Smoky Mountains Hiking
Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina Area
May 13-16, 2025
Co-Trip Leaders: Cindy Durr and Phyllis Legan
Type of Trip: Cabin/Hiking
Trip Cost/Deposit: $205/$105
Cancellation Date and full payment: April 1, 2025
Wilderness Level: 3-4
Trip Difficulty: Rugged - up to 2500 ft elevation gain, up to 14 miles per day
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25-35 pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack. Level 4: Denotes backpacking trips on established but rugged, unmaintained trail with multi-day backpacks (30-40 pounds). The hiking can be steep and sustained with long daily distances (up to 9 miles) and significant elevation change (up to 4000 feet). You should be comfortable running/biking/hiking for several hours without many breaks.
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25-35 pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Level 4: Denotes backpacking trips on established but rugged, unmaintained trail with multi-day backpacks (30-40 pounds). The hiking can be steep and sustained with long daily distances (up to 9 miles) and significant elevation change (up to 4000 feet). You should be comfortable running/biking/hiking for several hours without many breaks.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
Join us for day hiking on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, May 13-16, 2025. We will be staying in a large rustic cabin in Bryson City, North Carolina. You will need to be prepared to hike up to 12 miles per day with possible elevation gain of 2000 -2500 ft. This area of the park is known for several beautiful waterfalls. In addition to seeing an abundance of spring wildflowers, we will also be able to observe the large elk herd which calls that side of the mountain home.
The cost of the trip provides lodging, firewood and miscellaneous expenses. Each person will be responsible for their own meals as well as snacks during the day. There is a full kitchen in the cabin to make meal prep easy. We plan to eat out in the Bryson City area for at least two evening meals. Transportation to Bryson City will be your responsibility as well.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
