Backpacking Mount Sterling Ridge and Little Cataloochee - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
A two-day weekend backpacking trip August 25-26 along the northern perimeter of Cataloochee Valley. The weather was perfect for backpacking, mid 50-60s after a front came through with almost zero chance of rain. I started the loop at the Pretty Hollow Gap Trailhead and then picked up the Palmer Creek Trail heading up and west towards Balsam Mountain. Nothing too exciting with Palmer Creek, the trail generally stayed above the water. I hiked a short distance on Balsam Mountain Rd. This one-way road is open seasonally and has low traffic. Then I picked up the Balsam Mountain Trail and once I climbed above 5,000 ft near Ledge Bald I would stay above 5,000 ft for the next ~10 miles. I reached the Laurel Gap Shelter just past 6:00 PM, and had it to myself on a Saturday night. Pretty crazy considering the weather and time of year. The water source is well below the shelter but flowed well. I ate and read my Kindle until dark, and had a decent night's sleep. On the first day I covered 10 miles in 4.5 hours.
On my way to fill up in the morning I woke up a big bear about 300 ft from the shelter, I guess he couldn't get to those bear cables. Immediately above Laurel Gap I headed east on the Mount Sterling Ridge Trail, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite high-elevation trails in the state. There are no views until Mt. Sterling, but the forest is awesome. I reached Mt. Sterling around noon and took a long break, enjoying the cool breezes from the tower. Unfortunately it was pretty cloudy, so the views weren't great. Next I hiked down the super rocky Mount Sterling Trail and then the Long Bunk Trail. This section was uneventful. When I finally got to Little Cataloochee Creek I filled up for the last time in this remote valley. Next up was the Little Cataloochee Baptist Church and Cook Cabin, both in excellent condition. The last major climb began immediately after Cook Cabin up to Davidson Gap. This was rough coming towards the ends of a big hike. Below the gap the Little Cataloochee Trail crossed Davidson Branch 4 times before reconnecting with the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail. On Day 2 I covered 17.5 miles in 7.75 hours.
Hike was 27.5 miles with 5,631 feet elevation gain in 12 hours and 15 minutes.
Hike location
Thanksgiving Smoky Mountain Roadtrip
Roadtrip to Smoky Mountain National Park. From Illinios to North Carolina. Passing six states, fantastic view, lots of fun.
Backpacking the Great Smoky Mountains - Mt Sterling Loop
Completed the Mt Sterling Loop in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).
-Big Creek Trail to;
-Swallow Creek Trail to;
-Sterling Ridge Trail to;
-Baxter Creek Trail
This loop is typically around 17 miles but we logged around 20 total with some side treks. Day one (12 miles) was all ascent and day two (8 miles) was all descent. Camped at Mt Sterling Campsite #38. Still quite a bit of snow at the summit! Met some fellow youtubers linked below. Great hike!
Josh Sanders YouTube channel
Saline Scott YouTube channel
Newfound Gap - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Newfound Gap area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Disclaimer: This video is a joke.
Backpacking the Smoky Mountains: Mount Sterling fire tower Part 5
Heading up to Mount Sterling via the Baxter Creek Trail (Benton Mackaye Trail) was probably one of the most intense hikes I have done in the Smoky Mountains. A significant amount of elevation gain and loss, especially after heading up Mt. Cammerer the day before. I did climb the fire tower at the top of Sterling and it was worth it! Truly epic views and amazing after such a long day. I'm sure you can tell in the video but I was exhausted. This is a strenuous hike so be prepared.
