WOW !!! That sounds like it would be a great trip. I have spent many days in the SMNP and it's a great place to be. we are going up there in the middle of November and plan to spend three or four days some where up near Clingman's Dome or just north of there. I also did some camping near Cade's Cove in the early seventies but that area has really changed since then. I don't know if you can even hike up there any more. That's back when every one carries 60 lb. packs and could do nothing but sleep once you got to where you could because you were so darn tired from carrying such a heavy load. Although we were a lot younger then, the load still took it's toll after a few miles walking...sabre11004...