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Post by fiddler1 on Apr 24, 2019 9:22:02 GMT -8
Hi all, I’m looking for a 3-5 day backpacking trip in the Smokies in mid-June. My kids are 8 and 11, and we have done a bunch of trips out West, up to a week long. I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the options and plan to get a guidebook, but would appreciate a few ideas to start. Here’s what I’m looking for:
1. Keep cool – I used to live in Arkansas and remember those hot, sticky summers. So a campsite with a creek to splash in or higher elevation trails to cool off a bit would improve moods greatly.
2. Not too hard – About 3-4 miles and +1000 feet for uphill days, a little more is okay. A longer downhill day at the end is fine. The kids have done 8 miles, 3000 feet downhill in Colorado when needed, but I don’t want to push it quite that much for this trip.
3. Mostly avoid the really crowded trails – I don’t mind a few miles at the end on a crowded trail but any solitude we can find in such a popular park would be great. I plan to hike on weekdays.
4. Some combo of creeks to play in/views up high/wildflowers/big trees/meadows would hit the sweet spot.
Thanks in advance for your ideas!
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,659 
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 24, 2019 9:40:51 GMT -8
fiddler1, what you seek may be very difficult to find in the Smokies, but others here may have some good suggestions. Based on your criteria a good alternative would be Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwest Virginia. Several years ago I did a backpacking loop there which I think would fit your criteria for a 3 day trek, and if you start your hike at Grayson Highlands State Park the elevation gain is minimal. A quick internet search turned up this 14.2 mile loop, which starts a lower elevation but shouldn't be too much for your family. What's really special about Mount Rogers (highest point in Virginia) are the beautiful wild ponies and a display of flowering rhododendron in mid-late June that in my opinion puts the famous Roan Mountain Gardens to shame. And unlike the Smokies, most of the high country around Mount Rogers has wide open views. Wilburn Ridge is not to be missed if you go.
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Post by fiddler1 on Apr 24, 2019 9:59:34 GMT -8
Thanks, driftwoody! The pictures at that link look nice. Why do you think my wish list won't work in the Smokies? I could consider more mileage/elevation if that is the issue. The kids do get bigger every year, after all. I will also consider other hikes in the region like the one you suggested. Edited to tag driftwoody |
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Post by fiddler1 on Apr 24, 2019 10:43:10 GMT -8
I think 20 miles, 4-5 days, 2000-3000 foot climb would work for us.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,659
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 24, 2019 11:04:17 GMT -8
I think 20 miles, 4-5 days, 2000-3000 foot climb would work for us. With that criteria the Smokies may work, though I'm more familiar with other areas like Mount Rogers and the Shining Rock Wilderness. Might be difficult to avoid crowds in the Smokies at that time of year. |
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 24, 2019 13:23:05 GMT -8
if you want to avoid crowds---i would avoid shining rock as well....
nice place but tons of people go there.......its a fairly easy hike and that leads to amount of people...
plus you need a bear canister in shining rock....
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 24, 2019 13:41:08 GMT -8
also----for you first two criteria-----any of the creek trails---deep creek---forney creek---hazel creek (although you might need a shuttle)---noland creek would fit the bill...
plenty of nice campsites right near the creek and those are old roadbeds that slowly go up the mountain............they only really get steep near the end of their trails to get up on the ridges...
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Post by fiddler1 on Apr 24, 2019 15:04:01 GMT -8
kevinumberger, thanks, I will check out those creeks. Now you've got me thinking about a shuttle, which sounds like a pain to organize but could open up more possibilities.
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 24, 2019 16:34:51 GMT -8
Setting up a shuttle---both land and boat---is fairly easy....
To get to Hazel creek---most people take the boat shuttle over to save some miles..
Of course, one can always hike over there, but yes, a boat shuttle offers up a lot of possibilities...
And the boat shuttle is easy to set up by calling the Fontana marina...
They do shuttles all the time...
Hazel creek has a ton of history in it---and you can go exploring all of it....
So many possibities on that side of the park...
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Post by fiddler1 on Apr 24, 2019 18:55:25 GMT -8
Boat shuttle - that sounds like a lot of fun. I love the history aspect to these hikes. Thank you!
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Post by ashepabst on Apr 26, 2019 14:11:32 GMT -8
Boat shuttle - that sounds like a lot of fun. I love the history aspect to these hikes. Thank you! There are a few great campsites right on the lake, too, which opens up some fun swimming options: Eagle Creek, and the site at the end of Forney Creek come to mind |
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null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on Apr 27, 2019 17:13:54 GMT -8
the site at the end of Forney Creek come to mind Start at the Tunnel to Nowhere. Hike the Goldmine Loop to get to Lower Forney Creek Campsite #74 as mentioned by ashepabstNext day to Jonas Creek #70 Following day up to #68. Note that there is a flat grassy area that acts as a lower #68. The kids will prefer the upper #68 where there's a cascade. Final day up to Andrews Bald and eventually up to Clingman's Dome. |
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Post by hikingtiger on Apr 29, 2019 7:26:28 GMT -8
Might suggest that, if you do a shuttle, leave your car at the end point and get shuttled to the start point. That way there's no push to meet a shuttle if you're behind schedule, or a long wait if you're early, etc.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,659
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Post by driftwoody on Apr 29, 2019 9:50:01 GMT -8
Might suggest that, if you do a shuttle, leave your car at the end point and get shuttled to the start point. That way there's no push to meet a shuttle if you're behind schedule, or a long wait if you're early, etc. I always took that as a given, but it's worth mentioning. |
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Post by kevinumberger on Apr 29, 2019 11:36:48 GMT -8
Here's a possibilityStart at the Tunnel to Nowhere. Hike the Goldmine Loop to get to Lower Forney Creek Campsite #74 as mentioned by ashepabstNext day to Jonas Creek #70 Following day up to #68. Note that there is a flat grassy area that acts as a lower #68. The kids will prefer the upper #68 where there's a cascade. Final day up to Andrews Bald and eventually up to Clingman's Dome. this is a nice route... although i would do it downhill... and 68 with the waterfall is a very nice campsite......at least it was when i stayed there...... and there's a manway to see the old boiler after the campsite and before getting to forney ridge trail intersection... |
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