Springtime in the Smokies, Tennessee

An ancient mountain range more than 100 million years older than the Rockies, the Smokies feature a wonderful mix of lush forest wilderness, rushing streams, and meadows. The park's wide elevation range and varied climate support an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of trees, 1,300 wildflowers, 200 birds, and 50 mammals. Habitats range from cove hardwood forests with huge tulip poplars to spruce fir forests found above 6,000 feet.

In Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a number of historic sites – including homesteads, mills, and churches -- have been restored and are open to visitors. The Cherokee have lived in the area for centuries and remain an important part of the park's heritage. Portions of the park still capture the flavor of the era before the federal government purchased the land in the early 1930s, saving a third of it from clear cutting.

The Park Service maintains about 850 miles of foot and horse trails. These crisscross the Smokies along crests, creeks, and waterfalls. The views are spectacular. As we hike, if we are fortunate, we may see varied wildflowers at the higher elevations of the southern Appalachians. We may encounter bears and will certainly be able to observe wildlife in its habitat. We will stay in our own tents in the group campground at Cades Cove. We will both hike from the camp and use our cars to get to the trailheads and set up shuttles, which will help in planning varied dayhikes. One day during the trip we will bicycle along the Cades Cove Loop Road to view some historic sites and hike along a trail.

We will meet at a group campsite in Cades Cove in the western section of the park. The nearest commercial airport is Knoxville, Tennessee. The leader will try to assist in coordinating rides for those desiring to carpool. 

This outing can be flexible with our itinerary; possible hikes may include:

• Rich Mountain from Cades Cove: 8.5 miles, excellent views, moderate
• Lead Cove – Bote Mountain – Finley Cane Loop: 7 miles, wildflowers, moderate
• Spence Field: 10 miles, 2,500-foot climb, strenuous
• Abrams Falls: 5 miles, flat, easy
• Big Creek Trail to Walnut Bottoms: 10 miles, hike along river, easy
• Gregory Bald: 11 miles, 2,200-foot ascent, strenuous
• Mt. LeConte (elev. 6,593 feet): 10.5 miles, steep, 2,700-foot ascent, strenuous

Day 1: We will meet at our camping site mid to late afternoon. After setting up camp, we may stroll around the grounds. We will have an orientation meeting (a.k.a., happy hour) and dinner before retiring under starry skies. Our daily hikes may vary due to the group’s ability and desires. Some trails will require a carpool to trailheads to ease the day’s journeys.

Day 2: We will walk the Rich Mountain Trail from Cades Cove: 8.5 miles, excellent views, moderate.

Day 3: We will walk the Lead Cove to Bote Mountain to Finley Cane Loop: 7 miles, excellent views and possible wildflowers, moderate.

Day 4: We will hike from the campground to Spence Field, along the Appalachian Trail, for a 10-mile loop. This is a more strenuous hike with a 2,500-foot climb.

Day 5: We will enjoy an easier day of shorter hikes in Cades Cove. The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road can be taken to Abrams Falls: 5 miles, flat, easy. We rent bikes to view some of the historic sites and the visitor’s center. (The Cades Cover Loop Road will likely be closed to vehicles on Wednesday.)

Day 6: We will vary our hiking by going to the Big Creek Trail to Walnut Bottoms. This 10-mile hike along the river will be easy. 

Day 7: After breakfast, we will break camp, leave Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and be headed back toward home.

Getting There

The Cades Cove group campground is about a 1½-hour drive southeast from the Knoxville Airport, and about a 4½-hour drive north from the Atlanta metropolitan area. We encourage carpooling to the area. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. 

Accommodations and Food

Our campsite features full water (flush toilets) and is close to commercial showers. Our first meal will be dinner on day one and our last meal will be breakfast on the final day of the trip. As we are car camping at Cades Cove group campground, we will be able to keep food bear-proof and secure in our cars. Meals will be varied and will feature mostly fresh and frozen foods. Our menu plan for the week easily accommodates those who prefer vegetarian fare.

The Sierra Club will furnish all food, including snacks, food preparation equipment, and everything else necessary to prepare the meals. Participants, in crews of two, will prepare the meals, under the direction of the trip leaders. Each crew will prepare one day's meals. You must bring your own bowl, cup, plate, and eating utensils. Participants will receive a generous “goodie bag” for trail snacking.

All trip members will be sent a map of the campground, a roster with names and addresses, a detailed list of the proposed hikes, and a list of additional references.

Trip Difficulty

Most of the hikes are rated moderate or strenuous because of their length and elevation gain. These mountains are among the highest in the Eastern United States and most trails have steep sections. This trip is designed for energetic and enthusiastic hikers. Good preparation for this trip would be walking at least 5-10 miles every week for at least 3 months prior to the trip. Minimum age is 18. 

Equipment and Clothing

You need to bring all your personal gear, daypack, water bottles (two liters total), rain gear, waterproof tent, ground cloth, sleeping bag and pad, flashlight, and eating utensils. Layered clothing is important because temperatures can range from the 40s at night to the 80s during the day. On a previous trip, we even had snow on the ground for a short time. Good hiking boots, at least rated for long dayhiking, are necessary. An extra pair of shoes is advisable in case of rainy weather. Effective rain gear is absolutely essential. Optional items include a camera, binoculars, and a flower or bird book. The trip leader will provide a detailed packing list to registered participants.

References

• Manning and Jamieson, The Best of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mountain Laurel Place.
• Hiking Trails of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association.
• The Audubon Society Field Guide to Eastern Wildflowers. A. A. Knopf.
• The Audubon Society Nature Guide to Eastern Forests. A. A. Knopf.
• Hiking Map and Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Earthwalk Press.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park Map (Trails Illustrated Map Number 229).

Conservation

Despite the protection afforded by the national park, the great biodiversity found in the Smokies is still threatened. Industrialization and wind currents carry a variety of air pollutants through the park. Acid precipitation, exotics (non-native species), insects, and fungi have deleterious impacts on the trees.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.