Backpacking itinerary
Day 1
Parked at the Low Gap Trail and took this to the Appalachian Trail (2.5 miles0
Appalachian Trail to Mount Cammerer Trail (2.1 miles)
Mount Cammerer trail to the summit and doubled back to the Appalachian Trail (1.2 miles)
Appalachian Trail to Davenport Gap Shelter (6.2 miles)
Day 2
Davenport Gap Shelter to gravel road heading South (crosses into North Carolina, not sure of name, about 2 miles)
Road to Baxter Creek Trail (Benton Mackaye Trail)
Baxter Creek Trail to summit of Mt. Sterling (6.1 miles)
Baxter Creek Trail to Swallow Fork Trail (1.4 miles)
Swallow Fork Trail to Campsite 37 (4 miles)
Day 3
Left campsite 37
Low Gap Trail to Appalachian Trail (2.5 miles)
Cross Appalachian Trail and continue on Low Gap Trail (2.5 miles)
Notable Backpacking Gear:
Warbonnet Big Mamajamba
Osprey Exos 58
Salomon Speedcross 3
Dream Hammock Darien Robic 1.0
Black Diamond Z poles
Kylmit Static V insulated
Enlightened Equipment Enigma and Revolt 20 degree
Playlist for my last trip to the Smokies!
Instagram: @timwatsonoutdoors
Twitter: @timwoutdoors
Facebook: facebook.com/timwatsonoutdoors
Handy website where I get my information:
Backpacking Smoky Mountains Mt Sterling October 2019
Backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on the Mt Sterling Loop
Climbing the Mount Sterling fire tower in the Great Smoky Mountains
From Wikipedia: Mount Sterling is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains of Haywood County, North Carolina, located in the southeastern United States. It reaches an elevation of 5,842 feet (1,781 m) above sea level.[1] The summit is topped by an abandoned fire tower that gives stunning views of other nearby peaks.[2]
Mount Sterling crowns Mount Sterling Ridge, a 7-mile (11 km) ridge that gradually descends northward from the flanks of Big Cataloochee Mountain (on the Balsam Mountain crest) to the Pigeon River Valley. The ridge divides the Cataloochee area to the east from the Big Creek Valley (which represents the fringe of the Cosby area) to the west. The community of Waterville, North Carolina is located in the Pigeon Valley at the ridge's northern extreme. Geologically, Mount Sterling consists mainly of Precambrian metamorphic sandstone of the Ocoee Supergroup, formed nearly a billion years ago from ancient ocean sediments.[3] The summit of Mount Sterling is surrounded by a stand of Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest.
Mount Sterling Fire Tower - Great Smoky Mountains
Stunning views of the Smoky Mountains and beyond from the Mount Sterling Fire Tower today at 5,843 ft. high. It was in the upper 20's and windy at the top, so the tower was a little shaky. The fire tower was built in 1935 and is the highest elevation, original fire tower in the eastern United States.
Smoky Mountains - 30 Mile Loop
My recent (8/18 to 8/20/2017) trip to the GSMNP.
Day 1: From Cosby Campground took the Low Gap Trail up to the Appalachian Trail. Headed down to Mt Cammerer and then onto Davenport Gap Shelter for the night.
Day 2: Continued to Hwy 32 to road walk to Big Creek Campground. Took the Baxter Creek Trail up to Mt Sterling and camped at site 38.
Day 3: Continued down to Swallow Fork Trail to meet up with Low Gap Trail. Took Low Gap up to the AT and down to Cosby Campground.
Altogether 30 Miles, 2 mountain summits, and 16,000 ft of elevation change.
Trail Map:
Newfound Gap to Standing Bear - AT in the Great Smokies
Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Newfound Gap to Interstate 40 for 34 miles. Now one of my favorite hikes, this section features Charlies Bunion, miles of ridge walk with shear cliffs, incredible views of Mt LeConte, Mt Kephart, Mt Guyout and Mt Sterling. The trail climbs to over 6,000 feet at multiple points.
S3 E3 Three Night Loop in The Smokies May 2016
This 28 mile route from Cosby Campground over 3 nights/4 days completed a loop by way of a number of tracks through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Low Gap Trail passed over the Appalachian Trail to connect with the Swallow Fork Trail before the Mount Sterling Ridge Trail led us to the Balsam Mountain Trail and the Tricorner shelter. From there, I enjoyed my first taste of the AT heading north before descending down the Snake Den Ridge Trail to where we started. Our rain gear served us well as we enjoyed the extensive variety of vegetation on offer in (YouTube Creator) Roger Lamb's backyard(AKA the Smokies). All and all, this route proved to be a fine introduction to the Great Smoky Mountains and hiking in Appalachia.
