Gregory Bald/Twentymile Loop

Hike Name: Gregory Bald/Twentymile Loop Location: southwest NC Length: 20 Submitted by: D. Lake Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more North Carolina trail reviews North Carolina national parks North Carolina state parks
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Description
In early April 2005 we started at Twentymile Ranger station (fill out permit). After .5 miles we took the left fork and had 4 unexpectedly difficult stream crossings before reaching backcountry site #95.

Next day we had a tough, steady climb to Parson's Bald then Sheep Pen Gap, which is an awesome high country campsite(elevation 4,640). We didn’t want to leave it. We saw plenty of deer and at night, the lights from the city of Maryville, TN made a beautiful backdrop.

On day 3 after .5 miles from Sheep Pen Gap, we paused for a long time on Gregory Bald, which had spectacular vistas including Cades Cove and back the other direction to the Little Tenn. River. You’ll want to stay there all day! From there we marched 3.2 miles on Gregory Bald Trail (which is a great ridgeline trail with great views that time of year) on to the AT trail and then headed south planning to stay at Birch Spring Gap campsite #113. In a 3.1-mile stretch, we crossed paths with about 18 northbound AT hikers. We had nice chats with about half of them.

When we arrived at #113 we were completely fatigued & disappointed. Unfortunately the layout of that site is awful. So, after taking a 45 min. rest we decided to risk going on to site number 93 on Twentymile loop trail. Fortunately, it turned out that Twentymile Trail is an old jeep road and was the easiest way down from the high county. Although we did trot over 10 miles that day, it was worth it because backcountry site # 93, although small, was peacefully positioned right next to Twentymile Creek.

Finally, day four was a breeze because all we had was a short 1.5-mile hike to the car. We even had plenty of time to linger at the beautiful Twentymile Cascade, shower at the Dam and still easily made the lunch buffet at the Dillard House in Dillard GA.

Directions to Hike
7 miles west of Fontana Village & Fontana Dam on SR28. Start a Twentymile Ranger Station

Contact Information
www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

Call 865-436-1297 for backcountry campsite reservations (Only Sheep Pen Gap #13 requires a reservation)

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