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Mt. Cammerer from Low Gap

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult
 4.7 (36) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Cosby
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“A wooded trail with a 360-degree view payoff on top of the mountain. ”

Christine Esswein
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Map Key

10.8

Miles

17.4

KM

Out and Back

4,999' 1,524 m

High

2,338' 712 m

Low

2,848' 868 m

Up

2,847' 868 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

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

Shared By:

Christine Esswein
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 36 votes

#1

in Cosby

#229

Overall
  4.7 from 36 votes
5 Star
72%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Cosby

#9

in North Carolina

#229

Overall
137 Views Last Month
5,381 Since Mar 9, 2016
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74%
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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).
Mar 30, 2016 near Newport, TN
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower quite literally puts you amidst the clouds.
Apr 3, 2017 near Newport, TN
This was taken from the rocks on the left just before reaching the fire tower! Incredible views!
Oct 10, 2016 near Newport, TN
A beautiful view from Mount Cammerer Fire Tower late summer August 2016!
Aug 29, 2016 near Newport, TN
Under the canopy.
Jul 29, 2016 near Newport, TN
The Low Gap Trail is smooth, yet steep through this section.
Mar 14, 2017 near Newport, TN

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Check-Ins

Oct 11, 2020
Michael Richardson
Parked at the Cosby Nature Trail site. From there, you can take the Nature Trail to the Low Gap trail (the full one mile trail, which is actually p… 12.1mi — 5h 38m
Sep 15, 2020
Michael Drabenstott
Up Low Gap, down AT and Lower Mt Cammerer. Great views along ridge and at lookout. Longer trail down was very gentle but lengthy. 15.6mi — 6h 13m
Aug 21, 2020
Amy Boylan
Jun 28, 2020
Patrick Ivey
Great day hike. Good trail signage. Very foggy when I went, will go again sometime to catch some better weather. Don't feed the bears lol 11.6mi — 4h 30m
Jul 4, 2019
Bud Allen
6h 00m
Jun 20, 2019
Skylar Martino
May 27, 2019
Thomas Mcadorey
first visit 10.8mi — 10h 00m
Mar 13, 2019
Colt Colt
13mi

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