Smokey Mountains June

[John “Jay” Menna]

Im thinking of this loop in mid June

https://caltopo.com/m/9007

I have never hiked east of the Mississippi.

What changes would you suggest?  What advice can you give me?  What don’t I know?

 

[Ben C]

John, that’s a perfectly acceptable route.  I have walked most of that.  It’s fairly typical Smokies hiking but misses what I would consider any of the highlights of the Smokies.  Andrews Bald is juist off your route and would be worth seeing if you do this route.

To me, the highlights of the western side of the park are Shuckstack, Rocky Top and Thunderhead.  Fontana Dam is pretty cool too.

I find the eastern side of the park more interesting.  There are several fine routes out of Big Creek near I-40 that I would recommend more highly.  Eastern-side highlights, to me, are Mt. Leconte, Charlie’s Bunion, Albright Grove, Gunter Falls, Mt. Sterling, Mt Cammerer.

You can put together a really nice loop starting at Big Creek, going up Mt Sterling, Gunter falls, Mt. Cammerer, and maybe even more.

[John “Jay” Menna]

John: How

How about his:   https://caltopo.com/m/SRJK

-Jay

[John “Jay” Menna]

How about this:  https://caltopo.com/m/SRJK

[Ben C]

Looks like a fine loop.  A couple of things I would consider: 1) walking through Albright Grove; 2) visiting Mt. Cammerer.

Albright Grove is a grove of old growth trees that are rare in the east.  Its mostly old poplars with a few old maples mixed in.  You could re-route or just do a little out and back spur if you want to visit it.

Mt Cammerer is an old stone octagonal fire tower on a spectacular view.  Views are rare in the Smokies and this is a good one.  Again, you could re-route or simply do an out and back spur.

Looks like you are in line to see Gunter Falls.  Don’t miss the nearby Gunter Branch Cascades.

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