Backpacking Lost Cove in the Smokies - Sat, Apr 15 2023

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Backpacking Lost Cove in the Smokies


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 15 2023  10:00 am >> Sun, Apr 16 2023 5:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 6:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Apr 5 2023 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 14 2023 11:59 pm
Event Duration:1 Days 7 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:14 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Bob Bunner
Nahid
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us for a backpacking trip to one of the premier campsites in all of the Southeast - Lost Cove. This hike will begin on the AT at Fontana Dam. I have rated this hike a D5 because we will ascend 2100 feet for 3.7 miles up Shuckstack Ridge along the AT to the Shuckstack Firetower. It's a challenging climb, but once you reach the top, the views to the South, including Fontana Lake, are spectacular from atop the firetower. We'll plan on having lunch at the fire tower.

From there, we will mostly descend for 4.0 miles along the Lost Cove Trail until we reach campsite #90 at Lost Cove. For the last mile or so, we will have several creek crossings, so bring water shoes.  When we reach Lost Cove, you can set up your tent in the open meadow with a creek running beside it or in the adjacent forest. Expect a later than normal depature on Sunday morning, between 10-11 a.m.  The hike out is 5.7 miles along the Lakeshore Trail back to Fontana Dam.  We will stop for lunch at the River's End restaurant in Wesser around 2-3 p.m. 

We have a reservation for 8 people at campsite #90. The cost of the reservation permit is $64, which will be divided equally among total participants.  For example, if we have 8 members participating in the trip, you will owe the trip leader $8.  If you do sign up, and for some reason you have to cancel, please have the courtesy to remove yourself as soon as possible so that we can give people on the waiting list sufficient notice that there is a spot for them on this event.

Please be prepared to let me know about your recent fitness level.  I will not let you go on this trip unless I feel comfortable that you are physically fit enough for this event.


Required Items to Bring:

Food: one lunch, one dinner, one breakfast, and a snack.  We will stop and get something to eat in Wesser on the way home, but it will likely be around 2-3 p.m.  Tent, backpack, sleeping pad, raingear, warm coat, warm hat, flashlight, toilet paper, utensils, cookware, and water.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles and extra pair of shoes for creek crossings, stove, water filter, snacks, matches, change of clothes.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Fontana Dam.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):320Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 6:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $128.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.