Great Smoky Mountain National Park - Kephart Shelter - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Great Smoky Mountain National Park - Kephart Shelter |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Nearby Town: | Cherokee |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | (Great Smoky Mountain National Park) – Several major highways lead to the park. The following routes provide access to the three main entrances. In Tennessee: 1)From I-40 take Exit 407 (Sevierville) to TN Route 66 South, and continue to U.S. 441 South. Follow U.S. 441 to the Park. 2.) From I-40 in Knoxville - Exit 386B U.S. Highway 129 South to Alcoa/Maryville. At Maryville proceed on U.S. 321 North through Townsend. Continue straight on TN Highway 73 into the park. In North Carolina: From I-40, take U.S. Route 19 West through Maggie Valley. Proceed to U.S. 441 North at Cherokee into the park. From Atlanta and points south: follow U.S. 441 and 23 North. U.S. 441 leads to the park. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 4.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easy to Moderate |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | US 441 |
| Trails Used: | Kephart Prong Trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams |
| Management: | National Park Service |
| Contact Information: | Great Smoky Mountains National Park 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 436-1200 http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Horses |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | The Great Smoky Mountain National Park encompasses 800 square miles of land and 95 percent of it is forested. The park is world renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal resources and for the beauty of its ancient mountains. Unfortunately, the majority of the people that visit the park never visit the backcountry and see some of the best wilderness in the Southeastern U.S. This backtrack hike starts at US 441 on the North Carolina side of the part and just north of the Oconoluftee Visitors Center near Cherokee. The trail follows the The Kephart Prong which is a stream that runs down from Kephart Shelter to the Newfound Gap Road (also known as US 441). The shelter sleeps 10-12 and is situated in a valley at the junctions of the Grassy Branch and Sweat Heifer Trails. |
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