Appalachian Trail Section Backpacking Trip

Dates: 4-28-24 thru 5-4-24
Activity: Strenuous, Advanced, Mountain hiking
Activity Leader(s): Ryan Lusk

Hello Hikers,
This trip will be our out of state advance backpacking trip for the year. We will be hiking mostly in the Smoky Mountains. This is not easy terrain and this trip again is for advance backpackers only. All hikers will need to contact me before the trip so I can verify you are able to complete a trip like this. This is a hike your own hike style trip so where I will check you in at night and check you out in the morning. Myself or another leader will be sweeping each day as well.
This trip has options for you to choose from. You can complete all 6 days of the trip or you can choose to do either the first 3 days or last 3 days of the trip. Basic trip itinerary is below. There may be last minute changes depending on group size and hostel availability.
As advanced backpackers i should not need to tell you what to bring. If you do not know this is most likely not the trip for you. However, if you do have a question, please feel free to contact me with any.

Itinerary:

***4-27-24*** TRAVEL to Fontana Dam. We will stay at Fontana Dam this night and we will leave our vehicles here.
***4-48-24*** We will be shuttled to Clingmans Dome where we will first hike up to the tower and hope for good views. Then we will begin the hike to Derricks Knob Shelter (**about 10 miles**). I have a permit for 8 people at this location.
***4-29-24*** Hike from Derricks Knob shelter to Russell Field Shelter (**about 9 miles**). I have permit here for 8 people as well. Before you ask I could not get a permit for Mollies Ridge Shelter for that night.
***4-30-24*** Hike from Russell Field Shelter to Fontana Dam (**about 15 miles**). This will be by far our biggest day, but we will have zero day after this in Gatlinburg, TN. Once we reach Fontana Dam, we will drive to Gatlinburg to stay at hotel. Dinner we can have along the way.
***5-1-24*** ZERO DAY in Gatlinburg, TN or surrounding areas. This day is intended for hikers to experience the “width ” of the trail. You can do your own thing, or we can do something as a group. Breakfast at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is a must for me as well as visiting the NOC (think Ron Jon Surf Shop but for hikers). For those who are doing only half the trip either you will be taking off or joining up with us this day.
We will then either stay in town that night or head to Standing Bear Hostel to stay. We will be leaving our vehicles at standing bear on the 2nd to walk back to over last section of the trail.
***5-2-24*** Shuttle to Garenflo Gap from Standing bear. We will hike from Garneflo Gap to Roaring Fork Shelter (**about 11 miles**). No permits required in this section, so shelters are first come first serve.
***5-3-24*** Hike Roaring Fork Shelter to Groundhog Creek Shelter (**about 8 miles**). We will be waking up super early this morning to reach Max Patch for a sunrise this day (about 2 miles from Roaring Fork). The picture you see for this event above is from a Max Patch sunrise I took a few year ago.
***5-4-24*** Hike Groundhog Creek Shelter to Standing Bear Hostel (**about 8 miles**).

**Total Miles: 61 Miles**
**34 Miles 1st half**
**27 Miles 2nd half**

I am maxing the number of people to 8 for this trip BUT if you are only doing half then let me know so i can adjust to allow other hikers options to join as well for the other half. Cost for the trip will depend on how many sign up. Once I have the final numbers, I will set up the shuttles, for everyone. Cost will be for shuttles, and permit. This will not include hotel/ hostel or car parking at standing bear. I will update those costs as well once I have the group size.

Please contact me with any questions. Ryan Lusk 904-891-4479
We may have a local pre hike to meet with everyone before hand as well here in South Florida so keep an eye out for that.