Great Smoky Mountains Fallapalooza

OVERVIEW

The day has really come, we are doing a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. This trip will take the entirety of fall break and will be capped at 6 people (thats the max I could get a permit for 🙁 )

In case you didn’t know, fall break is (officially) Saturday, October 6 – Tuesday, October 9. We will leave Friday, October 5th

The Great Smoky Mountains are one of my favorite places on earth. They are tall, slightly rugged, and a heck of a lot of fun to hike!

We will be hitting some of the coolest, most beautiful places in the park. Most trails we are doing are ~11 miles with beautiful overlooks of the park.

~~ Some Logistics ~~
– I need a driver! You will get reimbursed up to $150, which I doubt we go over, PLUS $20 tip!

How will meals work?
– We will make shopping runs to local stores and you can buy supplies there. If people want, they can go in together and buy larger portions of food for dinners and such.
– It is not recommended that you bring BULK food with you before the trip, this will take up valuable space. I would recommend you buy a backpacking dinner before hand.
– I will be bringing a backpacking stove and larger stove from the club. I will also have some basic pots and pans.

Tents:
– I am going to get some four person tents / some smaller tents from the club (there is another backpacking trip going out).
– You are welcome to bring your own tent if you want, but you won’t need it for backpacking, it will only be used in a campground.

~~ Your daily dose of deets ~~

Friday, October 5th:
– Leave UVA at 10AM Friday, October 5th and peace/jam out
– Arrive in GSM ~5hr 26min 69sec later
– Hit up Clingmans Dome, the tallest spot in the park and has 360 degree views!
– Explore the city of Gatlinburg and stock up for the weekend
– Camp at Elkmont Campground

Saturday, October 6th:
– Day hike Mt. Cammerer (http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/cammerer.htm)
– Explore the southern end of the park
– Camp at Elkmont Campground

Sunday, October 7th:
– Hike Mount LeConte!!! (http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/lecontealum.htm)
– Eat the best homemade cookies of your life from the Lodge
– Sleep overnight in the shelter at the top!

Monday, October 8th:
– Finish Mount LeConte, finish before noon
– Slip into Grotto Falls (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/grotto-falls-trail?ref=result-card)
– Maybe more local exploring
– Camp at Elkmont Campground

Tuesday, October 9th:
– Say goodbye to GSM early in the morning and drive back to UVA
– Stop at a Chic Fil A because what good road trip doesn’t end without it

~~ Packing List ~~

– GOOD Shoes
– headlamp
– sleeping bag
– sleeping pad
– clothes
– BACKPACKING backpack
– Day pack
– 2L of water capacity (MIN)

If you would like a more detailed list of things to bring/what I am packing, please checkout this list I made: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e1y3UYpp7zfNLG49uhT_ip89usKG4pjKR4h5JxOeJzk/edit?usp=sharing