Smokies this Summer?

“I may be coming down to the Smokies this summer for a 4-day backpacking trip with my teenage son, and possibly a friend of his. It will have to be somewhere between mid-June and Labor Day.

Are there any TT trips planned there for this summer?

I know there are several of you who are very familiar with that park--HPM, TownDawg, NowSlimmer, prob. others...

Is that a horrible time of year to be there?

Any favorite 4-day loops you'd like to recommend?

If we end up doing this, would anyone like to join us?”

“I'm trying to get there next weekend 3-1 for a three day. Summer is too muggy & crowded there for enjoyable hiking and visibility is low. I do wintertime. I was there a few weeks ago and was cheated out of freezing by that darn pretty weather. LOL”

“Smokies that time of year, mid week hike much better weekends can be crowded. there are a number of loops that you can make in 4 days.
(865) 436-1200 GSMNP mimimal fee for a map you can then plan the loop you want backcountry camp sites and all.... 1st come 1st serve”

“The nearest ranger station to Fontana is Twentymile. From Twentymile you could do the Gregory Bald loop. I'd do that one in Late June/early July so you could see the Azaleas in bloom on the Bald.

The AT crosses Fontana Dam so you could go either way.

In the Smokies you could take the Lakeshore trail. It skirts the edge of the lake on the Smokies side. It's popular with horse packers but if you go before the summer season you most likely won't run into any of them.

Don't forget the the Nantahala National Forest is on the other side of the lake. Lots of good hiking there too."

It was posted by HPM. I like the Gregory Bald idea.”

“The Smokys?!?!?!
In the Summer?!?!?!

Your SICK!!”

“Fritz,

I've been wanting to do some hiking or backpacking in the Smokies for a long time now (ain't never been there, but I readed 'bout 'em and I seen lotsa them pikchers from there). But (as stated above) I also understand that it's crowded during that time of year. If you want to do a mid-week trip, I might be interested. Lemme know.”

“HPM did the Gregory bald trip in July and had no temp or humidity problems. 'Course, he's from Florida.”

“Hey Fritz, we have a bunch of the cheapie Smoky maps. Email us your snail address and we'll mail one to you.”

“I've been camping in the Smokies in June several times and was very comfortable. The key is to stick with the higher elevations.

There are plenty of good spots outside of the GSMNP which are less crowded. Falcon publishes a good book "Hiking North Carolina" with some good ideas.”

“Walkindude hates to break a sweat. hehehe”

“Please keep in the loop on this one I may take some extra time off of work do something you guys pick the dates and I will see what I can get my boss to say about it.”

“Thanks for the input, folks, yes I know that is not the best time of year. I am looking for a trip to go on with my son while he is off from school.

Guess maybe we oughta head north instead?

But neither of us has been to the smokies. We've both been to the Whites in NH.

Mebbe we should consider the Long Trail in VT instead?

I dunno. Still looking for ideas. Not ruling out GSMNP. A little sweat never hurt anyone. ;-)”

“Hanging out in GSMNP over Memorial Day weekend. Would be nice if you guys are part of that, even if you did different trails than us -- we can at least camp together?”

“Fritz, summer is crowded and the conditions are muggy at best. However, for those of us with school age children, this is the only time we can take them for an extended trip to the mountains. I try to make a trip every summer.

June and July are out for me, but if you have August in mind, I will probably be headed in that direction. Keep me posted.”

“Don't know for sure where you will end up Fritz.. but don't discount Virginia!

Some great AT hiking in there.. between the 'priest' area, and the Shenendoahs.”

“TD and chili, would love to meet you guys, not sure GSMNP this summer is going to be the best place/time to do that.

Talked with my son last night, we are now thinking more about either the Adirondacks or Baxter State Park in Maine (Katahdin!)

Prob. leaning toward Adk's because of travel time.

Another possibility...is that he might come with me to Montanapalooza! I am starting to think I may not be able to do both--MT for me, plus a week somewhere else with him. Two weeks away from the rest of my family, in one summer, would be a hard sell.

Too bad I can't pull down a couple of airline tix to MT for the same price ($171) I paid to go to the Florida ECT!”

“Fritz: heh.. I like your son.. and how he thinks.. you musta taught him how to think BIG.

:)”

“The Smokies too hot and humid in summer? Ya gotta be kidding me! Shure the lower elevations are warm but do like gearjunkie and other mentioned and go climb one those mountains.

Ok, Ok, yeah, I'm in Florida, if it's less than the upper 90's with 99% humidity I'm comfy.”

“HPM, etc.. ya.. the trick to the Smokies is to get AWAY.. you can gain some elevation and be 'nearly' by yourself.”

“Ha! In the summer the trick "to get away" in the Smokies is to stay low and hike in.

Try CS # 3, 4, 7, 14, 19, 32, 33, 35, 41, 48, 63, 67, 91, 92, 95,”

“18 is also a nice low site. the air quality is rough on top of the mountain in the summer. I would stay low. the heat is not a factor I dont thingk just find a nice campsite on the water(plenty of them) once you get the cheepy map you will find lots of good places. .on the other hand Va is also very nice. we love Thomas Knob on the AT and Grayson Highlands state park with the wild ponys.”