Shuckstack Fire Tower — Local services in Snowbird Community

Our hike this week took us to the Fontana Dam area of the GSMNP. Fontana Dam at 480' is the tallest Dam in the eastern USA. The first 3.7 mile section took us up the AT to Shuckstack Mountain and the old fire tower. Elevation gain was about 2000'. The 2.7 mile section of Lost Cove Trail gave back the 2000' in the first 2 miles. The steep ascent/descent in places really stressed our legs. The last .7 mile of Lost Cove and the first section of Lakeshore Drive Trail was full of creek crossings. Some could be easily crossed while others had to be rock hopped. Toward the end of Lakeshore we saw several old model cars on the side of the trail. This section of Lakeshore Drive Trail was a road in the 30s and part of "The Road to Nowhere" debacle. Not a long hike but very challenging with the steep accents and descents. We continue to work on our mix of foods for fuel and staying hydrated as longer hikes loom. Until next time safe 🥾...

Great trail with beautiful views of the Smokies, we saw black bears, squirrels, boar, and lots of wildflowers. We hiked from the AT trailhead fork by the Payne Cementery and walked up. Please check beforehand if you can drive all the way to the trailhead. Otherwise, Fontana Dam is almost 2 additional miles. Is a medium to strenuous hike, mostly because of the inclined terrain, mix or rocks, and mud ( we went up on a very foggy rainy day with my 14th year old son) took us 3.0 up and 2.5 going down was beautiful the fog and clouds engulfed the mountains. If you are a novice hiker plan, 4.5 hours going up, 3.5 descend. You do not want to be up there at night. If you have bad knees, bring tape and tape them. I assure you that you will blow up a knee cap if not going up, going down. Overall, it was an incredible beautiful hike. The tower and 360 views of the Smokies is the...

Incredible is an understatement. Watched one of the best sunsets of my life from the tower. Pictures/videos can barely begin to do it justice. It is quite exhilarating climbing up exposed and feeling the power of the wind. Feels a little sketchy, particularly the floor up top, but its actually quite sturdy. Nothing man made but Fontana Dam in sight in all directions as far as the eye can see. The hike up from Eagle creek that many people seem to day hike is brutal in elevation so be ready for that. I visited the tower as part of a multi-day backpacking trip in the park and approached Shuckstack from Backcountry camp #113 'Birch Spring Gap'. This was a much more manageable 1-1.5 mile hike to the tower from the camp that I would definitely recommend if it works for your itinerary. Either way go to Shuckstack you won't regret it. Hard to imagine it will be...