For this winter camping adventure, I’ll be doing a Gregory Bald Loop Hike, incorporating campsite 13 Sheep Pen Gap, campsite 113 Birch Spring Gap, and a hike to the Shuckstack Fire Tower. This is my second backpacking trip to the Smokies, but due to the shorter winter days, ice, and snow, I’ll be slowing the pace down a bit compared to my previous hammock camping experience there.
For an easier read, check out my full blog post here http://www.sintax77.com/winter-hammock-camping-in-the-smoky-mountains/
Official Sintax77 Merch Store http://bit.ly/2S6wP2h
A backcountry permit is required for all campsites in this area. You can reserve them for $4 per night on the Smoky Mountains National Park website here: https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=1
Full GPS track Data, including campsites, water sources, etc, for this trip and many others can be downloaded in the above blog link or on my website’s Trip Data Page.
Trailhead Used: Twenty Mile Ranger Station Parking Area N35° 28.073′ W83° 52.601′
This parking area has room for several vehicles. The Twenty Mile Ranger station is right nearby and visible from the lot.
Trails Used, Day 1:
Begin at the Twenty Mile Trailhead
Twenty Mile Trail
Wolf Ridge Trail
Setup Camp at Sheep Pen Gap, campsite 13
This site is often rather windy. Two banks of bear cables are on site. I melted snow for water while here, but there is a spring 300 yards or so down the trail, which is the headwater for Panther Creek. By most accounts, it is often pretty muddy, presumably from animal activity. Try to find an upstream spot to source your water make sure to sterilize it properly.
Day 1 Mileage: 7 Miles
Day 1 Elevation Gain: 3,581′
Trails Used, Day 2:
Gregory Bald Trail
Appalachian Trail, Southbound
Setup Camp at Birch Spring Gap, campsite 113
This is a large multi-spot campsite with multiple designated tent areas. Some of these spots offer tree options for hammocks, but not all of them. Two banks of bear cables are on site. There is also a very nice reliable piped spring, and a single communal fire ring.
Day 2 Mileage: 5.5 Miles
Day 2 Elevation Gain: 1,732′
Trails Used, Day 3:
Continue on the Appalachian Trail South
At the intersection with Twenty Mile Trail, continue on the AT towards Shuckstack.
Shuckstack Spur Trail
Climb the 60′ Shuckstack fire tower
Return to the Twenty Mile Trail intersection
Twenty Mile Trail
Return to the Twenty Mile Trailhead
Day 3 Mileage: 6 Miles
Day 3 Elevation Gain: 700′
Grand Total 3 Day Mileage: 18.5 Miles
Grand Total 3 Day Elevation Gain: 6,013′
Notable Backpacking Gear:
National Geographic Smoky Mountains Trail Map https://amzn.to/2DdYT9s
EMS Longtrail 70L backpack https://go.magik.ly/ml/kait/
REI Duck’s Back 60 Pack Cover https://go.magik.ly/ml/kahw/
Hammock Gear Dyneema Fiber Hex Tarp http://www.hammockgear.com/dyneema-fiber-hex-tarp/http://www.hammockgear.com/dyneema-fiber-hex-tarp/
Titanium Tent Spikes https://amzn.to/2tXyhWE
Hammock Gear Zippered Bug net Hammock https://www.hammockgear.com/zippered-bug-net-hammock-charcoal-gray-hexon-1-6/
Hammock Gear Burrow 0 Top Quilt https://www.hammockgear.com/premium-burrow/
Hammock Gear Incubator 0 Top Underquilt https://www.hammockgear.com/premium-incubator/
Tyvek Ground Cloth https://amzn.to/2WIAGRU
Optimus Polaris Optifuel Stove https://amzn.to/2CoxjG5
Zippo Lighter https://amzn.to/2FBpikz
Toaks 750ml Titanium Cookpot https://amzn.to/2D5iE34
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork http://amzn.to/2uyl5GJ
Mountain House Spicy Breakfast Hash https://amzn.to/2DUKG33
Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier https://amzn.to/2WJp8gS
Forty Below 1L Water Bottle https://www.40below.com/products_detail.php?ProductID=18
Forty Below Bottle Boot insulator https://www.40below.com/products_detail.php?ProductID=8
Kahtoola MicroSpikes https://amzn.to/2t7thxP
Garmont Momentum Snow GTX Winter Boots https://go.magik.ly/ml/kajk/
EMS Thunderhead Jacket https://go.magik.ly/ml/jtlo/
Hardshell Pants – Military ECWCS Gen III Trousers https://amzn.to/2WzloP4
Outdoor Vitals Adventure Jacket http://bit.ly/2WHh940
Dutchware Sit Pad https://dutchwaregear.com/product/folding-sit-pad/
Byer of Maine Tri-Light Camp Stool https://amzn.to/2GamV9m
Olight Wave LED Headlamp https://amzn.to/2D443Vq
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