Smoky Mountains 2023

Quick facts

Trip leaders: Azure & James

When: June 17-25th

What: Adventure to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Itinerary

Friday, June 16th

• Meet at The Annex at 6 PM

• Go to HEB and get groceries at 6:30 PM

• Cook dinner and begin packing the cars/trailer

• Lights out and go to bed

Saturday, June 17th

• Wake up by 9 AM

• Pack the cars by 11:30 AM

• Take Azure to ACC Northridge by 12 PM

• Eat lunch in the parking lot, pick up Azure, and leave

• Drive to Willow Beach Campground (8 hours)

• Set up camp, prepare dinner, and go to bed

Sunday, June 18th

• Wake up at 6 AM

• Break down camp, pack up the cars, and depart by 7:30 AM

• Drive to Montgomery Bell State Park (5 hours)

• Eat lunch

• Drive to Big Creek Campground (4 hours)

• Set up camp and cook dinner

• Make sure everything is prepped for our backpacking trip the next day

• Go to bed

Monday, June 19th

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Pack up the cars and depart by 9 AM

• Drive to Big Creek Parking Area 

• Begin hiking to Designated Camping Spot (6.5 miles)

• Set up camp, cook dinner, and go to bed

Tuesday, June 20th

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Cook breakfast and break down the campsite

• Hike out by 9 AM (6.5 miles)

• Arrive at cars

• Drive to Elkmont Campground (1½ hours)

• Set up camp and cook dinner

• Go to bed

Wednesday, June 21st

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Cook breakfast and prepare for day hikes

• Drive to Rainbow Falls Trail

• Hike the Rainbow Falls Trail (6 miles)

• Eat lunch at the trailhead

• Hike the Grotto Falls Trail (2.6 miles)

• Drive back to Elkmont Campground

• Eat dinner, do campsite activities, and go to bed

Thursday, June 22nd

• Wake up at 7 AM 

• Cook breakfast and prepare for day hikes

• Drive to Chimney Top Trail

• Hike Chimney Top Trail (3.6 miles)

• Drive to the Chimneys Picnic Area and eat lunch

• Drive to the Alum Cave Trailhead

• Hike the Peregrine Peak & Alum Cave Trail

• Drive to Elkmont Campground

• Eat dinner, do campsite activities, and go to bed

Friday, June 23rd

• Wake up at 5 AM*

• Drive to Cades Cove Scenic Loop (45 minutes) and gander*

• Drive back to Elkmont Campground (45 minutes)*

• Break down camp, eat breakfast, and depart by 10 AM

• Drive to Clingmans Dome (1 hour) and gander

• Drive to Meigs Falls (1 hour) and gander

• Drive to Look Rock Campground (45 minutes)

• Set up camp and make lunch

• Do campsite activities (the Look Rock Viewing Platform is within walking distance)

• Cook dinner, do campsite activities, and go to bed

*For those interested in Cades Cove

Saturday, June 24th

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Break down camp, pack up the cars, and depart by 8:30 AM

• Drive to J Oviatt Bowers Park (5 hours)

• Eat lunch

• Drive to Delta National Forest (4 hours)

• Set up camp, cook dinner, and go to bed

Sunday, June 25th

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Break down camp, pack up the cars, and depart by 8:30 AM

• Drive to Louisiana Welcome Center (4 hours)

• Eat lunch

• Drive to The Annex (5 hours)

• Unpack the cars, claim food items, fistbump, and go home

Meal Plan

Youth Roles

Trip Leaders - Azure (chef) & James (Tactitian)

Medic- James

Entertainer- Ali

Navigator- Keith

Quartermaster- Azure

Cooler Tech- Katy

Weather Person- Christina

Head Count

Total: 8-9

Adults-

• Steve

• Susan

Youth-

• Ali

• Azure

• Christina

• Katy

• Keith

• James

Maybe-

• Annie (A)

Car Plan

Cars-

• Bone Knapper

• TBD (Susan's Car)

We will be taking a U-Haul trailer with us along with the 2 cars for added packing flexibility

Trainings

• Tick Talk - Sabrina (5/30)

• Backcountry Emergencies - Ali (6/6)

• Animal Safety - Keith (6/13)

To Do

1. To-Do List

2. Reservations

   1. • Willow Beach

      • Big Creek

      • Elkmont

      • Look Rock

      • Delta National Forest

3. Create Cost Estimate

4. Assign Trainings

   1. • Backcountry Emergencies

      • Animal Safety

5. Finalize Headcount (5/30)

6. Finalize Car Plan (5/30)

7. Assign Youth Roles (5/30)

   1. • Medic

      • Entertainer

      • Navigator

      • Quartermaster

      • Cooler Tech

      • Weather Person

8. Hill of Life Check-in (6/3)

9. Meal Plan

   1. Brainstorm Meals (5/30)

   2. Create Meal Plan (by 6/6)

   3. Create Itemized Grocery List (by 6/13)

10. Itinerary

    1. Brainstorm Locations

    2. Create rough itinerary

    3. Create final itinerary (locations, drivetimes, and times)

11. Create Crew Binder (by 6/13)

12. Go on Summer Trip !!!