WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 31
  1. #1

    Default GSMNP In November

    I am planning to start at Cades Cove, up to russel Field Shelter, north to Davenport Gap. Thanksgiving weekend(Thur-Sun).

    Questions:

    Any snow up there yet?
    Still fall leaves in the trees?
    Bears sleeping yet?
    population through that area in November?
    Nightly Tempts through there?
    What is the difficulty of the smokies north of Russel field? Only part ive done is from Fontana up to russel field and I found it tough. Does it become more enjoyable after Russel Field Shelter?
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  2. #2
    Nalgene Ninja flemdawg1's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-31-2008
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Age
    52
    Posts
    2,429

    Default

    Any snow up there yet? Very Possible
    Still fall leaves in the trees? Any snow up there yet?
    Still fall leaves in the trees? Doubtful, usually gone by Mid-Oct
    Bears sleeping yet? They don't actually hibernate, especially in the South.
    population through that area in November? Low, you should have some shelters to yourself.
    Nightly Tempts through there? 30-teens
    What is the difficulty of the smokies north of Russel field? Only part ive done is from Fontana up to russel field and I found it tough. Does it become more enjoyable after Russel Field Shelter? Still tough, but views start to open up. Especially after the leaves are gone.

  3. #3
    Peakbagger Extraordinaire The Solemates's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2003
    Location
    Appalachian Ohio
    Posts
    4,406

    Default

    Instead of going up to russell field, you may want to take a trail up from cades cove to gregory's bald your first day. its a short trip to the bald from the AT junction, but well worth it! then the next day you get rocky top and thunderhead....some of the best views in the smokies.
    The only thing better than mountains, is mountains where you haven't been.

    amongnature.blogspot.com

  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by The Solemates View Post
    Instead of going up to russell field, you may want to take a trail up from cades cove to gregory's bald your first day. its a short trip to the bald from the AT junction, but well worth it! then the next day you get rocky top and thunderhead....some of the best views in the smokies.
    I am sections the whole trail, I left the trail at Russel field shelter, so therefore this is where I must start again. only trail to is is Anthony creek to russel field tr to the AT. the head north toward Davenport.
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flemdawg1 View Post
    Any snow up there yet? Very Possible
    I know people get caught in early March up there in snow storms. Possibility of that in November?
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  6. #6
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    Leaf color change starts to peak the 1st of October on the mountain tops and works its way down the mountain so that the valleys peak the last of October.
    By early November (Veteran's Day), there's only a few individual trees with any leaf color left. By Thanksgiving, there should be no color left.

    The average 'climate' by Thanksgiving call for Hi/lo temps of about 55º/32º in the valleys and 40º/25º at the highest mountain peaks. Actual temperatures can easily be +/-15º.
    Looking at the archive of the Look Rock Webcam, snow is not the norm around Thanksgiving, but is definitely a possibility (the peaks of GSMNP have seen snow every month of the year but July and August).

    Once the leaves have all past their peaks, the place pretty much shuts down (relatively speaking) for the winter.

    Leaving Spence Field, you'll have a VERY steep (but relatively short) climb to Rocky Top. Parts of the trail are particularly steep going down the other side. After that, it's pretty much typical up-n-down of ridge walking. Of course things trend more up than down until you reach Clingman's Dome.
    Last edited by HooKooDooKu; 07-21-2014 at 13:07.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    Yup.....the possibility does exist...

    Just a few years ago, after hurricane sandy came in and dumped a few feet of snow on the higher elevations, a southbounder had to be evacuated out....

    And to me, the section between spence and mollies was seemingly the toughest......that stretch going up and over thunderhead was not easy...

  8. #8

    Default

    Thanks for this info guys its what i am looking for. Still waiting for Viking to chime in...
    I would really like to knock this section out, but I want to be smart about it...
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    Just pack your winter stuff----watch the forecast---and maybe have a contingency plan....

    i go backpacking year round in these parts, and while its in the back of my head, I try not to worry about it too much...

    for that sandy storm, I already had reservations at ice water, and post holed it out from the gap through over 3 feet of snow.....the temperatures were really warm so the worst thing I had to deal with was the melting snow...

    November can be a fun time as it ca be warm during day and chilly at night......the crowds sorta thin out although thanksgiving weekend will be more crowded than other weekends....

  10. #10

    Default

    What are the odds of someone on here wanting to do this section? I know its thanksgiving but it would be a great time to knock it out
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  11. #11

    Default

    the only thing i am going to say is if your going to be in the GSMNP that time of year be preparred for ALL TYPES of WEATHER CONDITIONS, you could have well below freezing temps, couple of feet of snow, but on the same hand you could see mild temps but go PREPARED for ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS, they will be NO fall leaves left that high up but might have some in lower elevs, for as people are concerned the only ones you will see is the Hardcore hikers all the Leave watchers Tourist types have hauled ass but you might see a few that likes the colder temps, The trail from Russel Field to Spence Field is EASY relatively flat BUT once you pass Spence field the trail turns straight up to go across thunder head and rocky top, the section of AT that goes from Spence Field to Double Springs Gap shelter in my oppinion is the HARDEST section in the entire park, then from Double springs gap to NewFound Gap RD the hardest part of this section is coming down from the top of Clingmans Dome, then from NewFound Gap to Davenport Gap is relativaly easy compared to the southern half of the park, don't forget to stop at Charlies Bunnion ( it's unforgettable ) but once you make it to the top of Cosby Knob it's basically all Down Hill to I-40, and for as nightly temps are concerned you will probably see below freezing, the GSMNP in my oppinion is without a doubt is the Hardest part of the SOUTHERN AT but also if you can handle the terrain can be some of the most rewarding hiking on the SOUTHERN AT. Good Luck and have lots of fun

