Mt. Cammerer from Low Gap
Trail
10.8 mile
17.4 kilometer
out and back
Intermediate/Difficult
Elevation
Ascent:
2,848'
868 m
Descent: -2,847' -868 m
High: 4,999' 1,524 m
Low: 2,338' 712 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 10% (6°)
Max Grade: 36% (20°)
Dogs
No Dogs
Weather
All Clear
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“A wooded trail with a 360-degree view payoff on top of the mountain.”
— Christine Esswein
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.
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.
Hiked this trail?
We need help with the following missing trail information:
Family Friendly, ADA Accessible, Need to Know, Flora & Fauna
Contacts
Local Club: Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Check-Ins
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 7, 2018
Angela Newman
Doesn't account for ~30 min at outlook. Beautiful views, the elevation gain was worth it!
11.2mi
Mar 24, 2018
Garret Ward
This hike was long, hiked above clouds. Full fog at top. Dex had bathroom issues. Hiked the AT for some
10mi
Oct 14, 2017
Matthew Colin
11.42 miles from the parking lot below the camping check in station up to the Lookout and back. Approximately the first 4 miles is all uphill.
11.4mi
Jul 5, 2017
jeff.vanlandingham@gmail.com Vanlandingham
From lower parking area; Larry Frederick
11.2mi
Jul 2, 2017
Judy Ulman Hintz
We left from Cosby campground along the Low Gap trail. That first 2.9 miles was strenuous and required many stops for our 7 year old. Our 10 year...
10.8mi
Dec 29, 2016
David Hitchcock
Hiked from Low Gap to the Mount Cammerer. The Lookout Tower was great, very windy up there. Lots of climbing up, hard on the knees on the way down.
11.2mi
Oct 17, 2016
Tommy Scalf
Beautiful hike up a nice valley. Fairly easy climb to Mt. Cammerer. Do this hike!
Aug 27, 2016
James Smith
A little exploration around the fire tower and other places added some distance.
12mi
—
7h 06m
Jan 2, 2016
Sharon Houston
Hiked alone on a cold winters day. Vigorous hike with steep incline up Low Gap Trail. Once on top at AT, going much easier. View spectacular!
10.8mi
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