Women's Smoky Mountains LeConte Backpacking Trip (4 Days / 3 Nights)

This is the trip you've been waiting for!  Check off another box on your bucket list with backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a night at the famous LeConte Lodge, the highest guest lodge in the Eastern U.S., accessible only by foot!

Join us on a 4-day, 3-night women's-only backpacking trip in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee. This immersive journey combines the thrill of backcountry exploration with the comfort of a bed and a warm meal at the historic LeConte Lodge.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, and is home to some of the most picturesque views on the iconic Appalachian Trail, where every step unveils awe-inspiring vistas, lush forests, and diverse ecosystems.  Keep your eyes open for wildlife, including black bears, deer, salamanders, and a variety of bird species.  Traverse well-maintained trails, camp in secluded backcountry sites, and ascend to the iconic lodge for a night of rustic charm and camaraderie.  Amidst breathtaking landscapes, connect with fellow female adventurers, share stories around campfires, and experience the serenity of the mountains.  This exclusive trip promises not only physical challenges but also opportunities for self-discovery and lasting connections in the heart of one of America's most captivating national parks.

Highlights:

• 4 days / 3 nights backpacking with an experienced guide
• 1 night stay in a rustic log cabin at LeConte Lodge, with a family style dinner and breakfast included
• 2 nights backcountry camping in tents or primitive shelters*
• Visit to Kuwohi, the highest elevation in the Smokies and tallest mountain on the Appalachian Trail (6,643')
• Hike along the historic Appalachian Trail

Cost: 

The cost for this trip is $1500 per person.  Gear rental is available upon request for an additional $300.

Group Size:

This trip is limited to 6 hikers plus your guide.  A minimum of 3 hikers is required for this trip to run.  If the minimum is not met, your guide will contact you with an option for a refund or booking credit.

Trip Difficulty: 

This is an intermediate level backpacking trip with some steep ascents, descents, and rocky and rooty terrain.  You will be expected to carry your own backpacking gear (between 25-30 pounds) for 5-7 hours each day as we hike to our campsites. Daily mileage depends on the route, but will be between 6 - 10 miles and up to 3,000' of elevation gain per day.  This trip is best suited to those who have some hiking and/or backpacking experience.  We recommend training for this hike ahead of time to condition your body to carrying extra weight (see FAQs for training ideas).

September is a beautiful time to hike in the Smokies! You can expect daytime highs in the 60s-70s and overnight lows in the 40s-50s.  However, the weather can change very quickly in the mountains, so be prepared for warmer or cooler weather, rain, and thunderstorms.  

*We cannot make reservations for backcountry campsites until 25 days before the start of the trip.  Exact locations, routes, and mileage are dependent on campsite availability.  Your guide will send a detailed itinerary with the planned route and mileage approximately 2 weeks before the start of the trip. 

What's Included:

• Pre-Hike Virtual Orientation and planning with your guide
• Shuttle service between meetup location and trailheads in the park
• All backcountry camping permits
• 1 night stay at LeConte Lodge in a 3 bedroom log cabin
• Family style dinner and breakfast at LeConte Lodge

What's Not Included:

• Backpacking gear (rental gear available for additional charge)
  
• On trail meals (other than described above)
• Wine service during dinner at LeConte ($15, payable at arrival)
• Transportation to/from airports
• Parking pass for the national park
• Guide gratuity

Itinerary*:

Day 1: Meetup & Hike to Backcountry Campsite:  We'll meet at a designated trail head in the national park (TBD- based on campsite reservations) and hike to our first backcountry campsite.  Along the way, we'll stop to soak in the scenery and learn about the local wildlife.  After we arrive at camp, we'll make dinner and enjoy some time around the campfire before heading to bed. (Estimated 5-10 miles hiking)

Day 2: Hike on the Appalachian Trail: No need to set an alarm today; we'll wake up to the sounds of the forest!  We'll make breakfast and tear down camp before heading to our next campsite.  We'll continue on our hike with a stretch along the historic Appalachian Trail, the world's longest hiker-only footpath.  Your guide will teach you all about the A.T. and the nearly 3,000 people who attempt to thru-hike the 2,200 miles of trail from Georgia to Maine each year.  Once we get to camp, we'll have dinner and maybe play some games before curling up in our sleeping bags for the night. (Estimated 5-10 miles hiking)

Day 3: Hike to LeConte: Today we'll get up early to start making our way to Mt. LeConte.  This is a challenging hike to the summit, where we'll check in to our private 3 bedroom log cabin.  Each bedroom has a double bunk which you'll share with another hiker in our group.  There is no electricity available for guests at the Lodge, so be ready to unplug and relax while we are here.  Dinner and breakfast will be served family style in the dining room.  A wine service is available during dinner for $14, which you can purchase on arrival.  Make sure to bring some cash to buy a souvenir or a commemorative t-shirt. (Estimated 5-8 miles hiking).  

Day 4: Kuwohi Summit: If you're feeling up to it, you can wake up early and take a short walk to Myrtle Point to watch the sunrise over the misty mountains.  After breakfast at LeConte, we'll leave the lodge and hike back to Newfound Gap.  Here we'll meet our shuttle driver and head up to Kuwohi for one last epic view of the Smokies!  Kuwohi is the tallest mountain in the Smokies and the 3rd tallest east of the Mississippi, and it has a viewing platform that boasts incredible 360 degree views of the mountains.  After descending, we'll take our shuttle back to our starting location and bid farewell.  We should be finished around mid-afternoon on the final day.

*Itinerary subject to change and based on campsite availability.

What to Bring:

Your guide will send you a detailed packing list prior to the trip, but you should expect to bring and carry your own backpacking gear.  If you don't have your own gear, we do have rentals available for an additional charge.  We recommend a 50-65 L backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, water filtration system, backpacking stove, cook kit, and weather appropriate clothing (1 outfit for hiking and 1 for sleeping).  We hike rain or shine, and the Smokies are considered a temperate rainforest! Be prepared for rain with a rain jacket or poncho.

Getting There:

If you are flying, the closest major airport is the McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa, TN, just south of Knoxville. From there, you can rent a car to get to Gatlinburg, TN, the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  While entrance to the park is free, guests are required to purchase a parking pass.  You can buy a pass online or at the visitor centers.