jcfreak4life's GSMNP trip

“jcfreak4life wants to come to TN and hike the GSMNP (all 900 miles of it.. *giggle*.. ).. but seriously.. she asked for my advice for a nice week or so.. so I emailed her back with the following:

Depending on where you go, and how typical weather is, March can still be a cold, wet month. Again, my thing is elevation climbs, so I look for a day of hiking up, do enough on 'the ridge' to remember how great it feels, and then find time to get back down to where my car is.

My best advice for a hike in TN in March would be in GSMNP. A lot of folks like going in at Cosby, but I enjoy Elkmont myself, with 'the cades' right in at a distant third. You CAN drive right up the Newfound Gap -- if the road isn't closed -- a do great three-four days hikes in either direction.

To the north, but I think of it as east is IceWater Spring, followed by 'the bunion' and finally Boulevard. Some folks go to LeConte, others continue east -- but it's a pretty long haul to Pecks.

If you choose Pecks, then you got two days in front of you. If you want out in one day, you better make the left on the Boulevard toward LeConte, or drop down into ANOTHER two day hike down past Kephart.

To the south, aka west, is 'approach trails' breaking off left, and to your right (somewhat randomly) until you get to Clingmans, followed by more 'approach trails' as you make your way down to Spence. Somewhere around Spence you need to make a similar decision - Some folks go to 'the cades', others continue west -- but it's a pretty long haul to Shuckstack -- and you have to go over Thunderhead to get there.

If you choose Shuckstack, then you got two days in front of you. If you want out in one day, you better make a right back into 'the cades' or (you don't have a clearcut option here).

(How long do you want me to make this?).. *giggle*”

“We'll be out in that area in late January, per usual. Maybe MLK weekend, having a hard time getting schedules and reservations made this year, I think some are getting old and ornery, not me of course, cough..cough. I would be up for another in March, drop a line, very damp month up there, supplex and goretex”

“How strong is she? And do her boots need breaking in? For starting I like 1 or 2 day trips to check out and make sure that I have all the things that are needed.

For a week, the first week, here are some of my picks:

CS #1 > 2 > 11 > 3 > 11 > 17 > out. Note: Two creeks come together at CS #3 and make a beautiful setting.

CS #60 > 59 > 54 > 53 > 55 > 59 > out.

CS #65 > 64 > 62 > 62 (day hike to Noland Divide) > 64 > out. Note: Creek crossing each side of 62.

CS #35 > Davenport Gap Sh. > Mtn. Mama's bunkhouse > 37 > Cosby Knob Sh. > out.

If she is just starting this stuff, I recommend caution. I have seen both teenagers and adults suffering from exhaustion. It's not good to temp the fates. She might adjust one of the above hikes to 4 days and complete the trip with an overnight to Icewater Spring Sh. If she is capable, she could hike to Charlies Bunion from the shelter during the afternoon”