Music by:
The Heritage
Other Lives
theheritage.co
Smoky Mountain Hiker's Tunnel
The old hiker's tunnel in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Big Creek Trail Backpacking Camping Hiking
Backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, first weekend of April 2018. We originally planned a two day camping trip but incoming storms & possible snow made another night of drinking moonshine in Gatlinburg a no-brainier. We stayed one night at campsite 37 Walnut Bottom with the intent of climbing Mount Sterling to get back to the fire tower at the top. GSMNP is an awesome National Park with about 900 miles of hiking trails within it's boundaries. Shot using iPhone 7 Plus with a BeastGrip Pro & BeastGrip Wide Angle lens.
Mount sterling fire tower (great Smokies)
Big Creek to Mount Sterling - GSMNP, NC
Weekend backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains. Started at Big Creek, headed up to Mount Sterling, over to Laurel Gap Shelter, then back down to Big Creek.
Music: Norman Greenbaum-Spirit In The Sky
Great Smoky Mountains - Campsite 35
How to Backcountry Camp - Episode 81 Great Smoky Mountains in Autumn
How to Backcountry Camp - Episode 81 Great Smoky Mountains in Autumn
Mount Cammerer - Big Creek Loop - Great Smoky Mountains
An awesome 18 mile loop in the Great Smoky Mountains, starts at Big Creek and up to Mount Cammerer via the Appalachian Trail and then on to the Cosby Knob Shelter. The hike continues the next day down to upper Big Creek for several waterfalls including Mouse Creek Falls. Completed in early January, we see snow, gusty winds and a lot of sunshine.
Backpacking to CREEPY Campsite on BALSAM MOUNTAIN (Great Smoky Mountains)
We backpacked Balsam Mountain trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina. 3 days, 2 nights - The 2nd night was pretty freaking scary! Campsite 44 is spooky!
Backpacking Itinerary:
Heintooga & Balsam Mountain Road (mark 6:08)
Day 1:
Flat Creek Trail (2.6 miles)
Spruce Mountain Trail (1.2 miles) O&B total of 2.4 miles
Palmer Creek to Campsite 39 (3.5 miles)
Total miles: 8.5
Campsite 42 (mark 8:58)
Campsite 39 (mark 13:00)
Day 2:
Palmer Creek to Balsam Mtn Road (3.5 miles)
Hyatt Ridge trail to Campsite 44 (4.4 miles)
Total miles: 7.9
CREEPY Campsite 44 (mark 22:18)
Day 3:
Hyatt Ridge (0.9 miles)
Beech Gap trail (5.3 miles)
Balsam Mountain Trail (2.3 miles)
Total miles: 8.5
6 trails. 24.9 miles
#greatsmokymountains #backpacking #creepycampsites
Backpacking Great Smoky Mountain National Park - 4 days - 40 miles
A 4 day, 3 night backpacking adventure in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Starting at Newfound Gap, We traversed a large loop of the mountains. Over 9 trails, 40 miles, and 9000 feet of elevation. An amazing adventure and some of the best hiking Great Smoky Mountain National Park has to offer! Smoky mountain backpacking at its finest! Enjoy!
Please consider supporting this channel by purchasing Amazon products through these links! Even if you are only directed to Amazon through these links I will still get a small portion to help the channel grow. Thanks!
: Ultralight Gear That I Endorse! :
LiteAF :
: Great gear that I use :
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer -
Silky F180 Saw -
Toaks 650 ml Titanium Pot -
Prana Stretch Zion Pants -
Mora Eldris -
Mora Companion -
Council Tool Woodcraft Pack Axe -
Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL -
Thermarest Z Seat -
Sawyer Squeeze -
Brooks Cascadia 12 Mens -
Xero Shoes Z-Trek Sandals -
Garmin Fenix 5 - (I use a 1)
ENO ProFly Tarp
Video & Audio
Canon T3i -
Canon 24mm Lens -
Canon 50mm Lens -
GoPro Hero -
Rode VideoMic Pro -
KRK Rokit 5 Studio Monitors -
Audio Technica 4050 Microphone -
Behringer Q802USB Mixer / Interface -
Behringer Q502USB Mixer / Interface -
Subscribe to my channel for more video like this!