AT Day 19: Out of the Smokies to Snowbird Mtn

Daily Miles: 20.6, Total Miles: 246.8

It was cold last night and everything in my tent was frosty this morning. But what a beautiful sunrise from my helipad campsite. Fortunately no one came by last night because they may have tripped on my tent guy lines.

All that elevation that was gained in the GSMNP was lost today as I wound down the mountains and exited the NP. I reached I-40 and crossing Pigeon River at below 1,500 ft’.

Still a really nice hike down through different vegetation zones with glimpses and silhouettes of the Smokies through the trees.

The trail up the other side came close to Standing Bear Hostel so I took a short detour to check it out. They have bunks, small cabins and a little store that seemed popular and convenient for hikers. I settled for a Dr Pepper and ice cream, then loaded up on water for a long uphill push.

Five miles later and 2,500 ft higher, I found a nice campsite past Snowbird Mountain.