Took the Smokies high route through Gregory Bald instead of Low Gap Trail

I was planning a 3 day trip in the Great Smoky Mountains and had to pick between the Gregory Bald Loop and the standard Low Gap out-and-back. Everyone in the forums says Low Gap is easier with better water access, but I wanted the views from the bald. I went with Gregory Bald and it was brutal on day 2 with a 2,000 foot climb in the heat. But when I got to the top around 5 PM the whole valley opened up and I could see Cades Cove way below. The wild azaleas were still blooming in early June which I didn't expect. I had to filter water from a tiny creek near the campsite which was a pain, but honestly the sunset made up for it. Has anyone else taken the high route through the balds instead of the valley trails?

2 comments

2 Comments

emery19911h ago

Oh man, that Gregory Bald climb is no joke (I learned that the hard way too). Did a similar trip back in 2019 where I went up that way in late July and thought I was going to melt into a puddle on the trail. The water situation really is a gamble up there, I remember spending a good hour trying to find a decent flow to filter from near the campsite. But seriously, getting to the top and seeing the whole valley just spread out below you, it's one of those moments where you completely forget about the brutal hike up. The azaleas are a nice bonus, I caught them in late May once and they were just starting to pop, not quite as full as you described though. Low Gap is definitely the easier call with more reliable water but you miss out on that big payoff at the top, you know?

the_simon10h ago

Wait, are you telling me you actually caught the azaleas blooming in early June? I thought those things were pretty much done by late May at best. I've done both routes a few times and I always miss the bloom by a week or two. That's wild timing. The Gregory Bald climb is no joke though, I remember doing it in August one year and I swear I drank all my water before I even got halfway up. That water filtering from a tiny creek is such a pain but you're right, the view from the top is one of those things you just can't get from the valley floor. Low Gap is definitely the safe choice but sometimes you need that brutal payoff to make the trip feel real, you know? I've never had luck with the timing on the azaleas so I'm honestly a little jealous you got to see them like that.