May GSMNP Weather-Specific Gear

May 22, 2016 it was 20° with a mix of snow and freezing rain with heavy wind. I was in a shelter behind a tarp  not in my tent. 10° quilt and bivy with all my clothes on. I was warm enough but others not so much! So it can get nasty in May.

My experiences in the Smokies are limited to a total of 5 quick overnight hikes starting in April of this year, through November (hoping to go next week too to finish up my last section of the AT in the park).  I used my 40 degree down quilt for each of those hikes, except the last one in November when it was in the twenties.  One trip in May, it rained pretty hard and my camera got damaged by the water.  But, I was fine for the night under my Solomid.  Of course, if you’re out there for multiple days, moisture will be a bigger deal.  It’s probably hard to say what exactly you’ll need until you’re closer to your trip and can get a weather report.  30F quilt might be a decent compromise- you can pair it with some layers if needed.  Very good chance you’ll run into some rain, so actual rain gear might be a better choice vs. just a windshirt.

I should add that my quilt was down not synthetic. I had no problems with it. I also had a down puffy as a stop piece and a 100 wt. Fleece as a go piece over a lightweight capilene l/s or as midlayer under rain jacket. Hard to know what the weather will be like, but I always expect rain in the Smokies.

It depends…rain is always possible in GSMNP…I’ve used tarptents, tarps and I would use a Gatewood with a bivy. I would also use the shelters where available. I do like an umbrella up there, for hiking and around camp.

I’ve used down and synthetic…depends on your skill level at stayng dry. I like a 20 degree quilt and insulative layers at elevation that time if year. It really can be a mixed bag. BJC ain’t lyin!

Happy Trails – Russ

Assume rain, heavy thunderstorms, possibly snow above 4500 feet. Designated campsites have some forested protection. Get your campsite permits ASAP. May is when the park gets really busy!

As to shelter, your skill in site selection, setup, etc are more important that selection of shelter.  With skill, most any shelter can work in the Smokies.  The biggest challenge in May will be regular rain and misty fog, which will enter any shelter. If you’re walking the AT, you’ll likely be in an AT shelter regardless.

I like a 20 degree quilt for those conditions.  I always use a down quilt.  Condensation in the misty fog can be a bit of a challenge though.  With a 20 degree quilt and a little care and skill, you should be fine.

Enjoy it. When the sun shines in the Smokies in April/May, it is wonderful.

Hi Jordan, welcome to BPL. Will you be hiking the AT or other trails.

Thank you Lee. This is the trail: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7030661/deep-creek-to-newtons-bald-loop

4-5 days.

No downside to taking that 20-degree quilt. Down will serve you well, more warmth and lighter weight than the synthetics and long as you don’t let it get wet externally there should be no decrease from the humidity, fog or your body, on this type of trip. I would bring a jacket for warmth it can be a puffy or fleece with a good rain jacket, you’re fairly exposed on your loop and the chance to dry out it’s very limited if you do catch rain or  Frozen precipitation. You have a high percentage of having moderate temperatures at that time of year and those elevations. And up to a few days before you leave for your trip you should have a fairly accurate weather forecast to make Minor adjustments if needed.

Hope you have a great trip. Give us a trip report when you’re done. I’ve done a few trails out of deep Creek up to the AT and created some loops, always enjoyable!

Point well taken- down is safe if protected, but if it is wet one shouldn’t count on drying it. I was considering a poncho- quilt as on paper this is the cheapest way to lose the most weight from my 15.25oz REI Magma 850 puffy and my 43oz Kelty Ignite 16 bag. Should I do a synthetic poncho-quilt? It seems like moisture would be a concern for such a thing even not in the GSMNP. Conversely, the Sierra Sniveller is $230 or less secondhand. Easier to swallow on my grad-school budget, but is it smart?

Would it be stupid to have a down poncho-quilt in this setting? How about a synthetic one?

I also have a Sierra Sniveller. I probably wouldn’t take it at that time of year and not having shelters available. A poncho quilt can work pretty decent when you’re finished  hikingf the evening, before you get in your bag with overhead protection like a shelter and with rain gear available. A synthetic quilt wouldn’t serve any better if you needed it to stay warm while making camp or fixing supper if it’s raining.

What insulation would be recommended in that context?

Sorry for the long delay, I have actually been in the Smokies though did the lower lake trail and some of the BMT. the down’s still the way to go. My point was take a jacket for your warmth when you’re not in your bag, that way your bag stays totally protected. a poncho quilt, works great in drier environments. it wouldn’t be my first second or third choice for warmth on the trip you’re planning that time of year.

be sure you can keep your core warm and bag dry. Adjust for temps with an accurate forecast. An umbrella is a great accessory. For the spot forecast pick a medium spot like Sunkota Ridge at @ 4200 feet. It’ll be warmer along Deep Creek and a little cooler up on Newton un-bald. 3.3 degrees per 1000 feet on a rainy day? You’re not going to be that exposed to possible freak cold snaps on that east/south side of the main ridgeline in May but there’ll almost certainly be rain. Condensation won’t be a critical issue. Keep the bag dry from external moisture, from precipitation. You might consider a small like 8×10 cuben tarp for a cooking/camp fly or a shelter/porch or shelter for pitching/packing up. Very light weight.  home-made cuben-dyneema tarp

Also Frogg toggs ultralite2 set is @ $15.00 on Amazon. Small umbrella @ $10. If the shelter doesn’t have a bathtub floor and you get a forecast with potential significant rain consider some sort of bag/bivy to keep the bag dry from the bottom and no worries about getting swamped. Of course a hammock with a rainfly avoids that issue but that’s a major shift in gear directions.

Some of the very prettiest days are rainy days. A rainy day in the Smokies in May with the whole place coming back to the most rich, intense life. Perfect.

Also bonus extra: Thomas Divide/Thomas Ridge is named for William Holland Thomas or “Little Will”  Read More here: http://Thomas’ Legion

Or better yet read this book; a fictionalized account of his life set right around where you’ll be hiking: Thirteen Moons

And get some historical/cultural texture to your adventure. Plus it’s a very good read by a great writer. Not quite Cormac McCarthy but close enough; or maybe better than close enough in this exact context.  hmmmm