  12. #12

    Default

    Physically I can do it, but have little experience in snow walking, let alone in the smokies lol
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-19-2005
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    3,715
    Images
    3

    Default

    Also stop by mount cammerer...

    how was the hike this past weekend? You get a ride? You see the people tunnel?

  14. #14

    Default

    The rain detoured me, I spent some good time with the girlfriend and we drove up to Clingmans Dome Sunday, it was her first time on the AT, and to see the Smokies, I piggy backed her all the way up to the dome just playin around haha I got quite the comments doing so! luckily she only wieghs about 100 pounds lol

    IMG_2888.jpg

    Mt Buckley isnt it? South of Clingmans?

    IMG_2884.jpg
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  15. #15
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    Physically I can do it, but have little experience in snow walking, let alone in the smokies lol
    You can always plan for it and simply see what the weather is like the week before you go. Having feet of snow to deal with, even at upper elevations, is a rarity in GSMNP in November.
    Check out the Web Cam Archive. Some years you will see some snow on the mountain tops that time of year, most years you won't. If the week comes and the forecast calls for good odds of snow, you could always back out. The bigger issue will be the cold. You could very easily experience cold temperatures in the low teens that time of year... or the temperature might never go below freezing.

  16. #16
    Registered User ChuckT's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-17-2013
    Location
    Cocoa, FL
    Age
    78
    Posts
    828

    Default

    You should also plan on company on the trail especially if the fall color is late this year.
    Miles to go before I sleep. R. Frost

  17. #17
    GSMNP 900 Miler
    Join Date
    02-25-2007
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Age
    57
    Posts
    4,861
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ChuckT View Post
    You should also plan on company on the trail especially if the fall color is late this year.
    Sorry Chuck, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with you on possible fall color. There might be some people on the trail trying to get a first look at winter views before the weather gets too cold, but there won't be any color to see by Thanksgiving.

    The typical fall season in GSMNP calls for the trees to start changing at the upper elevations the first of October.
    By the time you get to the end of October, the peak color has passed at the lower elevations. About a week into November, just about all the leaves have turned brown with most of them on the ground.
    By the time Thanksgiving comes along, you're pretty much a month past leaf season in GSMNP.

    Even better than the Look Rock Web cam, the Purchase Knob Web Cam Archive might better show you the change of the seasons.


    On the subject of snow...
    Gambit, take a look at the Purchase Know Web Cam Archive from November 4th, 2010 thru November 10th, 2010. It will give you a perfect example of what the snow MIGHT do that time of year.
    November 4th looks like a typical post-leaf season year. The field in front of the camera is still green but the leaves have all turned brown, most of them on the ground.
    November 5th suddenly has a layer of snow on the ground.
    November 6th and the snow is a little deeper (2"-4" as a guess)
    November 7th and the snow is already melting.
    November 8th and the snow is almost gone.
    November 9th and you might miss the signs that a recent snow happened.
    November 10th and the only difference you can see compared to November 4th is that the brown leaves that used to be on the trees are now on the ground... with no hint of a recent snow fall.

    Unfortunately, the Look Rock Web Cam Archive isn't as complete for those same dates. But if you look at November 7th, you can see how this snow is only affecting the upper-most elevations.
    You can also see that by mid November, even in the valleys, the leaves that do remain on the trees are brown, and even these are on the ground by Thanksgiving.

    Look at the Look Rock Web Cam for December 10th, and you can see either a layer of snow or frost at the elevations above 5,000'
    (The Purchase Know Web Cam at an elevation of 4,900' doesn't show any snow on the ground that same day)

    Look at the archive for early Dec 2010 and the November snow described above sort of repeats itself.

  18. #18

    Default

    hOOKOO WHAT A GREAT SITE!!! THANKS THIS HELPS LAOT AND i WILL STUDY IT AND GO WITH MY GUT WHICH IS I THINK i CAN DEAL WITH LIGHT SNOW CHANCE
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  19. #19

    Default

    On all three of my AT thru's the hardest part for me in the GSMNP wasn't the Terrain, Bears, people or snow it was the consistant COLD when you'll up 4500-6000ft in elevation and when the temps drop it gets COLD and i mean very Damn COLD.

  20. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-25-2012
    Location
    Lurkerville, East Tn
    Age
    64
    Posts
    3,717
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Gambit, I don't know which "Tennessee Hilltops" you live in, but if you're near the Smokies, it shouldn't be a terrible inconvenience to get some good current weather intel before you head out. For me, in the Knoxville area, we can often see the snow on the mountaintops. We don't have snowshoes or crampons, so we'd probably abort if there was enough snow to see from the city ridges.
    OTOH, if the forecast was warmish and sunny, we might just go for it.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •