Tips for a safe winter hike in the Smokies 

A few tips:

Dress in layers and have protection for your hands and head

 It’s easy to get cold in the mountains even when the temperatures aren’t that low because of the moisture in the air and from sweating. Staying dry is one of the keys to staying warm. It’s important to remove layers when you’re sweating up hills and then putting them back on when you’ve cooled down. Keep gloves and a hat in your pack so you always have them with you.  

Pay attention to sunrise/sunset times

With shortening daylight hours, it’s important to be aware when it gets dark so that you’re off trail well ahead of that time.

Be aware of incoming weather events

The NPS often preemptively closes roads due to incoming high winds or ice/snow well ahead of the storm hitting so that people are off the roads before the weather arrives. Plan low elevation hikes on roads that are seldom closed when inclement weather is anticipated that evening or into the next day. This will help you avoid being caught on the other side of the mountain behind a closed gate.