#OptOutside Overnight Backpack to Thunderhead Mountain GSMNP

I will be bringing my 6 year old daughter with me. If you are new to backpacking or want to bring your child along this will be the perfect trip to do so. This will be only my daughters 2nd time backpacking, so we will be taking it slow. I do not want to push her or anyone else to hike further when they need to rest.

Trip Info -

Day 1 - 4.8 Miles - Spence Field Shelter - Starting at the Lead Cove Trailhead, we will take the Lead Cove Trail 1.8 miles till it dead ends at the Bote Mountain Trail. We will then take the Bote Mountain Trail for 2.9 miles to the Appalachian Trail. Spence Field Shelter is .01 miles from the trail junction. We will set up camp here for the night.

https://hikinginthesmokies.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/spence-field-shelter-may-17-2012.jpg

Day 2 - 6.6/6.0 Miles - Parking Lot - We will start the day by heading north on the A.T.. We will have a few options depending on how far north everyone wants to go. Rocky Top is 1.3 miles from the shelter and .6 miles from Rocky Top is the summit of Thunderhead Mountain(5527 feet).

We will turn back at either Rocky Top or Thunderhead and head back to the parking lot via the same trails we took to the shelter.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/0/f/5/600_456109397.jpeg

Trail Info - I have not hiked this trail personally, but the views from Rocky Top look amazing! You can read more about the trails we will be hiking on these two websites.

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/spencefield.htm ( http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/spencefield.htm )

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/thunderhead.htm ( http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/thunderhead.htm )

Gear - If you have any questions about what to bring contact me personally.

*Water! - Trail conditions are extremely dry! There "may" 1 water source .2 miles from the shelter via Eagle Creek Trail. As of yet I have not been able to confirm if the source has water. I advise carrying enough water for the entire trip. This varies from person to person. I will be carrying 6 liters myself. I will personally verify everyone has enough water before we start our hike.

Weather - Lows in the 20s, Highs in the 50s. Normally, I hike rain or shine, but because of the wildfires the trip could be canceled last minute. I will be keeping on close eye on the air quality levels. If the levels are still in the red or purple zones the trip may be canceled.

Travel/Carpool - We will be leaving no later than 6AM. We will stop along the way for brunch and breaks. We should be at the trailhead no later than 12:00 AM(Time Change).

I think it would be best if we carpooled to the trailhead. I can take 2 people in my vehicle. We can organize carpools after we finalize who is going.

Expenses - I have reserved the shelter for 6 people. This came out to $32. We will split the cost of the shelter depending on how many people go. Please tip your carpool driver for gas.

If you have any other questions please comment below and send me an email. danieldlt25@gmail.com