Rich Mountain now campsite 5, BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. I'm looking for any advice, reviews, insight on these particular sites. ;-), View from Rocky Top (looking SE I believe). They say Birch Springs Gap shelter is haunted. Soap, even biodegradable soap, may not be used in any water sources. See Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The maximum group size is eight persons, except at the following camp-sites where a party of twelve is permit-ted by reservation only: 17, 20, 46, 60, 86, and 90. accordingly, the water sources are springs, so a pump filter is in order. Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight. This is about 5 miles northbound from Fontana Dam. Hammocks may only be used within designated backcountry campsites. If you are hiking in the same general area, keep on the lookout. The ranger of course thought my bud was illegaly camping, but was friendly after seeing the permit. I wouldn't stay there this weekend, that's a big fear of mine in the Park----especially when the Park has become increasingly more busy with people-------leaving my stuff, Theft on the AT - 10/26 at Campsite 113 just north of Fontana in the GSMNP, https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthr...Murder-Suspect, https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/cor...a5a84b261.html, If this is your first visit, be sure to When we broke camp at 5am (to get to Shuckstack for sunrise, which was flipping awesome) we noticed all 4 of our food bags were gone from the bear cables. Heads up to all in the area. You may not cut any standing wood. © Ah well, hopefully this information helps the park find the culprit and keep others from having their food bag stolen on day 1 of their trips. Takeaway #2 – Super happy that we were on our last night of our trip, so we could finish out what we had planned. Old shelter sites include Birch Springs, which is now campsite Roaring Fork Smoky Mountains Tour by Open-Air Jeep, The Witch Tour: Appalachian Mountains Ghost Tour, Thundering Streams and Falls of the Smokies, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html, Access to Gregory Bald trailhead to be closed seven months, SUGGESTIONS PLEASE for a 10-day December stay in Gatlinburg. I guess I would expect this kind of thing to happen more often closer to a road. (use Thanks for sharing. Great people who can take a little ribbing in good stride and pretty uniformly helpful and friendly. Brad, you can really see the difference in the season between your picture and mine. Remove the water from the source and move away from the water source to wash. No dogs or other pets are allowed on any park trails except the. Canoe campsites on Fontana are Jenkins Ridge, I’ve watched the sun go down on Rocky Top too; it is a wonderful view. He thought it was the signal. Probably a homeless person, or somebody pilfering their way along the trail. For example, do not bathe in a river, lake, etc. campsite 46 (Indian Creek), Gregory Bald Trail – 4.1 miles from the Trailhead at Sams Gap on Parson Branch Road, 0.5 miles from Gregory Bald Summit. It just seems so odd. camp.gpx There also used to be two shelters at both I’ve never had an issue like you describe anywhere in the park though it seems there are reports every year of such thievery. backcountry camping Change ), Hiking the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Follow Hiking the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on WordPress.com.
You may not stay consecutive nights at campsite 113 or at any shelter. Fires are only allowed at designated campsites and shelters and must be contained in a fire ring. in mid to late June campsite 13 is very, very popular (and very, very worth it) due to the azaleas on Gregory Bald. It is a spring 300 yards or so down the trail, which is the headwater for Panther Creek, but due perhaps to wild hogs and also to horse traffic, it is typically a muddy mess and care must be taken to find an upstream place to gather your water needs and one should certainly treat all water. Sheep Pen Gap at 4,640 ft. is a marvelous place for a campsite. In 2012, campsite 11 was closed (storm damage). either I reported this to the GSMNP backcountry office this morning.
Not a big deal, because its just stuff.
Water: About 300 yds short of the campsite to the left of the trail. Posts about Campsite #113 written by Stick. Receive new Members-only content, gain access to 2,000+ articles in the archives, and become a part of the most passionate community of backpacking experts in the world. Heads up to all in the area. During warmer months, it is usually quite well used if not overused. All odorous items (e.g., food, trash, lip balm, toothpaste, stock feed, hay etc) must be hung on the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. Nice sunrise shots. We were finishing up a 5 day loop in the GSMNP. Using a tent at any shelter is prohibited. 78, Campsite #13 – Sheep Pen Gap Gregory Bald Trail – 4.1 miles from the Trailhead at Sams Gap on Parson Branch Road, 0.5 miles from Gregory Bald Summit. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. when are you planning for? This is about 5 miles northbound from Fontana Dam. Sheep Pen Gap at 4,640 ft. is a marvelous place for a campsite. ( Log Out / Capacity: 15 Rating: 7 Water: About 300 yds short of the campsite to the left of the trail. But it’s fun to tease them about wearing orange! in the I'm planning a five day backpacking trip for a group of 4 people.
You may only burn wood that is dead and already on the ground.
Related: What are the most popular tours in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? We had some nice views of NC to the South on Rocky Top last week, but the Tennessee side of the Stateline Ridge was impenetrable mist and clouds. Constructing new fire rings is prohibited. 66, Tricorner Knob and 6440'. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers over 800 miles of trails that can be explored on foot or by horseback. It is popular with the bears. camp.mxf, or Would have been a bummer to have to cut a trip short due to someone stealing our food. Squaters are an issue along much of the AT but I can’t imagine that being a problem in the park. I hope you guys have a great trip.
