Backpacking Lost Cove in the Smokies

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. From there, we will mostly descend for 4.0 miles along the Lost Cove Trail until we reach campsite # 90 at Lost Cove. The potential campsites will depend on the lake levels, but I was here in the Fall (during the drought) and there was a large open meadow available for camping. Expect a later than normal depature the next morning, between 10-11 a.m.  Then we will hike 5.7 miles along the Lakeshore Trail back to Fontana Dam.  We will stop and get something to eat in Wesser on the way home, but it will likely be around 2-3 p.m. 

We have a reservation for 8 people at campsite #90. The cost of the reservation permit is $32, which I will prorate among those who attend (I won't charge anyone more than $6, so if only 3 people sign up, you'll owe at most $6).  Please pay me at the event.  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 backpacking experience.  I will not let you go on this trip unless I feel comfortable that you are physically fit enough for this event.

Meet at the Carpool.

The Trip Leader(s) for this event has (have) elected to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party.  No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event.  Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge an agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leader, prior to the event, a breakdown of the funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event.  Following the event, the Trip Leader must complete his or her financial accounting for the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time.  If you were unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.

The permit for 8 persons cost $32.  I will prorate the cost among those who participate in the hike, but will cap your individual cost at $6.  If 8 people sign up, your cost will be $4. If 4 people sign up, your cost will be $6.  I will collect the fee at the event.