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Great Smoky Mountains, NC

Apr 8 - Apr 15, 2018 -- $1325 ★★, Only 2 Spots Left

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the country, but despite its popularity and proximity to major population centers, our trek will provide plenty of solitude from the crowds and access to one of the most beautiful displays of wildflowers you can find in the lower 48. Spring is a great time to be in the Smokies just as flowers begin to bloom, trees start to leaf out, and weather becomes temperate.


The park is an amazing wilderness with an abundance of wildlife featuring deer, elk, wild boar, black bears and even red wolves. This trip has most everything you could want in a trek: wildflowers, virgin forest, vistas, wildlife and preserved pioneer dwellings. We will walk you through the picturesque and secluded Cataloochee Valley where elk were reintroduced in 2001, and our itinerary is designed to maximize the chance of encountering these majestic animals.


Even if you have been on one of our other Fitpacking itineraries through the Smokies before, you will want to join us again for this route that promises to be awe inspiring (as well as all-perspiring). This trip will take you through virgin forests, clear streams teeming with wild trout, the preserved homes of the former Cataloochee community, high elevation spruce-fir forests, an old fire tower and expansive meadows where elk and turkeys forage. Your guides have spent many years exploring the Smokies and will be ready to help you identify the flowers and wildlife that abounds here and even provide a story or two about the people who once called this isolated valley home.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 70s and 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s and 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with an occasional chance of rainfall and on rare occasion, snowfall. Here is the historical May weather Be prepared for cold temps at high elevation (we had snow one year) as well as warm sunny weather or rain.



Trip Leaders

Bruce Cannon
Holly Chambers


Cost

$1325 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Asheville Airport (AVL), as well as personal equipment restaurant meals and gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week (probably none, but they sometimes charge for this).


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from Asheville and the National Park, park permits, insurance, satellite phone and awesome guides.



Note

Our route crosses creeks and streams several times. There are no bridges. Be prepared to wear water shoes and use trekking poles to walk through almost knee-deep water in order to cross these waterways.


While all Fitpacking trips are difficult, this one might be considered somewhat less strenuous than others because of fewer and more gradual elevation changes and solid footing, even if mileages are a little longer.


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Itinerary
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Guides for this trip
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Important Note
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Itinerary


Sunday, April 8, 2018

Drive or fly into Asheville Airport (AVL). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

Call or text us and we will pick you up and take you to Comfort Inn Asheville Airport, 15 Rockwood Rd, Fletcher, NC, 28732, 828-687-9199

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

Go to Diamond Brand Outdoor Shop, 2623 Hendersonville Rd. • Arden, NC 28704 • 800-459-6262 • info@diamondbrand.com for last minute equipment if necessary

"Before" measurements taken

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)



Monday, April 9, 2018

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Go out for a group breakfast (not included in trip cost). It's possible we will stay in a hotel that has free breakfast

Shuttle to Cataloochie Ranger Station, elevation 2610'

Begin the hike just past the Cataloochee Campground at the Big Fork Ridge Trailhead, elevation 2600'

Hike 3.2 miles on the Big Fork Ridge trail to the Caldwell Fork Trail

Hike 1.6 miles on the Caldwell Fork Trail to Campsite 41

Camp at Campsite #41, elevation 3360'

Miles today: 4.8. Total miles: 4.8

Possible bailout: Cataloochie Ranger Station


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Gently climb 1.5 miles on the Caldwell Fork Trail past three giant and historic poplar trees to junction with the Rough Fork Trail.

Descend 2.9 miles on the Rough Fork Trail past campsite #40 to the Park Road

Hike 0.8 miles on the road past the preserved Steven Woody house to Cataloochee Valley for elk watching

Hike 0.8 miles on the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail to the intersection of the Little Cataloochie Trail

Hike 0.8 miles on the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail to the intersection of the Palmer Creek Trail

Hike 0.4 miles on the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail to Campsite 39.

Camp at Campsite 39, elevation 3040’

Miles today: 7.2. Total miles: 12.0

Possible bailout: Cataloochie Valley


Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Hike 3.6 uphill miles on the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail to Pretty Hollow Gap.

Hike 1.4 uphill miles on the Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail to the Baxter Creek Trail.

Hike 0.5 miles on the Baxter Creek Trail to the Campsite 38, Mt. Sterling.

Camp at Campsite 38, Mt. Sterling, elevation 5820'

Miles today: 5.5. Total miles: 17.5

Possible bailout: Cataloochie.


Thursday, April 12, 2018

Climb 0.2 miles on the Balsam Mountain Trail to the junction with Mount Sterling Ridge Trail

Hike 1.9 downhill miles back to Pretty Hollow Gap

Hike 4.0 miles down the Swallow Fork Trail to Campsite 37

Camp at Campsite 37, elevation 3,000’

Miles today: 6.1. Total miles: 23.6

Possible bailout: Cosby Ranger Station (far away)


Friday, April 13, 2018

Hike 4.0 miles on the Swallow Fork Trail to the Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail

Descend steadily for 3.6 miles on the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail to camp site #39

Set up camp at campsite 39, elevation 3040'

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 30.9

Possible bailout: Cataloochie Valley


Saturday, April 14, 2018

Hike down the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail 2.2 miles to the Cataloochee Valley and the Palmer Chapel, elevation 2700'

End of hiking portion of trip

Possible bailout: Cataloochie Valley

Miles today: 2.2. Total miles: 33.1

Shuttle back to Comfort Inn Asheville Airport, 15 Rockwood Rd, Fletcher, NC, 28732, 828-687-9199

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, April 15, 2018

Guides will drop you at the airport


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