Smoky's in October

imported
#1

Planning a 2-3 day hike of northern half of Smoky’s (Newfound to Davenport) mid to late October. What can I expect for temps during both day and night? What is the best shuttle/parking area services at/near Davenport gap (Mountain Mammas, etc)?

Trail Dawg

#2

Try Curtis at Standing Bear Farm. He’s got limited parking avaiable for a reasonable fee and might be able to help you with a ride back after your hike. His website address is:www.standingbearfarm.tripod.com. As for weather, my last 2 October hikes in GSMNP were mostly dry with daytime highs in the 70’s and nighttime lows anywhere from freezing to 50!

Phlops

#3

I have always had good luck parking at Big Creek Ranger Station or Cosby Knob Campground. The hike up from Big Creek can be kind of fun. The Ranger Station at Big Creek is kind of remote, but there are no locked gates to worry about. I have driven by Mountain Momma’s, not to sure I would stop there.

Fritz

#4

Thanks for the info. How crowded should I expect the trail to be on a Thur - Sunday trip at that time in October?

Trail Dawg

#5

Hmm, Not too sure.

Normally, the Smokies requires a reservation for the shelters if your not a thru hiker (that might be only in the hiking season, though). If you call up their reservation center, they can pencil you in at the shelters you want, and tell you how many other folks are signed up.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

The link has been acting kind of funny, so you might want to try a few times.

Fritz

#6

Trail Dog,
I’ve done many October hikes in the Smokies, and suggest you be prepared for a wide variety of weather…some of the wildest swings in temp and precip that month. It’s well-worth the trip though…my favorite month there.

You will definitely need reservations year-round. You’ll have company, especially on the AT. Other side trails are also worth the walk too (my favorite loop there is out of Big Creek to Mt Sterling, Balsam Ridge to Tricorner Knob (on the AT), Snake Den to Cosby to Mt Cammerer via lower Mt Cammerer and AT, then retrace to Big Creek viaChesnut Branch trail.
But if you do your section, I agree with Fritz. Skip Mt Mommas and park at Big Creek ranger station. There have definitely been reports of car vandalism near Davenport Gap.
Have a great hike.
Scorch

Scorch

#7

I think the rangers stop taking reservations in the beginning of June since they assume that most of the thru-hikers are through by then.After that it is on a first come basis.

Pansy