Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Itinerary
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Drive or fly into Asheville Airport (AVL).
The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial
amount on your flight by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so especially because flights
to Asheville may be limited.
Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel (TBD)
Equipment shakedown. We go through all the items in your pack to make sure you are prepare for the trail
Trail mix distribution, pending Covid
Go to
Diamond Brand Outdoor Shop,
2623 Hendersonville Rd. • Arden, NC 28704 • 800-459-6262 • info@diamondbrand.com for last minute equipment if necessary
"Before" measurements taken
Body temperature taken to assess Covid risk
Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)
Monday, October 11, 2021
Second set of "before" measurements taken
Second body temperature taken to assess Covid risk
All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in a storage unit.
Free Hotel Breakfast
Check out of hotel
Shuttle to Smokemont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, elevation 2200'.
Hike 4.0 gently graded miles on the Bradley Fork Trail (an old railroad bed) alongside the Bradley Fork of
the Oconoluftee River to the Cabin Flats Trail
Hike 0.9 m. on the Cabin Flats Trail through virgin timber to Cabin Flats, elevation 3060'
Camp at Cabin Flats campsite #49, elevation 3060'
Total miles today = 4.9. Total miles = 4.9
Possible Bailout: Smokemont.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Hike 0.9 miles on the Cabin Flats Trail to the Dry Sluice Gap Trail
Climb steadily for 3.0 miles on the Dry Sluice Gap Trail to Grassy Branch Trail
Descend 2.5 miles on the Grassy Branch Trail to the Kephart Shelter
Camp at the Kephart Shelter, elevation 3600'
Total miles today = 6.4. Total miles = 11.3
Possible Bailout: Smokemont (but it's not that close)
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Climb steadily 3.7 miles on the Sweat Heifer Trail past a very nice cascade to the Appalachian Trail.
Hike 1.3 miles on the AT to the Ice Water Springs shelter
Camp at the Icewater Spring Shelter, elevation 5900'
Miles today = 5.0. Total miles = 16.3
Possible Bailout: Newfound Gap
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Hike 7.5 undulating miles past Charlie's Bunion and the Saw Teeth of the AT to Peck's Corner and the Hughes Ridge Trail.
Enjoy some of the best views the Smokies has to offer along the way
Descend 0.4 miles on the Hughes Ridge Trail to the Pecks Corner shelter.
Camp at Pecks Corner Shelter, elevation 5480'
Total miles today = 7.9. Total miles = 24.2
Possible Bailout: Newfound Gap
Friday, October 15, 2021
Descend 4.6 miles on the Hughes Ridge Trail to the Chasteen Creek Trail
Descend 1.7 miles on the Chasteen Creek Trail to the Upper Chasteen Creek campsite
Camp at campsite 48, Chasteen Creek, elevation 3400'
Miles today = 6.3. Total miles = 30.5
Possible Bailout: One day away
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Descend 2.3 miles past the Chasteen Creek Cascade to the Bradley Fork Trail
Turn left and stroll 1.8 gentle miles on the Bradley Fork Trail to the Smokemont Campground, elevation 2200'
End of hiking
Miles today = 4.1. Total miles = 34.6
Shuttle back to Asheville Hotel (TBD)
After measurements taken
Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)
This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at
the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew
and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if
this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Free hotel breakfast
Take the free airport shuttle
Back to top