High Balsams 35 Mile Loop - Backpacking Great Smoky Mountains
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Exploring the high ridges of the northern Great Smoky Mountains on this 2 day 35 mile loop with a total elevation gain of 7,500 feet. Starting point is Big Creek with a climb up Mount Sterling via Baxter Creek Trail. The hike continues on the Mt Sterling Ridge Trail over to the Balsam Mount Trail and then on to the Tri-Corner Knob Shelter for Day 1. Day 2 is on the Appalachian Trail for 14 miles with a side trip to Mt Cammerer, and then down Chestnut Branch to finish. Mountains along the way: Sterling, Big Cataloochee, Luftee Knob, Thermo Knob, Yonaguska, Guyout, Old Black, Cosby Knob and Cammerer. Over half the route is above 5,000 feet elevation with a max of 6,325.
www.alltrails....
Really nice hike! Love the Smokies
Thanks for watching! Will have to do that one again one day when it is less cloudy.
@@goldenblazehikes no problem. I really enjoy all the clouds and the fog in the Smokies. We have a good time making videos as well
Just checked our your channel, very nice.
@@goldenblazehikes thanks for checking it out we appreciate it!
No worries. Subbed while I was there.
Enjoyed your video, ty 4 sharing. Love the Smokies~~~God's country!
Thanks for watching! God surely blessed WNC with beauty.
No better treat than a new Golden Blaze Video... I guess Blair couldnt handle that initial climb and stayed home on the couch with a new pie (damn slacker)....Looked like a great time... Thanks for sharing.....
LOL - that was one heck of a climb up Baxter Creek. A true Smoky mountains this time around. Thanks for watching!
Nice trail. Thanks for the share.
Thanks for watching!
I enjoyed the video!
Yay! Thank you!
Nice job!
Thanks!
Just came across this video. I'm wanting to bag all the 6000' mountains in that area. I'm doing some research and am debating between Baxter Creek/Mount Sterling trail or Snake Den trail. You definitely gave me something to think about. Great video, really inspired me.
Thanks Josh. I did not bush whack to the top of any of the peaks. The Snake Den trail may be a shorter route to Guyout. The Tri-Corner Knob shelter would make a great base point if you plan on staying overnight. Beautiful area, hope you have a great trip.
Paul, thanks for sharing the trip. Looks like a great route. Definitely interested in how the tent does. Did you look at Lightheart solo tents or what went into your decisions? Also, about to buy the same pack you have moving from an Osprey Atmos to hopefully save a little weight and it's still a good deal at around $200 plus REI member dividend $. Do you still like it and feel it saved some weight and wears well? Hoping to do Foothills in a few weeks and hoping to get new pack for that trip. Thanks.
Hello Greg, good to hear from you. I plan on doing a review of the Gossamer Gear One Tent after a few more trips. Still like the Lightheart Duo, but was looking for something smaller and lighter. I did consider the other single person Lightheart Gear tents, but not that much weight savings. The new tent is almost half the weight. Still like the Osprey Exos - light and comfortable, would recommend. (Will be trying out the Gossamer Gear G4-20 in the near future.) Enjoy the Foothills. Thanks for watching!
Overall rating on the Gossamer tent.
Too early to say. Very lightweight, compact and easy to setup. Like the overall design. Had a lot of condensation, but it may have been the perfect storm (pardon the pun). It rained from 6PM to 4AM, was foggy and cold, and the tent spot near the shelter was in a hole. But I did stay dry and warm. Need a few more nights in it to form a final opinion. Will post a review later on. Thanks for watching!
Interested in learning why you are no longer using your Lightheart Gear tent. I have one just like it and am looking to replace it.
Still like my Lightheart Gear Duo, just looking for something smaller and lighter. The Gossamer Gear The One is almost half the weight.