View Full Version : Hammock Hiking in GSMNP
Looking at going a hike in Great Smokie National Park do I understand correctly that you have to stay in a hut while in the park? If so that kind stinks if you are a hammocker, you have to sleep on a pad with the ground dwelling folk. If this is the case would you just leave the hammock at home if you are staying in the park?
southmark
01-11-2009, 21:05
Go to this link for all the info on backcountry camping in the park. Shelter stay is basically required only on the AT through the park.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm
Only along the A.T. But you must stay at designated camp site anywhere else. Look at the park web site and it will explain it for you,
Cannibal
01-12-2009, 11:00
Only along the A.T. But you must stay at designated camp site anywhere else. Look at the park web site and it will explain it for you,
True! What's more is the 'designated' sites are usually fantastic everywhere off the AT that I've seen. Usually near a stream/river/creek with lots of good hanging spots. I don't think I'll ever hike the AT section of the Smokies again, the blue trails are too good in that park.
But, stealth hanging is not hard in the Smokies. You don't have to get all that far off the trail to do it; good cover. Just be sure to make a stick arrow pointing the way back to the trail, not that I've ever gotten lost or anything in the morning. :D
True! What's more is the 'designated' sites are usually fantastic everywhere off the AT that I've seen. Usually near a stream/river/creek with lots of good hanging spots. I don't think I'll ever hike the AT section of the Smokies again, the blue trails are too good in that park.
But, stealth hanging is not hard in the Smokies. You don't have to get all that far off the trail to do it; good cover. Just be sure to make a stick arrow pointing the way back to the trail, not that I've ever gotten lost or anything in the morning. :D
Me neither!
1 backcountry ranger and one metermaid, I mean ridgerunner for the whole park. Wouldn't be concerned. Then again I stealthed there in July and hung next to a shelter, hung our food in the shelter when I went through in December, but wouldn't recommend it in the warmer months. It was too cold not to eat from your sleeping bag.
Good feedback on the blues. If I want to do the AT on that park do I just have to suck it up and stay in a shelter? Can I hang if the shelter is full? What is full? Does each shelter have a stated capacity?
Cannibal
01-12-2009, 11:23
Yep, a full shelter is a green light for hanging. If you're there in late spring or summer, they'll probably fill up quickly. Early spring is another matter, I only saw one full shelter. But, most of the RidgeRunners won't give you too much flack if you're set-up very close to the shelter and you aren't acting like an a$$. I met 2 Ridgerunners, one in the south end of the park and one at the north end; both were just starting their stint in the woods and both were hammock friendly.
Each shelter has it's own max capacity and it's posted inside (usually).
Good feedback on the blues. If I want to do the AT on that park do I just have to suck it up and stay in a shelter? Can I hang if the shelter is full? What is full? Does each shelter have a stated capacity?
The guide gives the capacity of each. Legally you can hang next to the shelter if it is full. I would wait to setup until late. Then you can offer to hang outside. Most people will be happy not to have one extra in the shelter. The ones that do take hiking way too serious.
There is a legal campsite in the southern part. It is an old shelter site without a shelter. Looked decent and had water in a dry year when I was there.
whitefoot_hp
01-12-2009, 17:00
Ashman, if its cold the park may not be crowded. i just got back from a three day trip last wed thur fri. and we saw no one until friday. we started at the newfound gap area and could have hammocked on the AT. we hammocked at kephart and leconte, both nights it snowed. it was lovely
Anyone ever hang in a shelter?
Cannibal
01-12-2009, 20:17
Anyone ever hang in a shelter?
Several; busted my a$$ in one.
Hanging in the shelters was the best. Not many people out when I was. The old shelters with the trees for support beams running the length of the shelter were the best to hang from.
Luckily none broke on me.
Cannibal
01-13-2009, 00:03
Hanging in the shelters was the best.
Yeah but, then you actually have to get out of the hammock to pee! :scared:
Yeah but, then you actually have to get out of the hammock to pee! :scared:
Yeah but when it's cold and rainy its nice to have the extra room and a roof over your head.
southbounder pride!!!