4 days in GSMNP

[Sweeper]

Great report! The GSMNP is my next big section of the AT to complete....

Sweeper

[swampfox]

Excellent trip report! Those pictures were incredible!
Thank you for sharing with us.

[ikemouser]

Thanks, would you mind commenting on how crowded the area was? I am considering a smokies trip this year(probably late fall for more visibility).

[ikemouser]

Also, can you comment on stealthing, i would like to use campsites/avoid shelters/stealth if possible. I don't want to stay at shelters. Did you see very many places were stealthing could be done?

[SGT Rock]

I'm jealous.

[ikemouser]

Yea the origional plan was to come back along big creek and do some fly fishing that last day but the campsites along the creek were all closed b/c of bears and we had to amend. Mt. Sterling was very cool though just wish I could have had a clear morning to watch the sun come up. I went up the tower at 5:30 but couldn't see 100 yards in any direction.

Happy to share my trip I love reading others reports and it is a big help when I am planning a trip to an area and there is a trip report on here already posted. It makes trip planning much easier.

WHat you saw was worse pollution than LA. Recent studies have measure higher levels of air pollutants in the smokies than in LA. Combine that with the natrual blue haze, and you get sever limiting of visibility. One of the reasons i want to go in winter/late fall.

[Yosef]

WHat you saw was worse pollution than LA. Recent studies have measure higher levels of air pollutants in the smokies than in LA. Combine that with the natrual blue haze, and you get sever limiting of visibility. One of the reasons i want to go in winter/late fall.

Wow I had no idea.

[Yosef]

Also, can you comment on stealthing, i would like to use campsites/avoid shelters/stealth if possible. I don't want to stay at shelters. Did you see very many places were stealthing could be done?

It could be done but keep in mind I wasn't looking for stealth spots. Where I was there was lots of ridgeline hiking so there were not many spots to go to. On the third day of my hike I did notice there were places everywhere you could have gone and set up a hammock. Lots of underbrush along the at though.

[turtlelady]

Report and photos enjoyed. Thanks.

[Shug]

Terrific TR ..... loved the detail!
Those poles are quite handy ... I feel kinda naked without mine.
See you in the Gorge sometime.......
Shug