Smokies Weekend Hike

[Peg-Leg]

A friend and I did a short hike through the Smokies a couple weeks ago. We started at Clingmans Dome, hiked to Siler's Bald night one, then to CS 26 on the Miry Ridge Trail for night two. Ended up at Elkmont and back to the truck on day 3.

My Gear: Backwoods Daydreamer winter tarp, WB double layer 1.1 BB, DIY TQ, and zero degree full length UQ from Hammock Gear.

Friends Gear: Speer winter tarp, WB double layer 1.1 BB, Down sleeping bag for TQ, 3/4 20 degree UQ from Hammock Gear.

Sleep warm-to-hot both nights despite temps in the low 30's, 20 plus mph winds night one which were non-stop, and rain both nights. The trail was beautiful with golden toned leaves. Night one at Silers we enjoyed ribeye steaks I had frozen and vacuum sealed to pack in. We ate steamed baked blueberry muffins and a ham biscuit on the first morning cooked in my GSI soloiet mug using the Bongo Pro 2. Dinner night 2 was a roaring campfire pizza from Packit gourmet cooked in a bake packer on the MSR pocket rocket. The pizza was incredible! We saw lots of folks on the trail including a family with two young girls, ages 7 and 9. Their dad decided a 30 mile hike in the rain would be a great first trip. Not sure I agree with his thought process. We were the only hangers all weekend and found good spots in both sites. The wind night one was quite a challenge as you see in my video below. The last video was shot from the BB during the rain on night 2. It was so awesome to lay back and watch my gear work.

All in all it was a great trip.

[dragon360]

Sounds like a blast and some really good eating! A little envious of everyone getting out into the pines!

[TallPaul]

This is being saved to my "trip ideas" folder.

And I might have to hire you guys to be trailside gourmet chef's. Looked like you enjoyed some fine cuisine.

[PackBacker]

I love the smokies!

[Peg-Leg]

This is being saved to my "trip ideas" folder.

And I might have to hire you guys to be trailside gourmet chef's. Looked like you enjoyed some fine cuisine.

It's a great route. Only about 18 miles and mostly all down hill. Allows you to keep you head up and enjoy the scenery rather than up hill head down death march. We used a shuttle, $45 per person.

I love the smokies!

I totally agree!

[born2roam]

That is the first trip I saw pizza as a backpacking meal!

Thanks for sharing and getting me hungry....

Grtz Johan

[Black Foot]

Looks like a great trip! I did the AT through the Smokies in the spring and reaaly enjoyed it - especially the parts North of Newfound Gap.

[Les Rust]

Thanks for the trip report. I was up at CS 26 a while back but the spring was dry--mud in the area but no water. Luckily I had filled up while coming up Panther Creek--had enough to cook supper and get me through till the next morning. I was surprised since we'd been having fairly consistent rains for the past few months. Live and learn. Glad you got out there and enjoyed it.

[vagatude]

Great report, thanks! One question: what do you mean about using a shuttle for $45?

[Peg-Leg]

Great report, thanks! One question: what do you mean about using a shuttle for $45?

We left our truck at Elkmont and paid a fellow $45 each to drop us off at Clingmans Dome. I found his shuttle service info on Whiteblaze.