Benton McKaye Trail Out of State Trip – Advanced Hikers

For ADVANCE HIKERS ONLY.

Location: Near Fontana Dam on Benton McKaye Trail
Duration: 6 days total hiking. 1 zero day in the middle
Activity level — Advanced / Strenuous
Total estimated miles on trail = 68 Miles

Hello Backpackers, we are back in our favorite area but on the Benton McKaye Trail this time. This is for advanced hikers only and will be consider a hike your own hike setup because of this. We will be travelling along the Benton McKaye trail around Fontana Dam in NC. We will leave our vehicles at Fontana and get shuttles to our starting points at the beginning of each segment. The plan is to head SOBO back to Fontana dam for 3 days then take a zero in Gatlinburg, TN. Then do a NOBO section for 3 days again back to Fontana Dam.
As advance backpackers you need to have experience on longer duration backpacking trips. If I do not know you, I may contact you to ask about your experience. Once on trial there are not a lot of “off ramps” so please make sure you are physically ready for this trip. As mentioned above for my advance trips I allow a hike your own hike setup. I or another activity leader will be sweeping, in back of group, each day. Everyone will be required to check out with me in morning and I will check everyone in at camp each day. As advance hikers you should not need ask about what to pack for a trip like this. You will make me worry if you do. LOL. Below is basic itinerary. There is a fee associated with this trip for camp reservations in the smokies. We will have shuttles to our starting points at beginning of each segment so there is a fee for that as well. If you have questions, please contact me. 9048914479

Fee will be dependent on amount who sign up. Plan on $25 for campsites for the smokies and about the same for each leg of shuttles. About $75. This does not include hotels, food, fun etc.

5/3 Saturday — Travel day to event. Recommend staying at Fontana Dam this night
5/4 Sunday — Day one Hike. We will shuttle from Fontana Dam to Start which is Lakeshore at mile 57.6 Trailhead Tunnel and head SOBO to camp 98 (about 10 miles)
5/5 Monday — Day two hike. Leave camp 98 and hike to camp 86. About 15 miles. This will be out long day on SOBO section. Luckily the elevation is easier than on AT.
5/6 Tuesday — Day three hike. Leave camp 86 and head to Fontana Dam. About 11.2 miles. We will get back to our cars and head to Gatlinburg, TN area to stay at hotel/ Airbnb. Generally, you are responsible for your own hotel.
5/7 Wednesday — ZERO DAY Gatlinburg. I am planning a sunrise hangout on Max Patch. This is a popular event but this time we can take our time up there. Rest of day is whatever you want. We usually meet for dinner.
5/8 Thursday — Drive to Fontana and leave cars to get picked up and shuttled to start of NOBO section; Unicoi Crest Outlook Mile 122.8. We will head NOBO to Mile 116.4 campsites. There are several along a 3 mile stretch here. 6.4 miles to first campsite area.
5/9 Friday — Leave campsite around mile marker 116 to 107.9. Topoco Lodge. You can pay for lodge night which is not cheap or we can walk an additional .75 miles to riverside area camp near boat ramp.
5/10 Saturday — Topoco Lodge to Fontana Dam. About 15 miles back to cars. We can have a final meal together before we start our journeys back home.
5/11 Sunday — Travel Day Home

For questions please call me (Ryan) at 904-891-4479