Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#124465 - 11/27/09 02:42 PM NEW TRIP TO THE A.T.
sabre11004 Offline
member

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 513
Loc: Tennessee
My wife and I are going up to the A.T. near or in the GSMNP in January. Probably some where near Cosby. We will most likely take the Snake Den Ridge Trail that comes directly off the A.T. We will probably stay for 4-5 nights depending on the weather and such. We have been planning this trip for a couple of months and we are really looking forward to it too. Will stay mostly in the tent but may try a shelter or two again depending on how crowded they are. There is a shelter at Crosby Knob that is on the A.T.and we have looked that one over for a while too. I am sure that some one here has stayed on that trail a time or two...sabre11004... lol lol
_________________________
The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there 1!!!!!

Top
#124657 - 12/03/09 07:10 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: sabre11004]
Bearpaw Offline
Moderator

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
If you want to stay at a shelter, be sure you call ahead 30 days in advance for a reservation .

Cosby has been renovated from the old chain link style and now sports a translucent sun roof and extended porch for the kitchen area. It has two excellent springs, one which flows from a pipe right next to the shelter. It also has bear cables.


Be aware that tenting is not allowed around shelters. The link I listed also includes any campsites that require a reservation. Once you have your permit number, you can fill out your own permit form once you enter the park.
_________________________
http://www.trailjournals.com/BearpawAT99/

Top
#124691 - 12/04/09 11:34 AM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: Bearpaw]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Wow, that is cool!!

I'm wanting to build a shelter in the forest behind our house using some of the Red Cedar growing back there and that's a great design.

Do you have any more photos you can post or PM me?

Top
#124700 - 12/04/09 02:22 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: sabre11004]
mike Offline
member

Registered: 01/07/02
Posts: 211
Loc: Ohio
I think the Cosby area is my favorite part of the park. Just got back from an early November jaunt starting in Big Creek, up to Mt. Sterling, down to Cataloochee, back up and over to Walnut Bottom (campsite 37) and then out along the AT over Cammerer. Great trip.

It helped that we had 3 of the clearest days I have ever seen in the park. 3 full days and nights where I could see the stars, no fog and no clouds in the sky. Really quite novel!

I have been on top of Sterling twice before but have never seen the view due to weather, but we go a fantastic sunset and sunrise. Lovely.

Unfortunately Cammerer did not cooperate. Day 5 of our trip took us from Cosby Knob Shelter back to Big Creek and it rained nonstop the whole day. Still, the rocky trail out to Cammerer was beautiful in that weather. I later heard that it rained for 30 hours strait with over 2" total rainfall.

Highlights from that area of the park for me are the Balsam Mountain Trail, Mt. Sterling and the Sterling Ridge Trail, Mt. Cammerer and the AT is always nice (if not a bit crowded).

Take special care when staying at campsite 37. The mice there are voracious! We once had one stealing gorp from our food bag (on the cable bearbag lines!!!) It took about a cup of gorp from our foodbag and started to make a nest with it in another persons pack.

Then on this most recent stay at 37, I had to expel one from my tent. I never knew a mouse could run around on a vertical piece of noseeum. I'm just glad he didnt chew his way out.

Anyway, have a great trip!


Top
#124708 - 12/04/09 05:59 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: billstephenson]
Bearpaw Offline
Moderator

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
Originally Posted By billstephenson
Wow, that is cool!!

I'm wanting to build a shelter in the forest behind our house using some of the Red Cedar growing back there and that's a great design.

Do you have any more photos you can post or PM me?


Other improved shelters in the Smokies:

Derrick Knob Shelter:


Inside view with sunroof:


Icewater Spring Shelter:


Tri-Corner Knob Shelter:


These are much improved over the old chain-link fenced shelters like Mt. Collins:
_________________________
http://www.trailjournals.com/BearpawAT99/

Top
#124710 - 12/04/09 06:19 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: Bearpaw]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
You dudes are stylin'. I've seen ranger stations that aren't that nice.

Top
#124814 - 12/06/09 02:19 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: Bearpaw]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Thank you, Bearpaw, those are awesome!

I showed the first photo to my neighbor, Randy, last night while we were sitting down back by a fire. We were inspired to build a big stone fireplace like those in your photos this winter and add on from there.

Lucky for us, we both have lots of rocks and big cedars to work with wink

_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



Top
#124816 - 12/06/09 03:28 PM Re: NEW TRIP TO THE A.T. [Re: Bearpaw]
Kent W Offline
member

Registered: 10/15/09
Posts: 607
Loc: IL.
Nice photos Thanks, I have stayed at Ice Water springs and Mt Collins back in the 80s. Ice water shelter looks like huge improvement. I am going back there backpacking in Late March. I am still contemplating my stays. The trail guidbook and map is a great help. I will reserve a month earlier. We had trouble getting sites back in the 80s winter camping. I am sure it will be tough to get sites I want. Thanks again

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
2 registered (), 174 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum