Winter on the Peaks

Explore the Smokies under the cover of winter. Our favorite time of the year in the Great Smokies is the winter.

This trip you will likely be challenged by the elements and it allows for visibility through the dense forest that isn’t seen the other 3 seasons. This trip travels into the high elevation of the park during the day and sets up camp at designated backcountry campsites in the evening. If we are lucky, we will experience a snow-covered trip that will not only challenge our skills, but will also keep you in awe of the beauty that surrounds you. SMG provides high quality equipment and also utilizes this itinerary to teach appropriate skills for maximizing winter backcountry trips.

Total distance on trail = 13.5 miles approximately
Total Elevation gain (loss) = 4,200ft (-5,374ft)
Max elevation = 6,587ft
Min elevation = 3,878ft

(Route and statistics may very due to availability of backcountry sites weather, and road closures.)

Backpacking Overview

Time: 2 Days or 3 Days
Rating: Moderate to Strenuous
Limit: 6 in a group (+up to 2 guides)
Price Per Person:
2-Day $385
3-Day $640

2024 Dates:
Jan 19-20, Jan 26-27

Highlights

Beautiful Icicles
Snow
The quiet and solitude of winter in the Smokies
Learning necessary skills to survive and keep warm in the winter

Advisory or cautions:

As with any high elevation hiking the weather can change quickly and mental\physical preparedness is necessary for your enjoyment.

Okay!!!

So are you ready to join on us on an adventure?!!!

GREAT!!!!

Here is a list of stuff you should bring with you and what is provided by your guide!

For a suggested packing list, SMG staff will contact you to discuss Winter specifics!

(Keep in mind that this will be a heavy pack, and over loading can make for a less than comfy trip for you. The same goes for bringing too little! So read this carefully and please feel free to ask your guide for advice!)

Please inform your guide of any and all health issues and potentially critical personal info such as allergies to any meds and or bees or heart conditions etc.

Oh and about the food! I know your thinking about the food!

All meals are prepared by your guide!
Our dinners will be a yummy mix of filling and tasty dehydrated meals with added fresh veggies and we try to have a different meal each night! We pick high quality meals and fruits and veggies for us and our guests so we are all fully energized and feel great for our adventures!
For breakfasts we like to have a breakfast bar and or yummy hot oatmeal!
Lunches are usually peanut butter and jelly or tuna packets and crackers!
We also provide a few good snack bars for each day.
And of course there has to be a desert!
Please inform your guide upon reservation of any dietary restrictions or needs.

Lastly Hugely Important Info! PLEASE CLICK ME!!!

These trips are very strenuous and require FIT and SOUND body and mind as well as willing and adventurous attitude! These are the wilds of the Smoky Mountains! A relatively unpredictable and remote environment! You will be carrying about a 30 lb. pack over hilly, rocky, and sometimes wet and slick terrain. The weather can and will change quickly.

If you have had any recent surgeries or pain or trouble with knees, feet, back, hips shoulders, neck, eyes, balance or any health issues that could effect your safety and enjoyment of the trip, then a less strenuous route would be strongly advised.
As always if you have any concerns please talk with your guide. They will be able to help either encourage you to try it or advise you to try a better suited trip.

All of this to say, we want you to have a wonderful time with us and part of our job to accomplish that is to determine who is and who is not suited properly for each adventure. We understand some folks don’t quite know what to expect out here but that is whats so wonderful about a guide service! We are here to eliminate the guesswork. So lets work together and all have a great time enjoying our beautiful GSMNP!