Something for everyone: Basic, Premium, and Unlimited Membership options available. Backcountry Campsite # 113. and not so near accordingly, the water sources are springs, so a pump filter is in order. campsite is three consecutive nights. If time allows late Friday or early Saturday morning, head south on the AT for 360-degree views at sunset or sunrise from the top of Shuckstack Fire Tower. The song’s writers never exactly identified what they were referring to. There is a town called Rocky Top in Tennessee, but it was named after the song. a lot of the Western high country in the Smokies is like that. Our last night of the trip was Monday 10/26 and we were staying at Backcountry Campsite 113 (Birch Springs Gap) on the AT. Stick's Blog.
it's been over a decade since I stayed at 10. Our last night of the trip was Monday 10/26 and we were staying at Backcountry Campsite 113 (Birch Springs Gap) on the AT. Sheep Pen Gap at 4,640 ft. is a marvelous place for a campsite.
route between 90 and 86 (see current trail map or the bald is a great place to catch the sunrise/sunset, of course. most of that ridgeline has a canopy of old, stunted and gnarly oak trees with a grassy understory... almost resembles a manicured city park but in a wilderness setting. So sorry that happened too you! Truly blessed to see such a clear magnificent display of stars and sunrise on Tuesday morning at Shuckstack.
Bears are plentiful in the region and the sheer traffic and density of great food smells from crowds of camper attract the hungry bruins, especially in the spring and early summer when their natural food supplies are still in the making. That is very helpful. What an amazing stretch of trail. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Takeaway #3 – Great views from High Rocks and Rocky Top. It’s like teasing your little brother who has somehow or other gotten close to being your BIG brother. it seems to indicate somebody who is familiar with the GSMNP as opposed to someone who was meandering along the trail and stumbled into some food. 81, both 13 and 113 are notorious for problem bears --my wife and I endured some harassment when we there a few years ago-- so you should be extra vigilant with your food, etcetera. If so, please send me a message. But it would be good to get it back. relocated campsite 21 (Huskey Gap), Trip reports, gear reviews, and anything else "Ultralight" backpacking ... March GSMNP Hike. Our last night of the trip was Monday 10/26 and we were staying at Backcountry Campsite 113 (Birch Springs Gap) on the AT. Can't wait! For details, please read our Front Page News post. EasyGPS) Instead of relying to a degree on the kindness of strangers they are lifting what they need as they go? Takeaway #1 – We have been backpacking in the GSMNP for 23+ years and have never had anything like this happen. Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers’ questions frequently. Hi Steve -- I've stayed at all but 14. both 13 and 113 are nestled in gaps along the ridgeline. Download the campsite waypoints for your GPS from I’m sorry that you experianced theft – I certainly hate a theif, but am surprised you had problems in that area (that wasn’t a bear – CS#113 is famous for them). 87, This was our view looking South. AWESOME! 73, A bud of mine got the crap scared out by a ranger while he was camping via a rare backcountry permit. Apparently they have had further reports of problems in the area. 72, Stealing from the bear lines at a very remote campsite quietly in the middle of the night at one of the few backcountry campsites where the lines aren’t right next to the tenting areas…. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. Or maybe it was Eric Rudolph. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. This is about 5 miles northbound from Fontana Dam.
More important that others be on the lookout. I'd avoid 113 during May due to AT thru hikers. Campsite #113, at Birch Spring Gap, is less than 1 mile north of the trail junction. It is large, grassy,… Knowing it's the busy season we are planning a Monday - Friday trip hoping to miss some of the crowds. Mine was taken in June. and those near the lake are Scott Gap now campsite 16. It takes a bit of gumption just to get to 113. A Basic, Premium, or Unlimited Membership is required to post in the forums.
Many campsites have been closed or relocated over the years. Look out Stecoah and Cheoah or depending on when this occurred they might be further along nearer Wayah? However, the thief made off with a blue DCF roll top zpacks food bag, a soto windmaster stove, 50′ of yellow bear bag line, an orange sea to summit spoon (which I love dearly), a white lexan spoon, a stainless steel mug, a green gsi infinity mug, some trail mix, 9 breakfast bars, and sundry toothbrushes, toothpaste, loose tea, instant coffee packets, fire starters, and drink mixes. Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight. for all backcountry campsite/shelters As of 2013, ALL backcountry campsites must be reserved and a fee is required. some closed, some new ones open.
A trail savvy homeless/vagabond seems to be the culprit to me. Subscribe here. Two parties affiliated with the same group may not stay in the same campsite or at the same shelter on the same night(s). We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Seen it happen while a couple hikers were recharging from a public bathroom or heard about it, to the point where a nogoodnik slit a tent open to steal a camera while the hikers were enjoying a public swimming hole w/vehicle access (Deep Creek in CA fwiw).