GSMNP // May 2025 · Troop 13 Home

GSMNP // May 2025

Advanced backpacking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

SUMMARY 🔴

DISTANCE/ELEVATION Trek 1: ~23 miles, ~5800 ft elevation Trek 2: ~14 miles, ~4000 ft elevation

PACKING LIST:

Backpacking Packing List⁠

⁠

DEPART: 6:30AM on May 24

RETURN: Afternoon of May 26

COST: $76/Scouts, $44/Adults

⁠

Open to Scouts who have been on at least 2 Troop 13 backpacking trips and are physically prepared for multiple days of challenging backpacking.

ELECTRONICS REMINDER 📱🕹️

One of the great benefits of heading out on any of our trips is that we’re able to unplug from our digital world for a few days. Electronics are allowed while traveling to our destinations, but we have a longstanding rule that Scouts are not allowed to use electronics while on our trips (i.e. if brought they’ll be left in vehicles and not used during the trip).

ITINERARY

We’ll meet at and leave from the Publix on S Royal Oaks in Franklin (

Google Maps⁠

Apple Maps⁠

This is an advanced trip with a high degree of physical challenge - due in part to multiple nights on the trail, but primarily due to the degree of elevation change and mileage that needs to be covered each day. Of the two confirmed treks, Trek 2 is somewhat easier than Trek 1, but both are still advanced trips.

We have two confirmed treks:

Trek 1 will start just outside Bryson City, NC at the Noland Creek Trailhead. We will hike to site site 70 (Jonas Creek) for the first night. On Sunday we will hike to site 75 (Poplar Flats) and spend the night there before hiking back out to the trailhead on Monday. Total distance is about 23 miles, total elevation change is about 5800 feet.

⁠

Google Maps

⁠

Apple Maps

⁠

Trek 2 will start just outside Tallassee, TN at the Abrams Creek Ranger Station. We will like to site 14 (Flint Gap) for the first night. On Sunday we will like to site 1 (Cooper Road) and spend the night there before hiking back out to the trailhead on Monday. Total distance is about 14 miles, total elevation change is about 3900 feet.

⁠

Google Maps

⁠

Apple Maps

⁠

MEALS

The

Backcountry Cookbook⁠

has trail tested recipes ready to go. See

Menu Ideas⁠

for additional inspiration. Cooks should complete the Backpacking Meal Planner.pdf linked on the

Cooking⁠

as they plan their meals.

Saturday

Lunch

Dinner

Sunday

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Monday

Breakfast

Cooking Budget

$32 per person

MAPS

TREK 1

⁠

This embedded link can't be shown.

⁠

TREK 2

⁠

This embedded link can't be shown.

⁠

WHO’S COMING

RSVP list current as of 7:00PM May 19.

Scouts

TREK 1

1. Caleb Penner

3. Jack Hughes

2. Joel Dillman (cook)

4. Noah Fritts

5. Seth Perry

6. Simon May

TREK 2

1. Achilles Young-Estes

2. Kent Brooks (cook)

3. Isaac Watson

4. Jack Kelly

5. Jackson Ricker

6. Jonathan Weller (own food)

Adults

TREK 1

Charlie Penner (drive 5)

Tim Kucejko (drive 4)

TREK 2

Dave Brooks (drive 5)

David Watson (drive 4)