Great Smoky Mountains Women’s Backpacking
Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains
-
- Activity Level: 3-4
- Days: 4
- Group Size: 4-6
- Member price: from $949
- Non-member price: from $1,028
Overview
Perfect for the backpacking adventurer who wants to try the Appalachian Trail, hone multi-day backpacking skills or just disconnect from the day to day, this trip gives you a taste of being a thru-hiker. We wake each morning to the symphony of the forest. Fueled by hot coffee and a hearty breakfast, we backpack to primitive shelters, camp in lush meadows, traversing narrow ridgelines, threading old-growth forests, and pausing to appreciate the grandeur of Great Smoky Mountains vistas.
Along the trail, our passionate expert guides share the Smokies’ history, lore and field-tested backpacking tips. Evenings bring friendly camaraderie around the campfire. The simplicity of trail life soothes stress and helps us be mindful in the here-and-now. Our journey culminates with gratitude for new friends and wild places. Mind clear, spirits renewed, we depart ready to take on life’s next adventure.
Trip highlights
- Reconnect with Mother Nature on this challenging backpacking adventure
- Stay in a primitive backcountry shelter and camp in secluded meadows
- Learn wilderness survival techniques and backpacking tips from expert guides
- Experience a portion of the famed Appalachian Trail along mountain Peaks
- REI Women’s Adventure—designed for women, guided by women
Activities
- Backpacking
Accommodations
Primitive backcountry shelters and tent camping, 3 nights
Itinerary
Our trip begins at 9am today in beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After introductions to our fellow travelers and guides and an informational orientation to the weekend's adventure we'll caravan to the trail head and begin our exploration of this spectacular national treasure.
Mileage: varies between 3 – 5.5 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change.
Awaken to the symphony of the forest as we ease into our first day of life on the trail. Depending on our route we may find ourselves traversing the slopes of ancient Mount Guyot, the second highest peak in the Smokies, soaking in the spectacular views at Charles Bunion or working on our naturalist skills along some of the most remote trails in the eastern United States.
Mileage: varies between 6.5 – 13 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change..
We'll start this morning with a wholesome breakfast and fresh brewed coffee prepared by our amazing guides. Get ready for another day spent in awe as we hike among old growth Boreal forests and continue our journey along sections of the iconic Appalachian Trail. We'll get a feel for the thru-hiker experience and depending on our route may even have a chance to experience the most challenging sections of the AT in Great Smoky Mountains National Park today.
Mileage: varies between 6 – 13 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change..
Today's journey is bittersweet as we continue to soak in breathtaking views and panoramas along our last miles back to the trailhead. Regardless of our route, we'll cherish these last few hours spent in the remote corners of the United States' most visited national park with passionate guides and like-minded new friends. Flights out of Knoxville or Asheville can be scheduled after 7pm. Flights out of Charlotte can be scheduled after 9pm.
Mileage: varies between 3-11 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change.
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.
What's included
Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone
Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time
Price Includes
Accommodations in huts, or tents if required (route dependent); meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional instruction and guiding; group cooking gear; group first aid kit; water filter or purification system.
Not Included
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; lunches and snack items; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; optional guide gratuities; items of a personal nature.
Consider as you sign up
Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details.
REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits.
REI Co-op World Mastercard® - Earn 5% back on REI Adventures trips and all REI net purchases. Learn more.
Additional Information
Cancellation and Transfer Policy
Full payment is due at sign up, fully refundable up to 30 days prior to departure.
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
30+ days prior to departure = $0
15 to 29 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request:
15+ days prior to departure = $0
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
Weather
Daytime temperatures usually range between 50-75 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 20s - 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate raingear is important.
Single Travelers
Single accommodations are not available for this trip. Shelters are shared by all members of the group.
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. Additional trip information will be provided upon sign up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time 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.
Meet your guides
Jaimie M.
Jaimie has been a naturalist in the Great Smoky Mountains since 2003 and holds a degree in natural and cultural interpretation. She's a self-proclaimed bird nerd who enjoys birding, backpacking, gardening and nature photography.
Meet your guides
Jen K.
Passionate about long-distance hiking, Jen enjoys leading others to find themselves out on the trail. Jen has thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and has hiked all 900 miles of the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Adventure Expert
Heather
Backpacking in the Smokies is an incredible opportunity on its own. When you add passionate female guides who’ve spent decades exploring the area to the mix, the experience promises to be life changing.
Departure dates
Select a month to view departure dates. If there are no departures in a month, the month will not appear below.
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
2019
-
Apr 18 - Apr 21 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
May 30 - Jun 2 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
Jun 13 - Jun 16 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
Jul 4 - Jul 7 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
Aug 8 - Aug 11 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
Sep 5 - Sep 8 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
-
Sep 29 - Oct 2 Available from $949Book now Error: Please select a departure date to book your trip. Error: Sold out. Please select another departure date.
Gear list
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.
