Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail

Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail
Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail

Highlights

Trip Dates:

2008
  • Jun 5–8
  • Jun 26–29 Sold out
  • Jul 10–13
  • Jul 24–27 W Closed
  • Aug 7–10 Closed
  • Aug 21–24 Closed
  • Sep 4–7
  • Sep 18–21
  • Oct 7–10
  • Oct 19–22 New date!
  • Oct 21–24 Closed

W = Women’s only departure

More great trips like this:
Sequoia Classic Backpack
Yellowstone Backpack
Yosemite Backpack

Price:

2008
REI Member: $625
Non-member: $670

Total Days: 4
Group Size: 4-6

Activities:

  • Backpacking

Accommodations:

Primitive backcountry shelters, 3 nights

REI Adventures Leads the Way With Carbon-Neutral Travel
All REI Adventures trips
are carbon neutral.

Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains offers fantastic hiking and expansive mountain views.  We backpack from one primitive shelter to the next on this short section of a classic route, where hikers can expect an authentic taste of the Appalachian Trail thru-hiker life. Our experienced guides will offer instruction for those looking to hone their skills in survival techniques, backpacking basics and learn about native plants and their uses.  Be aware that this is a backpacking course, and participants will be required to carry their personal gear (weighing about 20-25 lbs) and a portion of their food and group gear (weighing about 10-15 lbs) for the duration of the trip. This is a challenging trip for experienced backpackers or for the very fit beginner.  The outstanding Smoky Mountains guide service A Walk in the Woods provides ground operations on our trip.

Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail Itinerary:

  • Day 1

    We will meet as a group in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 12:00 p.m. After introductions, we'll go over gear, do an orientation and review medical information. Next, we'll be shuttled by van to the trailhead to begin our adventure on the Appalachian Trail. We'll be starting our hike along the highest stretch of mountains in the East. On a clear day, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the sea of mountains. We'll backpack between 3 to 5 miles in to the first of our shelters along the Appalachian Trail, where we'll settle in for a backcountry dinner then rest for the second leg of our journey tomorrow. Mileage: 3 to 5 miles; Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,300'; Meals Provided: Dinner and snacks. Lunch will be on your own today.

  • Day 2

    After breakfast, we will get deeper into the beautiful boreal forest, forests normally found only in Canada, with wonderful pine smells, old growth trees, some between 400 to almost a thousand years old. The Smokies are home to 90% of all of the Old Growth Forest left in the East and the upper ridges of the Smokies contain several thousand acres of these ancient trees. This is a good area to see deer, foxes and other wildlife as we are in some of the most remote sections of the eastern United States. We'll experience some strenuous stretches of trail, but the rewards are worthwhile with the breathtaking views. Mileage: 8-12 miles; Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,300'; All meals provided.

  • Day 3

    After breakfast, we will continue to hike along some knife thin ridges, deep forests and wonderful open high mountain meadows called Balds, a unique feature found only in these Southern Appalachian mountains. In late summer, we'll pick mountain blueberries, blackberries and huckleberries. The trail continues to some other ridges and rocks outcropping with great views on and off until we reach the shelter. Bears, deer and even elk are often our hiking companions. Mileage approx. 8 miles; Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,000'. All meals provided.

  • Day 4

    Our day alternates between incredibly diverse and moist forests to open ridges and grassy balds with breathtaking views into valleys rich with Cherokee and Scotch/Irish history. As we begin our decent, we will see plants found nowhere else on earth but the Southern Appalachians. Today's hike will be ecologically equivalent to hiking from Maine to Georgia. Our last mile and a half offers us a great opportunity to dip our feet in a cold mountain stream before we end our trip and get back to reality. Mileage: 8 miles; Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,000'. Breakfast, lunch and snacks provided.

Note on Itinerary:

There are multiple routes that we may select from along the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains that will enable us to create a fantastic hut to hut hiking experience for guests, and we may utilize any of those options.  Our final route is determined by our guides and based on the availability of suitable shelter access and other factors which may be beyond our control.  Changes in the availability of shelters from one departure date to the next will necessitate changes to the shelters we use each night, changes to the route and to the number of miles that we hike each day.  Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.  This trip is operated rain or shine.

