Deep Creek Mountain Traverse
Fall Hiking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 28MI / 45KM
Trip Highlights
This trek into the North Carolina Appalachian Wilderness has it all: fantastic views, famous grassy balds, sparkling mountain creeks, diverse ecosystems, amazing historic sites and plunging waterfalls. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Smokies or a veteran, this trip is sure to inspire you!
Part of what makes this trip unique is we begin our hike from the highest point in the Park, Kuwohi (previously known as “Clingman’s Dome”) at 6,643 feet. Over the course of our four days we’ll hike over Andrews Bald (one of the most impressive backcountry viewpoints in the Smokies), explore multiple ecosystems shaped by a turbulent and fascinating geologic past, traverse remote and majestic river valleys, See a variety of beautiful waterfalls, and visit unforgettable historic sites.
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Smokies' Tallest Mountain
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High Mountain Meadows
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Pristine Rivers & Creeks
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Plunging Waterfalls
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Fascinating History
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Stunning Views
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Fall Hiking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 9.5 miles -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip has moderately strenuous hiking distances and elevation gains each day. Be prepared for relatively long days on the trail as we cover up to 10 miles per day. This trip has significant elevation gains and losses, but larger losses. Day 1 is 3500′ descent over 8.5 miles.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 2-hour drive
Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 3500 feet
This multi-day Great Smoky Mountains backpacking trip begins at Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in the Park. After taking in the views from the observation tower at Clingman’s we’ll do a final fitting with our packs and set off down the trail. Our first stop is at Andrews Bald, one of the Smoky Mountains’ most famous backcountry viewpoints.
From Andrews Bald, we’ll backtrack a short distance and drop into the headwaters of Forney Creek, losing thousands of feet of elevation as we descend through changing forests. We will pass a beautiful cascade and, depending on water levels, will ford the creek several times on our way to our night’s camp on the banks of a charming mountain creek.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 9.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 1950 feet
Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
Today starts with one of our hearty Appalachian backcountry breakfasts prepared by your guide. After breaking camp we’ll continue our hike down Forney Creek, crossing it multiple times. After some hiking we’ll pass the historic site of the Bee Gum Civilian Conservation Corps Camp from the early-mid 20th century.
Eventually we’ll begin a climb up to a forested ridgeline. We’ll take a break at the crest and enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by your guide. From our lunch spot it’s another 2.8 miles to our second night’s camp along the shores of majestic Noland Creek.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 8.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1700 feet
Elevation Loss: 1850 feet
After breaking camp we’ll continue our hike up Noland Creek, crossing often via log footpaths, rock hopping and wading. Between these crossings the history of the Smokies come to life as we hike past old fish hatchery ruins, the Mill Creek School site, the historical park boundary (before the 1940’s), and long-abandoned logging areas.
Eventually we’ll begin hiking up to the Noland Divide at Upper Sassafras Gap. At the Gap we will reward ourselves with a much-deserved, very tasty lunch. After lunch, we’ll continue hiking another 3.5 miles past fascinating rock outcroppings and waterfall vistas to our third and final night’s camp in the intensely scenic valley of Deep Creek.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 600 feet
Shuttle to Asheville: 1.5-hour drive
On the last day of our Appalachian adventure we’ll travel down one of the first trails built after the formation of the park. Engineer R.P. White considered it one of his best, and we agree! An intensely diverse forest, mesmerizing stream valley scenery, waterfalls and moderate hiking make this a perfect end to an amazing trek.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Asheville, North Carolina to the trailhead and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Great Smoky Mountains NP
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at the Holiday Inn in downtown Asheville (standard rooms are $99-$140 for our guests, 828-225-5550) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at the Holiday Inn. Your guide will then pick you up the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Great Smoky Mountains Tours your guide can meet you at any hotel in Asheville at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Asheville, NC
All North Carolina trips begin and end from Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville has an airport served by Allegiant Air, Delta, United, and US Airways. One can also fly into Greenville, South Carolina or Charlotte, North Carolina and drive to Asheville. It is a 1.5-hour drive from Greenville to Asheville and a 2-hour drive from Charlotte on good roads.
FROM ASHEVILLE AIRPORT
Asheville Airport Express (http://www.ashevilleairportexpress.com, 828-231-1053) and Harry’s Car Service run (828-774-8178) shuttles to and from downtown. Also a number of taxis are usually available on the curb in the Arrivals area.
FROM GREENVILLE/CHARLOTTE
Asheville Airport Express also runs daily vans from Charlotte and Greenville to Asheville.
CAR RENTALS
Avis: 800-331-1212; Hertz 800-654- 3131; National: 800-227-7368; Thrifty: 800-367-2277; Alamo: 800-327-9633
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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