Smokies Benton MacKaye Trail
Backpacking Trip
October 2-7, 2022
Includes lodging at the Appalachian Trail-er on October 1, 2022
The Benton MacKaye Trail is a sister trail to the Appalachian Trail, running 318 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The northern portion of the trail - 93 miles - lies within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it the longest trail in the park. We'll spend 6 days hiking the northernmost 54 miles, from the Road to Nowhere to Big Creek. This trip will hike along ridgelines (including 7 peaks over 4,000 ft and Mt Sterling at 5,842 ft) and many creek crossings (expect to get wet!). This is a challenging trip with approximately 11,000 ft of total elevation gain, ideal for those who have previous backpacking experience or high levels of fitness.
"We are glad we chose BRHC and hope to take other hikes and trips with BRHC in the future. I have taken many outdoor
trips --hiking and biking in the U.S. and in Europe. Our guide was the best guide I and my son have ever had --he was
knowledgeable, friendly, did everything to make us enjoy the experience and tailor to our needs in general and in the moment.
This made all the difference --BRHC will be our touring Company going forward." -S.P., Private Backpacking Trip, July 2021
Cost:
$1215 per person
Scholarships and Sliding Scale Fees are available for this trip. Please contact us at trips@blueridgehikingco.com for more information.
This trip will run if there are a minimum of 2 participants signed up. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll contact participants two weeks before the trip to discuss options. The maximum group size is 5 participants. If you are traveling in a party of 4 or more hikers, we encourage you to consider a private backpacking trip. You can find more information about our private trip offerings by sending us an email.
In addition to your guide, the price includes backpacking gear for the trip, all on-trail food (Sunday lunch through Friday lunch), transportation between the meet-up location and the trailhead, any necessary backcountry permits, and lodging the night before the trip. Price also includes an insulated mug for each hiker. It does not include personal items or gratuity for your guide.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the trip start date (October 2nd). You will find the trip listed there.
Before the start of the trip, we will be in contact via email with an information packet and a form for you to fill out. This form includes a waiver, health form, and information about gear needs and dietary restrictions. Please complete and return this form at your earliest convenience. The information packet also includes an itinerary of your trip and a packing list.
Itinerary:
Trip meets at 8am on Sunday October 2 in Hot Springs, NC
You will meet your guide at the Appalachian Trail-er for a pack shakedown. Your guide will hand out your gear, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. They'll walk you through how to properly pack your pack, and may look in detail at the items you've packed to make sure you're not carrying too many extra items.
You will park your vehicle in Hot Springs and then take a shuttle around 10am to the Road to Nowhere in Bryson City, NC, where you will start your hike. The shuttle time is approximately 2 hours. Daily mileage ranges from 5-6 miles for the first and last day, and 9-13 miles for the full days on trail. Total mileage is approximately 57 miles. On Day 3, your group will meet a resupply vehicle to bring food and a change of shoes/clothes for the second half of your trip. You'll finish your hike at the Big Creek Trailhead, where you'll be shuttled an hour back to Hot Springs. Expect a total elevation gain of approximately 18,000ft, and several unbridged creek crossings (you will get your feet wet!). This is a challenging itinerary! Hikers wishing to join this trip should be able to day hike 17 miles (with a normal day pack) and be able to climb 10 flights of stairs without taking a break. Some previous backpacking experience is ideal but not required.
This hike generally finished around early afternoon the last day. Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to weather, trail conditions, campsite availability in the National Park, and participants needs and abilities. Please inform our admin team or your guide aead of time if you have a time constraints the last day of your trip.
Elevation profile created with Gaia GPS.
Trip Difficulty Rating:
Participants on this trip should have a minimum fitness level of 6 out of 10, and this trip is ideally suited for hikers with a fitness level of 7-8 out of 10. This is an Intermediate to Advanced trip, meaning hikers should have some previous backpacking experience, and are very comfortable on trail. This trail is very remote with a lot of elevation gain. For more information about our difficulty and experience level ratings, please see our blog - we've written posts explaining how we describe fitness levels, experience levels, and how to tell if a trip distance is right for you.
Guide:
Your guide for this trip is Tanner Miller. Originally from the rural hills of Eastern Kentucky, Tanner decided to move to Asheville after his 2021 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Before his life altering adventure, he graduated with a degree in politics and history at the University of Kentucky. He loves to listen to Bluegrass music, watch sports, and check out Asheville's many breweries. Tanner plans to continue his long-distance hiking endeavors by attempting the PCT in the next couple of years.
What we Provide:
Food: BRHC provides all on-trail food. Your guide will pass out the food for your trip on the first morning. You will be expected to carry your own individually packaged food (such as oatmeal packets) and some shared community items (such as a jar of peanut butter or a block of cheese). We try to cater to dietary requests, but options are limited because it is important to keep food lightweight. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, please notify your guide ahead of time.
Individual Use Gear: BRHC provides high quality, ultralight, cottage industry backpacking gear to make your experience as comfortable as possible. We offer the following five pieces of gear at no additional cost:
Backpacks - We use a lightweight 60L pack. We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you.
Tents - We have one-person tents and two-person tents available. Please let us know if you would like to share with a friend or if you are willing to share with another hiker, and we will do our best to accommodate these requests.
Sleeping Bags - We use a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. We also have liners available.
Sleeping Pads - These will insulate you from the ground and provide some cushion and comfort.
Trekking Poles - These will provide you with some added stability while hiking, and may be used to set up your tent.
Community Gear: BRHC provides all community gear for the trip, including water filters and back-up chemical treatment; camping stoves and fuel; bowls, spoons, and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; and map and compass.
What to Bring:
We will send all participants a detailed packing list before the trip. You are expected to bring your own clothing, personal gear (such as headlamps and water bottles), medications, and approved optional items. We will send a detailed packing list with your trip information packet after you book. Generally, comfortable walking shoes are better than heavy hiking boots. Please do not pack any cotton - if it gets wet, it does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm. Athletic clothes are a good option. You will need only one outfit to hike in and one outfit to sleep in, plus a raincoat, and a warm layer. You will not need a new set of clean clothes each day. We recommend bringing at least 1 hard-sided plastic water bottle (ex: Nalgene) to use as a hot water bottle in your tent/sleeping bag if overnight temperatures are cold. You will not need any make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
COVID Safety Information:
We follow all local, state, and federal COVID safety guidelines. As those guidelines change, our policies may change. Currently, all hikers joining a Group Backpacking Trip will be expected to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID -or- a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of when they arrive for their trip. Masks will be optional during pack shakedown and in our shuttle vehicle.
If you have questions about our procedures or would like specific precautions to be taken, please contact our office at 828-713-5451 or trips@blueridgehikingco.com.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather.
We hike rain or shine! While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times. Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness. With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25 lbs (or no more than 25% of your body weight).
If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach us by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.