Important Information about Air Travel:

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Single Travelers:

Single accommodations are not available for this trip.  Shelters are shared by all members of the group.

Price Includes:

All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional instruction and guiding; group cooking gear; group first aid kit, water filter; shuttle between trailheads.

Not Included:

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; 2 lunches and snack items (see pack list for detailed guidance); alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Closest Airport(s):

McGhee-Tyson Airport, Knoxville, TN; 79 miles; 1.5 hours
Asheville Airport, Asheville, NC; 75 miles; 1.5 hours
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, NC; 185 miles; 3.5 hours

Transfers:

There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our group’s meeting point.  Plan on renting a car if you are flying in for this Weekend Getaway.

Qualifications:

This trip is rated Vigorous (4) as we plan to hike for 6-10 hours per day most days on steep, rocky, sometimes exposed terrain, gaining and/or losing up to just over 3,000 feet in elevation some days.  We will carry packs weighing 30-35 lbs while we hike as well.  To maximize your enjoyment of the trip we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure.  Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Weather:

Daytime temperatures usually range between 50-75 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 30s - 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate raingear is important.

General Information:

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Great Smoky Mountains Backpack – Appalachian Trail

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Daytime temperatures usually range between 50 - 75 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 30s - 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate raingear is important.

Gear Checklist

Provided Gear
  • Shelter (primitive shelters or tents if shelter space is unavailable)
  • Cooking gear
  • Stoves and fuel
  • Water filter
  • Group first aid kit
Backpacking Gear
  • Backpack: large internal frame or external frame (4000 – 6000 cu”)
  • Pack cover – waterproof
  • Sleeping bag (rated at 20-25 degrees F)
  • Sleeping pad
Outerwear
  • Rain jacket and pants, lightweight waterproof and breathable
Clothing
  • Midweight fleece jacket or wool sweater
  • Mid- or lightweight thermal top and bottom made of synthetic or wool
  • Hiking pants, quick-drying, lightweight (zip-off legs are great) no jeans!
  • Hiking shorts, quick-drying, lightweight
  • 1-2 T-shirts, synthetic
  • 2 changes of underwear
  • Hiking socks, 2 pairs of wool or synthetic
  • Sock liners, 2 pairs of synthetic liners (optional)
Clothing Accessories
  • Sun hat with brim
  • Wool or fleece hat
  • Bandana
  • Lightweight wool or fleece gloves
Footwear
  • Hiking boots: heavy duty, waterproof, and well broken-in, should rise above ankle
Travel Accessories
  • Lunch items for each day (easily packable, non-perishable items, such as trail mix and energy bars as well as real foods like bagels and cheese, jerky, etc.)
  • Three 1-quart water bottles or hydration system equivalent
  • Headlamp with spare batteries and bulb
  • Plastic bowl, spoon, travel mug with lid
  • Sunglasses and retainer strap
  • Sunblock, (small amount—not the whole bottle), min SPF 25
  • lip balm (unscented)
  • Personal medications
  • Insect repellent (small)
  • Head net for mosquitoes, especially in July
  • Toothbrush & trial-sized paste
  • Pack towel and/or washcloth
  • Personal first aid kit, small and light with personal medication
  • Favorite energy snacks and drinks
  • Bic lighter
  • Travel size wet-wipes
  • Orange plastic trowel
  • TP system: toilet paper (not a full roll) & 1 Ziploc quart baggie & 1 Ziploc gallon baggie and orange plastic trowel
  • 1 large plastic garbage can bag
Optional Field Gear… think weight!
  • Trekking poles (highly recommended)
  • Pocket knife or small multi-tool
  • Compass
  • Map: Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains
  • Ear plugs
  • Lightweight camp shoes/sandals
  • Journal & pen
  • Camera and film- think weight
  • Small paperback book
  • Swim suit
  • Down vest or jacket

How are we doing? Give us feedback on this page.

  • Sign up for REI Gearmail®
  • Get a coupon for 15% off one full-price item.
  • Details.
  • Continue
  • Store Locator
  • Enter your ZIP code to locate a store near you.