GSMNP Camping -- FunFunfun

“Howdy. I got folks talking to me already about this thing we are doing over Memorial Day at GSMNP. The obvious camping location for anyone would be Elkmont. I don't have my topo here at work today (I normally do!) -- so I am trying to visualize off the top of my head.

There are no campsites on any of the trails we are considering doing. Everything will be an 'in and out' -- and then find a place to camp that night. We are talking Fri/Sat/Sun -- and possibly Monday.

IceWater Spring is a thought, as is DblSprings or whichever the first one is on the other side. (Mt Collins is a dump from what I understand. I don't even like the approach trail.)

Those of us going will need water, and a privy/shower would be nice. I don't remember the rate for staying at Elkmont. It's a pain driving along that little curvy road from what I remember.

If you wanted to day hike a few days in GSMNP, and wanted to crash somewhere easy to get to, what would you suggest? I am tempted to just get a cheap hotel room!

But assuming I am carcamping -- which I know Prowler will.. (by the way, Skidder is coming he says!) .. Where should we make basecamp you guys?”

“How about that campground right below chimney tops or Smokemont?”

“Sugarlands is the one below chimney tops.. Smokemont is another good suggestion.. never camped there.. and would be easier for anyone coming in from the South..


Scott my boy, are you considering coming?”

“Just about 1 mile up the trail off of smokemont are some backcountry campsites, we have parked @ smokemont and hiked in and out to do day hikes throughout the park. you will have a privy but no shower @ smokemont, a good warmup mile to start the day, there is a cable system to hang packs, I advise you use it, we did have a visitor late night had a good time!!”

“Muttley? Any chance of you joining us some over that Memorial Day weekend?..

I have heard good things about Smokemont. Would be a first, but will check my map when I get home.

What's capacity at Smokemont?.. RVs too?.. or strictly tent camping?..

and I remember seeing several campsites fairly close to that area.. even Cabin Flats would not be THAT far. :)”

“That I am. That I am.”

“Smokemont has separate sections for tentcamping and RVs, thank god. If you want to stay there, you'd better call about reservations soon. There's also a drop dead gorgeous campsite 5 miles up the trail from Smokemont, called #49/ Cabin Flats. I highly recommend it. There's incredible fishing pools all along the river that you follow up as well. Rainbows and brown trout. Good swimming too!”

“TownDawg Its a thought, thanks for the invite, that is a weekend I have my kids, they got all BP equipment this year for christmas, it could be their first test, vacation time for me might pose a problem though. will give it serious thought, see what wife says. Campsite #50 1.1 mile from campground holds 15 hikers right on creek.”

“Let's continue to dialog about this.. Even if we don't walk the same trails, maintain the same itinerary, etc.. would be nice if we camped close.. so we could share how our day(s) went.

:)

Sherpa?.. Fantastic dude. So far I think it is me, Prowler, Skidder and you. Not too much interest from TrailTalk yet.. but will prolly get some folks from TTA who will be interested. Also trying to see if the Smoky Hiking Club wants to come along.”

“Yall have fun. I'm trying to get up there next weekend and all my pals are wimps. I'm starting arm twisting now”

“topos of http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/nphtml/gsmhome.html
scroll way down the page”

“Towndawg - i told you in hot springs to count me in on this. I am still planning on it. thought i would remind you.
Enjoyed hiking with you, and look forward to doing it again!

WOof!!”

“smokygirl: awesome!!.. after i almost killed ya?.. so kewl.. gEez.. EVERYone will want to come now..

:)”

“I wish I could.

:(”

“Come on down, Hoosier!!
It's only about 6 hours or less, isn't it??

you didn't kill me, dawg, I should have drank more water. Maybe those platypuses are handy - i hate to break rhythm to get bottled water.. I hate it that I didn't go on, but lawd, i really did feel terrible.. It breaks my hiker pride to bail out on plans. :(”

“TD, not sure if I'm doing the LeConte thing.

In a nutshell I'm not sure how much backpacking I'll be able to do after that date. So iffin I'ma gonna hike, I'd rather be sleeping in the backcountry.

Most likely Madman, Madkid and I will do a loop trip out towards Big Creek on MD weekend. Nothing in stone yet though. Whatever my final plans are I'll post 'em.”

“yup, I wish the crazy dude would come down to our neck of the woods!”

“Less than 6 hours!?!? C'mon Crazy Mike! You can do that easy.”

“6 hours more like 9 or 10!I will I may have a change of plans on one of my 3 day weekends.I feel bad becuase you guys sound like kick a@@ people and I very much want to meet you all.

I hope alot of you are going on th Montana trip becuase I am I already turned my Vacation form in at work for it.”

“ya if he stops in cincy to cach a ride with me , I could slim it down to 4 1/2-5 hrs.”

“comon DUDE!!

just once 1”

“That sounds like a plan.When are you guys going I could go nuts and drive down for just a weekend.

I am that crazy.”

“GOOD lets do it!

this trip is going to be sweet!

hiking all 5 aproach trails to Mnt. Loconte!”

“Wow! Where are my boots? It's time to get organized and packed. Let's see:
..backpack ready
....foodpack
......request time off from work
........get some trip money .... whoops
back to the drawing board.”

“When is it I need to know that?”

“Ok I see ya I will do it it's a 3 dayer and I will have a short drive home count me in I will change the NWIHBC 2002 trip list for it.”

“Come on down to Tennessee-see, ya lil freakies!!

Towndawg - even though y'all might hike from Elkmont, I might find a way to go from Porter's Creek (Greenbrier) and meet at Charlie's Bunion somewhere? weren't we talkin about that?
I have to look over your itenary to see what day you are doing what in case I want to fit that in.”

“I am so there.Prowler I will ride with you.I will leave Friday right after work and come stright to your house send me when the time come directions to your house vie email.

This is a done deal right?Becuase I am going to change the clubs 2002 trip planner.”

“Memorial Day weekend!

Weeeeeeee!!!!!”

“Nowslimmer! You comin?”

“I have made the change to the clubs 2002 trips.I have out the GSMNP trip up for May 25-27.

I can't wait.....:)”

“Awesome!! See you there!!

maybe I should bring some steaks or somethin? Towndawg, let's coordinate this when the time comes! I been talking steak for some time!!

I am gittin offline here for the night. Y'all have a nice evening!!

Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!”

“crazy mike, dont forget your off work momnday for memorial day!! three day weekend!!”

“Ya I know......:)”

“Just some thoughts:

a cheap motel on MD weekend! good luck. However, you might find one for about $35 per night.

The "new Wonderland Motel (or Hotel)" in Wear's Valley just outside the park would be a nice treat for the wives.

Elkmont is probably the best CG for this adventure, but you might consider a private CG. I would suggest checking on highway 321 out of Gatlinburg going east toward Cosby. Next, you could check near Pigeon Forge.

If you have enough hikers, you might split into two groups. The groups could start at the opposite ends of each day's hike and exchange car keys along the trail.

If you have enough vehicles, you might position all the three days' end vehicles at one time, and retrieve all the morning start vehicles the last day after all the hiking is finished.

Smokygirl -Sorry, I only can make this trip in my dreams. As of now I plan to be in the area during some of Aug. and from late Aug. to Oct. 31st.”

“I finally got a chance to read this.. oh my gosh.. sounds like a HUGE party already..

Prowler, and Sherpa, and SmokyGirl, and CrazyMike, and TownDawg, and Skidder -- and it is still a few months away?..

STEAKS. I will cook steaks and baked potato. One night. Count on it.”

“SmokyGirl (who has agreed to pose topless), and free STEAK dinner.

NOW who's going?”