AT/smoky area trip idea needed for 7/4

“Right now me and Miss Opie are looking at doing a Loop of Standing Indian Basin, NC. But does anyone else have any other ideas of us getting a lil more "north" than usual for us, and finding a nice loop trip. We are thinking of the TN, KY, VA, NC area to maybe get some elevation and lose some of this heat.
Something along the AT isn't a must..but might be neat.
any good recommendations in the

Nantahala, GSMNP, Daniel Boone NF, Pisgah NF, Cherokee NF, and maybe Mount Rogers Rec area.

20+ something miles, no killer climbs, not too crowded. thanks in advance for any suggestions.”

“Hey OPIE, my wife and I will be car camping in the Smokies that weekend. Two weekends ago we backpacked Roan Mountain. If you haven't been to Roan then you might want to give it a try. No loops, but an out and back there is still fun. Email for more info. I've done that stretch twice and know of several great campsites.

I did Roan last August and it never got over 70*. The rhododendrun will be a little past peak.

The Smokies will be packed, but you can easily get high enough to miss the heat and miss the crowds.”

“Getting high enough to miss the heat and crowds in the smokies is easy enough on the 4th.

Getting to the #&%!$ing trailhead through all the traffic is the part that will test your nerves.”

“Skydive!”

“I agree with Chili !!”

“I am thinking about driving up on July 4th myself. I know the camp grounds I want to go to are on 1st come 1st serve bases and I wonder if I even have a chance at getting a space.
Just wondering how any folks go to the Gatlinburg/Smokies over the July 4th weekend. And getting through all that dang construction in Knoxville is a pain.”

“July 4th weekend is crazy up there. Just about everything books up quick.

Last time I was there that weekend I came up early (like Wednesday) and made sure that on the 4th I was as far from a trailhead as I could get. Turned out pretty nice but when I got off the trail on that Sunday I had to go almost to Asheville before I could find a place to stay the night.”

“where is all the traffic heading?”

“Hey opie you might try the Cumberland Mtns. they might not be as crowded. Virgin Falls is a good suggestion as it now joins Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness to make a loop. Also I just hiked Frozen Head on Good Friday and there are several possible loop hikes there. If you are interested I can give you more info.”

“Opie, from stop to stop.

Every turn out bay will be full.”

“About 7 miles from the trailhead at Roan there is a place that is about half as big as a football field and perfectly flat. It's above 5000'. It is bald in every direction. The balds there are about 1/2mile wide by as much as 2 miles long. It's great!

Listen to the voice... "Go to Roan, go to Roan" Also, you can drive about 1 hr into Boone, which is a hippie town. Plenty of places to eat and drink.”

“How much fun Hwy 66 will be Sevierville & I40 or traffic down in Cherokee... *shudder*”

“If you want to wait a week check out this thread.”

“this is not what I need to hear....grrrr”

“anyone familiar with the section of the AT that starts at I-40 and Waterville and goes North. A couple of weeks ago when I gave Stove and his nephew a ride back to their car we saw the steps going up to the AT. Just wondering if anyone has any info on it.”