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GSMNP Big Creek CS37
Anyone have any experience hammock camping at CS37 on Big Creek Trail in NE Smokies? We are planning on going to try to see the fireflies the first few days of June. Elkmont is the popular firefly destination but there are apparently other prime areas as well. We were thinking about hiking down the Big Creek Trail and camping at 37. I'm looking for condition and difficulty of the trail and hammock accommodations at the site and bear activity. According to my readings they do have bear cables. Any insight would be appreciated.
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you shouldn't have any problem hanging your hammock there. That is a huge campsite that can hold up to 20 people
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+1 on what Ewker said. Good hanging spot. CS 36 & 37 almost always have some bear activity, but nothing that I've heard of yet this spring. CS 26 is the only one that mentions any bear activity at this time.
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Some more info
I've never stayed at that site myself so I can't speak to the availability of trees to hang from, but that campsite sits at about 3000 feet according to my map. The Wikipedia article below says the fireflies congregate at around 2000 feet. You may be too high up to see them in great numbers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinus_carolinus
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I live on the edge of the park at 3600' near Waynesville. I have not seen any fireflies YET.
That is a great camp spot. But, it gets closed by rangers a lot for bear activity. Nice trail up along Big Creek. Good swimming holes if you dare the cold water.
Ken in NC
