Dangerous in smokies in Jan/Feb?

imported
#1

I just finished a mini-section hike from Cosby to Newfound Gap in the Smokies, and am planning to do Newfound Gap to Fontana later this month. I’d like to do it in the snow, since I rarely see snow down here in south Louisiana.

But a couple natives of the area warned me about hiking the Smokies A.T. during snowstorms in January or February. These are very experienced hikers, and they told me you can find yourself stranded when it snows during that part of the year. For example, they’ve been on the A.T. when the snow has caused the rhododendruns to collapse over the trail under the deep snow, making it impossible to proceed. And of course, temps can go below zero up high and I only have a 20 degree bag.

Anyone have experience hiking the Smokies section of the A.T. in the winter, particularly during strong snowstorms. And if so, how did you do?

steve hiker

#2

If you take a look at some of the early start journals, you’ll see that a number of people hit snow in the smokies: Bono and Rocket in 2003 around Jan 20-26 and our journal from 2001. We went into the Smokies on March 5th as a huge storm was hitting the East Coast. It’s slow going, especially if you’re the first one to hit the trail. We came across a lot of blow-downs compounded by slick trails; a few took a while to maneuver…and then there was the knee-deep snow. Bono and Rocket used snowshoes, we post-holed. Either way, it take a long time to get anywhere. We went 11 miles in 10 hours trading off lead position with two other thru hikers. We had to melt snow a few time to get water because the springs were buried. The views were beautiful though, especially when the sun came out, sparkling on the frozen trees.
If snow is in the forecast, just be preparted: plan on extra hiking time and take extra food, a reliable stove and most certainly, a 0 or -10* sleeping bag. Newfound Gap may not be open to traffic, so don’t count on being able to get to the hotels in Dollywood! Keep your wits about you…in the end, it’s only 5-6 days to Mountain Momma’s. Consider hiking with a partner or anyone else hiking through. Two cold brains are better than one.

Bushwhack/Bramble

#3

In the winter of 2001, my son ( Lil Reb ) and I decided to do a winter Hike. Actually it wasnt supposed to have been winter as the date was March 23, 2001. We made it to Newfound Gap and the temp was 10 to 15 deg. Up to Icewater Springs shelter, it got more and more ice and snow. By the time we got to Charlies Bunion, the wind was about 25 Mph and temps about 15 deg. Snow depth was about one foot there. We made it to Pecks Corner and it was solid ice going down to the shelter. Later that Day, we met Aswah, Little Feet, Freight Train and Ram Bunny. Anyone that knows these 4 know what I am talking about. These 4 were what made me decide to do a thru hike the next year.

Anyway the next day, it rained hard and the 6 of us only made it 5.3 miles that day because of the rain, ice and 18 inches of snow. It was unbelievable !!

The next day it was much nicer, warmer temps ( in the 50s ) and the hiking was great. This is still to this date the best hike I have ever been on. Pictures of this hike are on My photo page under my Hike in 2002. Take a look at them :slight_smile:

All in all, it helps to be prepared, go slow and hiking poles are a must ( For the Ice spots ). Since that hike my son and I go up there every year to snow hike and we love it. Expect the worse and the rest will be easy. By all means have fun and go slow.

Rebel, with a Cause !!

Rebel with a Cause

#4

I loved hiking in the Smokies both years… The snow was a blast. Waist deep in parts. Cold but beautiful. Fun times in the shelters… You can hit snow and cold weather or tornadoes or pissed off bears… lots of dangers… Understand the signs of the beginnings of hypothermia… Carry enough food. Do not go light weight if you are not experienced in light weight thru adverse conditions. I have slept in a tarp in driving snowstorms, minus 40 degree weather… I love to hike in bad weather but I understand when it becomes dangerous and would think nothing of stopping anywhere, setting up my tarp and crawling in my bag. It’s funny, but in the smokies is the one area of the trail where you actually are the furthest from any road. I think 15 miles at tri corner or whatever it is called shelter. Everywhere else on the trail you are never ever too far from some kind of road… yes even in the 100 mile non wilderness…

Peace and Love

ASWAH

Aswah

#5

I went on a gear shakedown hike in the smokies in January of 97 in contemplation of my 98 hike. I started in 65 degree weather from fomtana, saw 3 black bears in the first quarter mile, 3 dear in the next 2 miles, and an eagle later that first day. Temps dropped that night and the next two days were slow going. By the time I got to Mt. Collins Shelter, all of my gear was soaked, I had come close to hypothermia 2 nights, and I realized my boots were in much worse condition than I had thought. Then the snow kicked in. I decided to hike on to Newfound gap and hitch into gatlinburg to warm up and re-evaluate the rest of my hike. As soon as I started out, the snow turned to a driving freezing rain and soaked me and all my gear COMPLETELY. I made it to the gap about 30 minutes after sundown, still in driving freezing rain. With my headlamp on I could see about 4 feet in front of me, and found that there were absolutely no tracks on the road. (it had been closed)I searched for a decent campsite, finally settled on sleeping in the men’s room by the side of the road. After a night of laying on the bathroom floor, listening to trees crash all around me I got up, cooked breakfast in the sink, then flagged down a snowplow and hitched a ride with a park ranger into town. After such an exciting trip, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be attempting a thru-hike the next year! I love the Smokies.
:boy

renaissanceman