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blueBlack Mt. Cammerer from Low Gap

FEATURED
  4.7 ( 27 )
FEATURED
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  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Cosby
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Trail

10.8 mile 17.4 kilometer out and back
Singletrack
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
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Trail shared by Christine Esswein

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Minor Issues 89 days ago See History

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

— Christine Esswein
GPX File

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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Check-Ins

May 27, 2019
Thomas Mcadorey
first visit 10.8mi — 10h 00m
Mar 13, 2019
Colt Colt
13mi
Mar 7, 2019
Seth Killingsworth
5h 42m
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

Stewarded By

Stewarded by Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 27 votes

#1

in Cosby

#223

Overall
  4.7 from 27 votes
5 Star
70%
4 Star
26%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Cosby

#8

in North Carolina

#223

Overall
99 Views Last Month
3,856 Since Mar 9, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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4%
13%
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25%
8%
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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…
 9
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…
 8
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower quite literally puts you amidst the clouds.
Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower quite literally pu…
 7
A beautiful view from Mount Cammerer Fire Tower late summer August 2016!
A beautiful view from Mount Cammerer Fire Tower…
 10
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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