Great Smoky Mountains - Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

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Great Smoky Mountains - Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

The Basics:

Event Type:

Backpacking

Event Location:

Mt. Sterling, NC (GSMNP)

Backpacking: Great Smoky Mountains - Mt. Sterling Backpacking Trip

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 23 2013 6:30 am >> Sun, Feb 24 2013 6:00 pm (Carpool Departure: 6:45 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Wed, Jan 30 2013 9:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Feb 22 2013 5:00 pm

Event Duration:

1 Days 11 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

6.2 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Michael Johnson
Mike Pawloski

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:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Thanks to Bob Bunner for part of the following description on a past trip we co-lead together.

This is an extremely challenging, but also very rewarding backpacking trip to the summit of Mt. Sterling. We will steadily climb along the Baxter Creek trail, culminating with 360 degree views of the Smokies from an old firetower. But this trip is not for the average or novice backpacker. The trail gains 4100 feet in only 6.2 miles! That's about the equivalent of hiking from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim. The trailhead begins at the Big Creek picnic area. There is a water source about 500 yards before we get to the summit. Bring or plan on borrowing a water filter. We'll probably make it back to the Big Creek picnic area by 1-2pm on Sunday. If there is a consensus, we'll drive into Waynesville for a meal at a place that hasn't let us down yet.

Required Items to Bring:

1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 2 liters of water, raingear, warm jacket, See Event Checklists ("Backpacking").

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

Bring some snacks or an extra lunch for Sunday, in case the weather is so nice, we don't want to exit the park until at latest 2pm.

Beverage of choice for evening around campfire.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Must meet at carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

400Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

6:45 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $160.00 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:

Because of the difficulty of the hike to the summit of Mt. Sterling, if you haven't done some tough backpacking trips with AOC, send an email to me describing your experience as a backpacker, and your fitness level.

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

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