Backpacking Trip (Yes, in December!)

Phil and some friends embarked on a 3 day/2 night adventure into the wilderness of The Great Smoky Mountain National Park to celebrate the 30th birthday of one of the guys. The hiking portion was much more grueling than any of the guys knew they'd be tackling, but each came home safe, mostly uninjured, and appreciative of the time spent with each other.

The National Park Service recently reintroduced elk back into the mountains of North Carolina. The guys were fortunate to see the entire herd bedded down the afternoon they arrived in the park. This bull elk was unalarmed by the vehicle traffic as he grazed in the field.

The backpacking trip followed old trading paths that the Park Service has used for horses throughout the last several decades since the GSM National Park was established. The trails led the guys from the Cataloochee Valley, to the left of the picture above, up and down the mountains to the pinnacle of the ridge in the center of the picture. A total of 22 miles hiked, the second day was the most grueling, at 12 miles on the day, with a final ascent of 2000 ft. over a 2 mile distance.


Group shot of the guys as they set out on the morning of Day 2. With light snow and moderate rain during the night, the guys faced wet and slippery trails.

This picture shows a common sight throughout the excursion: very rugged "trails" that were often little more than seasonal streams. Most of the trails were horse paths, with leaves hiding the rocks underneath.

Campsite #2: on the pinnacle of the highest ridge in the area, 5850 ft. above sea level, at the base of an abandoned Forest Service fire watch tower.


The grueling hike the evening before ended after sunset, with the guys hiking into camp with the aid of headlamps. Since camp was on the pinnacle of a mountain, they knew the view would be amazing from the top of the tower.
Sunrise over the Smokies. Simply incredible! Proof that God loves us, and wants us to enjoy his creation.


Setting out on the morning of Day 3. Rested, fed, and encouraged by the all-down-hill-from-here day of hiking that lay ahead.


One of many stream crossings with no bridge or stepping stones. Phil was thankful for the new Gore-tex lined boots he had purchased for this trip.


This stream was simply too deep to walk across. Fortunately, there was a bridge over troubled water.

All of the guys came home with sore muscles, but with rest and IcyHot the pain was temporary. And the memories of the grueling Day 2 climb mean each guy can now use this adventure as the benchmark for the most difficult hike they've ever completed.