I was hoping the brain trust here on this fine forum might help me find a decent 5-day (30-50 mile) loop in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). I'll be going with 2 un-believers (each with a one-man tent, if that matters) October 18-22.
I'd like to use my hammock and avoid as much of the crowds as possible, which I believe means limiting stays in the Shelters and miles on the AT. I read through several of the trip reports on HF and JustJeff's fantastic report on
To the Woods as well as some of the various websites dedicated to the Smoky Mountains. As most of the reports I've read are more 1-day loops and JJ's was a one-way epic journey, they weren't quite the template I was hoping to find.
I'll be heading to the Library/book store to find a good book on the GSMNP. So, if anyone has any recommendations for that as well, I'd appreciate it.
As for sleeping gear I'll be using a 3-Season Crowsnest UQ and I just ordered a 3-Season Burrow TQ (Stormcrow makes fantastic gear!). I assume that this should be adequate for mid-October, no?
This is the first trip where I'm the lead planner so any additional advice you might have regarding the Smokys would be helpful.
Thanks, fellas! – Craig
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