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Mt. Cammerer from Low Gap

 4.7 (25)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Cosby
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Map Key

Length


10.8 Miles 17.4 Kilometers


2,848' 868 m

Ascent

-2,847' -868 m

Descent

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

4,999' 1,524 m

High

2,338' 712 m

Low

Shared By Christine Esswein

Conditions

Minor Issues 80 days ago
Snowy, Some Mud - Light snow on shady sides, melting into trail in places to make goo. History
Getting forecast...

“A wooded trail with a 360-degree view payoff on top of the mountain.”

— Christine Esswein
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views

Overview

A wooded ascent via the Low Gap Trail and Appalachian Trail (AT) will lead visitors to the 360-degree view atop the Mt Cammerer at the fire lookout tower. The mountain sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina border.

Description

This route begins with three miles of the Low Gap Trail before connecting with the Appalachian Trail (AT). The Low Gap Trail section has the most elevation gain and a couple of easy streams to cross as it follows the side of the mountain. There are multiple cutbacks as you wind your way up to the Appalachian Trail (AT) which offer some nice views of the area through the trees.

There is a small clearing at the Appalachian Trail (AT) junction and few large rocks which make a great resting spot. Once you start along the Appalachian Trail (AT) there is less elevation gain along the top ridge of the mountain. The trail is wooded and sometimes tunnel like until you reach the summit. There is some scrambling at the peak to climb to the lookout tower.

This trail can also be done on horseback, and there is a tie up for the horses right before going out to the outcropping where the tower is.

The summit of Mt. Cammerer sits on the edge of a rocky outcropping overlooking the Pigeon River Gorge at almost 5,000 feet.

History & Background

The octagonal fire lookout at the summit of Mt. Cammerer was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp.

Contacts

Local Club: Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Nov 4, 2018
Paul Warner
Beautiful fall hike.
Oct 30, 2018
Allison Park
Amazing weather and trail condition for this hike! Beautiful views, and absolutely worth the work to get up (and back down) again! 11mi
Oct 27, 2018
Melissa Maddux
Oct 7, 2018
Angela Newman
Doesn't account for ~30 min at outlook. Beautiful views, the elevation gain was worth it! 11.2mi
Aug 11, 2018
Adam Socha
12.3mi — 4h 40m
Jun 30, 2018
Daniel Foster
12mi
Jun 2, 2018
Kimberly Napier
Jun 1, 2018
Kimberly Napier
Hike with Jamie. Begin time 8:25

Stewarded By

Stewarded by Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 25 votes

#1

in Cosby

#201

Overall
  4.7 from 25 votes
5 Star
72%
4 Star
24%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Cosby

#7

in North Carolina

#201

Overall
194 Views Last Month
3,289 Since Mar 9, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
4%
13%
48%
26%
9%
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Photos

Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower - located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Appalachian Trail. For a day hike, start at Cosby Campground and take Lower Gap Trail ( about 11.1 miles r/t).
Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower - located in the Great…
 8
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower quite literally puts you amidst the clouds.
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower quite literally pu…
 5
This was taken from the rocks on the left just before reaching the fire tower! Incredible views!
This was taken from the rocks on the left just…
 6
A beautiful view from Mount Cammerer Fire Tower late summer August 2016!
A beautiful view from Mount Cammerer Fire Tower…
 8
Under the canopy.
Under the canopy.
 5
The Low Gap Trail is smooth, yet steep through this section.
The Low Gap Trail is smooth, yet steep through…
 4

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