Great Smoky Mountains: October - 4 days

Pandemics make you feel like you're cooped up. So what is a safe activity to do? Be outside. Hike. So everyone had the same idea - let's go to the Smokies for a fall color tour! 

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TRIP COST FOR 2
Rental Car: $305 (MI <> TN)
Gas: $185
Airbnb: $194
Misc: $243
Total: $927
Per Person Total: $464

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DAY 1: Clingmans Dome, Morton Overlook 10 /15

• ​We rented a car and drove from Grand Rapids, MI to Townsend, TN.
  • Grocery shopped for food before the trip for hiking snacks/meals
• Driving from Townsend into the action of the park is about 40 minutes.
  • You get into the park quickly, but there are no trails for a while.
  • Gatlinburg is closer to the main attractions in the park
• Clingman’s Dome Observation Tower Trail - 1.2mi, moderate.
  • It was partly cloudy that day, and we were in a cloud when we got to the top, not much for views on a cloudy day. Paved trail all uphill, with resting benches.
• Morton Overlook at Sunset
  • a view of the gap: stayed here for a while to watch the sun set.
  • Beautiful & highly recommend

Ate food we packed for dinner: PB&J / Ramen.

DAY 2: Cades Cove, Laurel Falls, Roaring Fork 10/16

• Cades Cove by 8am
  • made a few stops at John Oliver's Place, churches, graveyards
  • the general store for souvenirs
• Lunch at Smokin' Joes BBQ in Townsend
• Hiked the Laurel Falls Trail - 2.4mi, easy - worth it!
• Roaring Fork Scenic Drive - Ephraim Bales House
  • Got lucky and saw SEVEN black bears down this road
• ​Dinner outside at Drafts Burger Bar in Gatlinburg

DAY 3: Fall Color Chaos in the Park!

• Intended to hike the trail to Alum Cave up to Mt. Leconte - 10.9mi, hard, 2896ft in elevation
  • Literally zero parking spots
  • They say to go early and they are right. We were waiting out the rain, so we waited but shouldn't have!
  • The cars were parked so far down the road, it was complete insanity.
• ​Went back to Clingman's Dome again since it was the most beautiful, blue sky day.
  • Hiked the a portion of the Appalachian Trail - Andrew's Bald trail accessible after parking at Clingman's Dome.
  • A tahoe fell down the cliff since the parking lot is so small and people are dangeriously parking near the edge.
  • This caused huge traffic backups and added more the chaos and influx of visitors because of the pandemic!
  • Took us 2 hours to drive back to Townsend and the traffic was unbelievable.
  • I would avoid fall weekends in the park at all costs. 
• Dinner at Little River Pub & Deli
  • Lowkey with a firepit outside. 
  • Spiced Pumpkin Ale from Hexagon Brewery is SO GOOD!

DAY 4: Morning Hike / Travel Home 10/18

• Spruce Flat Falls - 1.8mi, moderate
  • ​Starts near the Institute at Tremont (follow the signs for Spruce Flat Falls) - google maps will fail you.
  • Highly Recommend this trail!
• Headed Home