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 AreaÂ
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 AMÂ
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
To-Do List
Reservations
Willow Beach
Big Creek
Elkmont
Look Rock
Delta National Forest
Create Cost Estimate
Assign Trainings
Backcountry Emergencies
Animal Safety
Finalize Headcount (5/30)
Finalize Car Plan (5/30)
Assign Youth Roles (5/30)
Medic
Entertainer
Navigator
Quartermaster
Cooler Tech
Weather Person
Hill of Life Check-in (6/3)
Meal Plan
Brainstorm Meals (5/30)
Create Meal Plan (by 6/6)
Create Itemized Grocery List (by 6/13)
Itinerary
Brainstorm Locations
Create rough itinerary
Create final itinerary (locations, drivetimes, and times)
Create Crew Binder (by 6/13)
Go on Summer Trip !!!