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 - when the water levels are low to average, a creek encircles a beautiful large meadow.  When the water levels are high, the creek becomes a lake, but there are plenty of campsites in the forest adjacent to the lake. 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 $32.  If you want to pitch in for a portion of the permit fee, your contribution will be most welcome.  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.