State Highpoints Backpacking- Clingmans Dome, TN - AT

Located on the rugged border of Tennessee and North Carolina is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), a popular destination for challenging backpacking trips with AOC members. Starting at the break of dawn we'll head up I-85N and US-441N to the gorgeous high country of the park and check in for an awesome overnighter that is sure to test your limits (See Directions below and/or the vicinity map for our meetup spot, click the blue & green "coordinates" icon on the "Event Location" line for better details).  After parking & gathering at Newfound Gap we'll immediately start the rigorous climbs as we head southbound (SoBo) on the Appalachian Trail (AT) to Double Spring Gap Shelter. Along the way we will stop at the Tennessee state high point...CLINGMANS DOME (also the overall high point of the entire AT @ 6,644 feet) for a mandatory photo and a quick break...then back on the AT to complete the day down to Double Spring Gap Shelter with a daily overall of about 11 miles. The shelters are protected from major elements, but not 100%, as we all know their population tends to be high in the rodent category so we are encouraging bivy bags or hammocks. 

BEAR CANISTERS are also required and will need to be staged off-site for safety reasons that are too obvious to state.

After a great night of sleep we'll wake up, eat, break camp, clean up and be back at the NoBo trek, retracing our steps back up to Clingmans Dome (maybe more photos if the weather is better one day versus the other) and back down to the parking lot at Newfound Gap.

We'll probably stop somewhere along the way home to fill up on some good chow...a group vote will be in order before we load up and head South on US-441.

This is a D6 level backpacking trip, please register only if you're comfortable with an extremely difficult backpacking event and have recent AOC backpacking experience. If your experience is not from the club, please include it in a note when you register. The Trip Leader reserves the right to remove registrants without a sufficient track record with the club for the safety of everyone. I encourage members to actively participate in challenging experiences, but most importantly - to stay healthy and safe so you can build from here.

I-85N to I-985N (which turns into  US 441N (US23N/365N)) toward Franklin and through to Cherokee and up to the Newfound Gap parking lot that is on the RH side of 441 (just north of the Oconaluftee Vistors Center). Estimated 3 hour drive. We will all re-group and hit the restooms at the visitors center...good photo opp #1 too.

LEAVE NO TRACE
Bring dry clothing to change in to for return trip.
Bring bag for wet and/or muddy gear to respect drivers vehicle.
Let's all hope for bright, sunny & clear weather (temps..I don't care, we just want clear skies;)

Must adhere to all backcountry rules and regs from GSMNP web site:  https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry- regs.htm 

Each participant will also need to pay for their portion of the permit = $4/person.