Hello,
New to this forum and looking for insight on backpacking in GSMNP. I am an experienced backpacker in the Central Rockies and SE Utah. I am planning a trip with my brother and his 2 sons. They are inexperienced, so thinking to keep the mileage down to 5 to 10 miles per day. We are looking at mid to late April 2016, for about 5 or 6 days.
My plan to date:
Start at Big Creek CG and hike up Big Creek trail to BC site 37 and overnight
Hike from BC 37 to Laurel Gap Shelter via either Swallow Fork or Gunter Fork trails over night at LGS
Hike from LGS to TriCorner shelter overnight
Hike from TCS to Crosby Knob overnight
Hike CKS to Big Creek CG
Originally I laid out a trans AT through the park hike and thought it would be a little much for mileage and pack weights
Some open questions:
Chances of snow? I looked at the historical web cams and saw nothing
15 deg quilts, pads and bags enough in the shelters
Do the shelters have fireplaces (can't tell from pictures I've found)
Tips for getting reservations needed
Water sources between shelters, I am now planning on carrying a single liter of H20
General idea on how busy, crowded route/shelters will be
Any other pearls of wisdom
Thanks, appreciate the opportunity to learn more.