Short backpacking trip: Newfound Gap to Icewater Spring Shelter in the Smokys

Event leader = Grant C.

I have secured reservations for six backpackers to stay in the Icewater Spring Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Saturday night, October 21.

We will park our cars at Newfound Gap (U.S. 441) and backpack approx. 3 miles, one-way, on the Appalachian Trail to the shelter. This shelter has a great view-especially at sunrise! We can also take a side-trip, hiking another mile to Charlies Bunion to take in the amazing views there.

The next day, we'll return to our cars and head back to Raleigh, perhaps driving up to Clingman's Dome on the way back.

My initial thought was to go from Clingman's Dome, NE-bound to Icewater Spring Shelter. This is approx. 12 miles, one-way, but due to the days becoming shorter, the time we'll need to drive from Raleigh, and the one-way hiking distance, I am setting up this event to be a shorter trip.

Photo of Icewater Spring Shelter
https://whiteblaze.net... (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/4/5/1/im000721-med.jpg)

https://www.easttennes... (https://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/albums/Smokies/Copy_of_Icewater_Spring_shelter2.jpg)

Photo looking out of the shelter (roughly towards the east)
https://internet.cyber... (https://internet.cybermesa.com/~tompris/Images/SmokiesWithShelter.jpg)

Photo of the nearby privy. It's a real beauty!
https://whiteblaze.net... (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/2/9/3/icewater_springs_privy-med.jpg)

Photo of the shelter's water source, located 50 yards north of the shelter
https://whiteblaze.net... (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/5/pa060073_water_source_icewater_springs-med.jpg)

Photo of Charlies Bunion
https://www.flickr.com... (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jflint/24124971/)

Have your own gear, food, and plan on being self-sufficient.

It will be COLD. Icewater Spring Shelter is at an elevation of 5,920 feet. It's the second highest shelter in the Smokys. Be prepared with warm clothing (even a change of clothes), rain gear, warm sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. A tent will not be necessary. Bring layers of synthetic clothing, gloves, and a fleece hat - NO COTTON CLOTHING.

The elevation gain from Newfound Gap to the shelter is approximately 900 feet. It's a moderate hike from Newfound Gap based on the elevation change and the distance we're going to hike.

This shelter sleeps 12 people. Most likely, we'll be sharing it with six other people. If you aren't familiar with the Appalachian Trail shelters, they're basically three-sided primitive structures with a roof (no door/no privacy). The sleeping area consists of boards laid across the "floor." You lay your sleeping bag parallel to other people in the shelter, like sardines in a tin. There is a privy nearby and a water source (bring a filter or other method of water treatment).

Weather links
https://tinyurl.com/fc... (https://tinyurl.com/fcfxd)

Newfound Gap Daily Forecast
https://tinyurl.com/e6... (https://tinyurl.com/e684n)

We will have a long drive of approximately 325 miles, one-way, and a drive time of 5.5 hours. Click here for driving directions https://tinyurl.com/zt... (https://tinyurl.com/zt5tu)

In the event of rain or substantial unfavorable weather, i.e., high winds, early snow showers, or etcetera we will discuss whether or not we should proceed with this trip.

We might be lucky enough to arrive at the peak of fall foliage. See these links:

Fall foliage reports
https://tinyurl.com/p8... (https://tinyurl.com/p8uqu)

https://tinyurl.com/md... (https://tinyurl.com/md3f2)

Smoky's Webcam - Look Rock
https://tinyurl.com/88... (https://tinyurl.com/88h43)

Smoky's Webcam - Purchase Knob
https://tinyurl.com/dy... (https://tinyurl.com/dym8k)

October 21 will also be the beginning of a new moon phase, so if the sky is clear, we should have a great opportunity to see a lot of stars.

This RSVP list will close Sunday, October 15. There will not be a waiting list. Check this page frequently to see if anyone drops out. If you RSVP "YES", please be certain that you can attend this event. If you cannot attend, please remove yourself from the RSVP list, promptly, so that someone else can sign-up.

Avoid signing up for this trip if you must be back in Raleigh by a specific time on Sunday.

I will e-mail everyone on the list after the RSVP list closes to discuss carpool arrangements. We'll need at least one other driver who can take two passengers and their gear. Please let me know if you want to do this.

Contact me if you have any questions.

For more information, see https://tinyurl.com/zt5tu