Provided by REI
- All Group Cooking Gear
- Group First Aid Kit
- Shelter
- Stoves and Fuel
- Tent(s)
- Water Filter
Required
- Backpacking Boots
- Backpacking Pack (Multiday, 50-80L)
- Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Midweight, Synthetic)
- Energy Snacks and Drink Mixes
- Fleece/Wool Gloves
- Fleece/Wool Hat
- Fleece/Wool Jacket or Sweater
- Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
- Hiking Pants (Convertible, Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
- Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
- Lunch Food for Each Day
- Pack Rain Cover
- Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner
- Personal Mess Kit (Bowl/Plate, Cup, Utensils)
- Prescription Medications
- Rain Jacket (Hooded, Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)
- Rain Pants (Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)
- Sleeping Bag (15┬░-29┬░, Lightweight, Compressible)
- Sleeping Pad
- Sun Block and Lip Balm (Small)
- Sunglasses and Accessories
- Water Bottles (Three 1-Quart) or Hydration System
- Whistle
Recommended
- Bandana
- Camp Towel
- Ear Plugs
- Energy Snacks and Drink Mixes
- Hiking Shorts (Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
- Insect Repellant
- Large Plastic Garbage Bag
- Personal Wipes and Hand Sanitizer Gel
- Sun Hat
- Tee Shirts (Synthetic)
- Toiletries
- Trekking Poles
- Underwear
Optional
- Camera and Accessories
- Casual Shoes for Travel and Free Time
- Compass
- Eye Mask
- Insulated Jacket and/or Vest
- Liner Socks (Synthetic)
- Maps
- Reading and Writing Materials
- Small Multitool
- Swimwear
Travel Documents
- Final Bulletin (Emailed Prior to Departure Date)
Contact Us
Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (1-800-426-4840) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out REI Expert Advice, which has great information to help you prepare for your trip.
.Itinerary
Print Itinerary Collapse all days
Our trip begins at 9am today in beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After introductions to our fellow travelers and guides and an informational orientation to the weekend's adventure we'll caravan to the trail head and begin our exploration of this spectacular national treasure.
Mileage: varies between 3 – 5.5 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change.
Awaken to the symphony of the forest as we ease into our first day of life on the trail. Depending on our route we may find ourselves traversing the slopes of ancient Mount Guyot, the second highest peak in the Smokies, soaking in the spectacular views at Charles Bunion or working on our naturalist skills along some of the most remote trails in the eastern United States.
Mileage: varies between 6.5 – 13 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change..
We'll start this morning with a wholesome breakfast and fresh brewed coffee prepared by our amazing guides. Get ready for another day spent in awe as we hike among old growth Boreal forests and continue our journey along sections of the iconic Appalachian Trail. We'll get a feel for the thru-hiker experience and depending on our route may even have a chance to experience the most challenging sections of the AT in Great Smoky Mountains National Park today.
Mileage: varies between 6 – 13 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change..
Today's journey is bittersweet as we continue to soak in breathtaking views and panoramas along our last miles back to the trailhead. Regardless of our route, we'll cherish these last few hours spent in the remote corners of the United States' most visited national park with passionate guides and like-minded new friends. Flights out of Knoxville or Asheville can be scheduled after 7pm. Flights out of Charlotte can be scheduled after 9pm.
Mileage: varies between 3-11 miles depending on specific route with +/- 1,500-3,000' elevation change.
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.
What's included
Call 1-800-622-2236 to reserve this trip on the phone
Monday-Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time
Price Includes
Accommodations in huts, or tents if required (route dependent); meals as noted in the daily itinerary; professional instruction and guiding; group cooking gear; group first aid kit; water filter or purification system.
Not Included
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; lunches and snack items; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; optional guide gratuities; items of a personal nature.
Consider as you sign up
Airline tickets - Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Please contact us or see details.
REI membership - Get a member discount on most REI Adventures trips plus other valuable benefits.
REI Co-op World Mastercard® - Earn 5% back on REI Adventures trips and all REI net purchases. Learn more.
Additional Information
Cancellation and Transfer Policy
Full payment is due at sign up, fully refundable up to 30 days prior to departure.
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
30+ days prior to departure = $0
15 to 29 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request:
15+ days prior to departure = $0
0 to 14 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
Weather
Daytime temperatures usually range between 50-75 degrees F, with evening temperatures dropping into the 20s - 50s. You may encounter freezing temperatures at some of the higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility, so adequate raingear is important.
Single Travelers
Single accommodations are not available for this trip. Shelters are shared by all members of the group.
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. Additional trip information will be provided upon sign up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time 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.
Meet your guides
Jaimie M.
Jaimie has been a naturalist in the Great Smoky Mountains since 2003 and holds a degree in natural and cultural interpretation. She's a self-proclaimed bird nerd who enjoys birding, backpacking, gardening and nature photography.
Meet your guides
Jen K.
Passionate about long-distance hiking, Jen enjoys leading others to find themselves out on the trail. Jen has thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and has hiked all 900 miles of the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Adventure Expert
Heather
Backpacking in the Smokies is an incredible opportunity on its own. When you add passionate female guides who’ve spent decades exploring the area to the mix, the experience promises to be life changing.