Update

“Two possibilities are looking most likely:

1. [This is probably what I'll do if I go solo. Could camp at Smokemont the night before, but not sure yet.] Friday dayhike up Alum Cave trail to Mt LeConte, then back to Newfound Gap via Boulevard & AT. There is now a shuttle service running between Cherokee & Gatlinburg that stops at Newfound gap, so we could catch a ride on the shuttle rather than use two vehicles. If there's time (and energy), we could hike up to Chimney Tops, then drive over to Cosby and camp. From there, we could do a couple more long dayhikes to Mt Cammerer & Mt Sterling, or put together an overnight backpacking loop. I need to check on backcountry sites.

2. Probably starting Friday, backpack the ~25-mile Fires Creek Rim Trail, near Hayesville. http://www.cs.unca.edu/n fsnc/recreation/fires_creek_trail.pdf Or could put something together around Standing Indian.”

“Hi. First time on this site. Hike every weekend and always looking for friends to hike with. Just started backpacking this year so I'm new.

Anyway, I'm interested in the trip. Some questions: is the hike open to anybody? How many miles would we be going each day?

Thank you kindly, Mr. Buckeye,

Alley :)”

“Is there anything new on this yet? Not sure what I am going to do over the weekend but I am gathering options.”