Smokemont Loop Trail - Mon, Jun 2 2025

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Smokemont Loop Trail

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

17 miles north of Cherokee on 441, SMNP (meet at Holiday Inn Express)

Date(s) & Time:

Mon, Jun 2 2025 2:15 pm >> Mon, Jun 2 2025 4:45 pm

Registration Opens:

Wed, Apr 2 2025 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sun, Jun 1 2025 7:00 pm

Event Duration:

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate (Exploratory)

Distance:

6 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Ann
Ralph Howard

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

READ THE ENTIRE ITINERARY

Trail: Smokemont Loop Trail, 6 miles, with 1384 gain - a two mile uphill, four mile downhill loop trail. Pace will be moderate on uphill, faster (as conditions allow) on the downhill. Lovely vistas of the Oconaluftee River Valley.

Gear: Wear some waterproof boots, as trail could be muddy, bring poles (if you'd like to), water.

Where to meet: Meeting at 2PM at the Holiday Inn 376 Painttown Road, Cherokee, NC, for a 2:15PM departure to the trailhead.

Parking information is noted below - YOU NEED A PARKING PERMIT FOR THE SMNP. I will have one and can take up to 3 other people (Ralph gets in free - haha). If the three people on the list first want, they can ride with me, after that we'll need another driver and pass.....I'll be watching the signup and will advise people accordingly.

Trailhead: For those who want to meet at the trailhead, it is off of 441 at the Newton Bald Trailhead, drive past the Smokemont Ranger station into the campground. You can follow me from the Holiday Inn also, your choice. It is a 17 minute drive from the Holiday Inn.

Required Items to Bring:

water, safety kit, plastic bag for footwear

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

poles, snack, happy thoughts, bug stuff

Notes:

While there is no entrance fee, a paid parking tag is required for those who park for longer than 15 minutes. You may purchase a daily, weekly, or annual tag online or at the visitor's center. For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm

I will obtain a parking pass (for the week), but will need a few others to do so as well, in order to carpool from the Holiday Inn Express in Cherokee, NC.

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

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