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FridayLunchDinnerSaturdayBreakfastLunchDinnerSundayBreakfastLunch (back at parking area)Bring Money if stopping on the way back
Achilles Y
Smoky Mountains // Mar 2026
Advanced backpacking in the Smokys - Cades Cove
SUMMARY 🔴
DISTANCE/ELEVATION
~17.5 miles, 3123ft ascent, 3137ft decent
DEPART: 6:00AM on March, 13th
RETURN: Late afternoon on March, 15th
COST: $77/Scout; $37/Adult + Parking permit for Drivers $15(Click link below)
Parking Permits are Required in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
WHO: Open to Scouts who have been on at least 2 backpacking trips with Troop 13 and are prepared for the physical challenge of a two-day hike.
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 drive to Cades Cove and park at the west side of the loop and start at the Elijah Oliver Cabin Access Trail where we’ll start hiking, heading to Campsite 17 Little Bottoms. Saturday we’ll continue hiking on through Abrams Creek Campground, down the access road and continue down the Rabbit Creek trail and stay at Campsite 15 Rabbit Creek. Sunday we’ll have a 5 mile hike out to the parking area.
This is a strenuous trek - take note of the elevation changes. Nearly 3000 feet of ascent (comparable to the Mt Baldy ascent at Philmont). If it’s been a while since you’ve been backpacking, this is not the trip to ease back into things with.
MEALS
Cooking Budget
$37 per person
If bringing your own food please use discount code OwnFoodCadesCove
MAPS
Park at Cades Cove - 3 Day Trip
2
WHO’S COMING
RSVP list current as of 9am Feb. 23 2026 8:26am
Scouts
Adults
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