Friday, September 8, 2023

Fri 9/1/23 - Tue 9/5/23 - GSMNP Backpacking Trip

Fri: Drove to Standing Bear Farms hostel for the night. Shuttle to Clingmans Dome Sat AM to start our hike. Left car at Big Creek ranger station. We'd be hiking 4 days to the car from Clingmans.

Sat: 11.5 miles. GSMNP Clingmans to Icewater Springs, slow. Got to Road Prong and thought we were really close to Newfound Gap, 1.7 miles away. Sarah struggled to the shelter and we decided that night we should pack it in.

Sun: Hiked out 1 mile to Charlie's Bunion, then back to shelter to finish packing up.  Then hiked 3 miles to Newfound Gap where Mike shuttled us to Big Creek rnager station. Then into Gatlinburg for 2 nights.

Mon: Finally did Chimney tops hike ~4 miles. Steep up, lots of steps. Can't get out to the pinacle due to fire. Lower part of hike was long river and was really pretty. Then craft loop and Clingmans Dome for Sunset.  We did a picnic for dinner at Clingmans and it was beautiful.

Tue: 2 miles for coffee first thing, then 4 miles on Gatlinburg trail out to Sugarlands visitor center and back.  Then drove home.  Wasn't what we planned, but had a great time anyway.

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