pm |
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your less conditioned hiker friends are going to hate you after this
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| Post Number: 7
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kevinumberger
Group: Members
Posts: 3633
Joined: Dec. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 2:21 pm |
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yup.........they will........
that is, if you actually see them at clingman's.......especially if you say you wanna take lots of photos on the way (which is time consuming)....
why not just bail out at newfound gap?
that's a much do-able 3 dayer.......
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| Post Number: 8
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ashepabst
Group: Members
Posts: 1006
Joined: Jul. 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 3:01 pm |
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you can pretty much drive to clingman's anyway
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| Post Number: 9
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Musher
Group: Members
Posts: 2
Joined: Mar. 2013
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Posted on: Mar. 20 2013, 5:05 pm |
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Thanks guys, for the quick responses. I've driven to Clingman's. I'm not interested in that. I've done it a few times already. Our mission is to backpack, not take a scenic drive 
I am a serious White Mountains veteran and my goal is to hit the higher parts of the Smokies. The first week of June is our trip time.
My three questions have definitely been answered. And thanks for the advice on shelter crowds during that season!!! That's very important information.
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