Snowshoes for the Smoky Mountains

imported
#1 
														Leaving Springer 1st week in February. Debating if snowshoes will be needed for the Smoky Mountains. Thanks 

														_Just Jim_
#2 
																	Weather in the Smokies is erratic.  It will be late Feb. by the time you go thru there.  Perhaps better than snowshoes would be Yak-traks or other types of strap ons to help with ice.  We wore a type of strap on with kind of a stud on them.  Forgot the name.  They were lite and easy to carry.  It is a long way to carry heavy bulky snow shoes.  Then what do you do with them when you come out to davenport gap?

In 2009 we went thru in early March. There was no snow at all on the ground, but we had icy trails near Clingman’s. By contrast in 2005 we went thru in early April and had snow. It is that erratic as far a weather.

																	_swamp fox_
#3 
																	I agree with swamp fox. Snow Shoes seem like over kill. If it does snow it usually does not last too lomg before it gets packed down to a hard surface. In-step cramp-ons or Kahtoola micro spikes would be more useful. If it is snowing when you get to Fontana Dam wait a couple of days for it to get packed. Be prepared to spend an extra day or two if it snows while you are in the smokeys. Even here in NH if you wait a day the trail will be packed down. I rarely bring snow shoes on a winter hike.

																	_Big B_
#4 
																	Thanks Big B.  You reminded me of name of the strap ons we used in the Smokies: Kahtoola spikes.  We use them in NH as well when we are there in the winter.  Best thing for walking on icy roads as well.

																	_swamp fox_
#5 
																	Thanks for the input Swamp Fox and Big B. I do have the micro spikes. I certainly did not want to carry the extra weight, but wanted input from those who have been there done that.

																	_Just Jim_
#6 
																	I got instep crampons in my box at Fontana Dam. I didn't need them until I started descending the north side of Clingman's and then I was very glad I did have them, because the trail was icy, snowy and muddy under the ice (which would break and shoot icy cold mud up in geysers) all the way to Mount Collins shelter junction. I know people who hiked in '13 who just took the auto road down to Newfound Gap, since it was safer than the luge run of the AT down the backside of Clingman's. It's not worth breaking your neck. Instep crampons for me.

																	_Bird that is black_