cascadescrambler - Sep 5, 2019 11:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 1960
AT
Stopped there on the way north on the AT
technicolorNH - Nov 20, 2018 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2018
from Cosby
Two hours and twenty minutes up the nice trail from the campground. A good trail to do some running on, even with the ice in shaded areas. Recommended by the chap I saw two days earlier on Mt Sterling.
Had a nice hike from the Low Gap Trail (which is VERY steep) to the summit. Lots of fog but it was still beautiful nonetheless (I loved seeing the fog roll over the mountain tops). The lookout is a great place to rest/enjoy a snack/chat with some fellow hikers. I'd love to head back here in the fall to see the views.
mlandau3 - Nov 7, 2016 1:59 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2016
Pretty Steep From Cosby Campground
Beautiful day and lots of folks hiking the trail.
Sarah Simon - Sep 27, 2015 4:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2015
AT NoBo
To say this hike is worth the side trip is an understatement! The views from the top are jaw dropping and the historical structure is fun to investigate. Make sure you either carry or hang / can your food at the junction - lots of bear activity in this neck of the woods.
Tom, I don't think we ate lunch at the top (I think we ate a snack). If I remember correctly, we ate lunch in a grass spot on the AT. We were sprawled out along the AT and the ultra lightweight day hiker came by and scoffed at us with our big bulky packs!
tioga - Aug 7, 2012 10:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2012
Last Day of AT
Summitted on the last day of our 4 day trek along the AT in the smokies. Ate lunch and enjoyed the wonderful view from the top.
friday - Aug 10, 2009 2:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Got there a bit too late for the cameras
Started late from Cosby Campground around 6PM (I had to eat my wife's cooking first, or suffer consequences!). Took the low gap trail, intersected with the AT trail, and then onto the overlook. I got to rocks below the tower just as sun was ducking behind the clouds. By the time I pulled my camera and tripod out, the sun had completely set for the night. But, I still had great views, maybe a tad hazy, of the surrounding areas. I descended with headlamps back to the campground and to a nice sleeping bag.
Cortez - Nov 11, 2008 10:31 am Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
Mt. Cammerer Via Low Gap/AT
This was a beautiful late fall hike in the Smokies. There were a lot of people on the trail and the lookout tower was full of hikers eating lunch. Terrific views!!
Climbed for the Carolina Mtn. Club's LFT Challenge.
Tyler W Wagland - Aug 31, 2008 3:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
Cammerer Loop Hike
My son Dan (formerly known as "The Iron Hiker") and I headed out from the BIG Creek Ranger Station for what would become a 16-mile loop hike- the highlight of which was the imposing Mt Cammerer. The Big Creek trail was our starting point; we completed the loop on the Chestnut Branch Trail. Solitude was the word for most of the day. A pair of hikers in the morning, another pair in the afternoon, and a solitary "Thru-Hiker" (all of NC, heading S) were the sum total of our HUMAN encounters. The trail to the LOOKOUT (NOT a "tower", by definition!) actually DESCENDED toward the end- seemingly contradictory for a "mountain", but logical when one realizes Cammerer is located at the end of a long ridge. It's unique in that sense. Our return was unevental until we were about 4 miles from the end of our beautiful August day in the Smokies. We surprised three bears- one medium size, 2 smaller (sow & cubs?) on the A.T. Not even time for a quick photo- they were there- then gone! About 5 minutes later, another surprise- a 4-foot rattlesnake- just to the left of the trail. I heard the rattling- luckily- from about 15 feet away- and snapped off 3 pics as it casually slithered across the trail. We were noticeably more alert for the balance of the hike!
eric-griz - Aug 20, 2008 7:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2008
Nice hike
A nice stroll from Big Creek Ranger Station, up Chestnut Branch Trail, AT south, to Mt. Cammerer Trail.
Stu Brandel - Dec 17, 2007 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 1997
Cammerer Friendly
A great trip up to this beautiful tower. On the way down we had the heck scared out of us by some thrashing and angry sounds ripping out of some thick brush. After much cringing we realized a buck had caught his horns in the saplings - he soon launched himself onto our trail to the dropping of two jaws.
Chad Couch - Sep 14, 2007 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
From Cosby Campground
Marc and I hiked the Low Gap Trail from Cosby Campground. Very humid and hazy day, so the views were not great. Still a great hike though, and saw only a few people on the trail.
st_mcchristi - May 9, 2007 12:02 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2006
Spring break trip
Went up with a few friends who hadnt been to the mountains before, had a great time, great views!
Route Climbed: Approached from the Low Gap Trail Date Climbed: January 15, 2006
It seems that nasty weather is typical for this place. Arrived on the 14th to six inches of snow on the ground. As we made our way to Campground 37, it continued to snow and get much, much colder. Visibility went practically to zero by dinner time.
Woke up in the AM with most of our tents and bivy sacks covered in snow, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Excellent views were to be found once we kick-stepped our way to the top, and the long descent kept us warm.
Highly recommended trip as the watch tower at the top cannot be beat.
Route Climbed: Chestnut Br Trail to Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: April 23, 2005
It was some of the nastiest weather that I have ever faced in the east. I had absolutely no view and could only see about 10 feet in front of me. By reading the trail registry at the summit, I can only imagine there is a wonderful view.
cascadescrambler - Sep 5, 2019 11:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 1960
ATStopped there on the way north on the AT
technicolorNH - Nov 20, 2018 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2018
from CosbyTwo hours and twenty minutes up the nice trail from the campground. A good trail to do some running on, even with the ice in shaded areas. Recommended by the chap I saw two days earlier on Mt Sterling.
captain.ron - Sep 10, 2018 8:45 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2018
cimbed the Low Gap trailanother great hike in the GSMNP
AliMc929 - Jul 28, 2018 5:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2018
From Low Gap TrailHad a nice hike from the Low Gap Trail (which is VERY steep) to the summit. Lots of fog but it was still beautiful nonetheless (I loved seeing the fog roll over the mountain tops). The lookout is a great place to rest/enjoy a snack/chat with some fellow hikers. I'd love to head back here in the fall to see the views.
mlandau3 - Nov 7, 2016 1:59 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2016
Pretty Steep From Cosby CampgroundBeautiful day and lots of folks hiking the trail.
Sarah Simon - Sep 27, 2015 4:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2015
AT NoBoTo say this hike is worth the side trip is an understatement! The views from the top are jaw dropping and the historical structure is fun to investigate. Make sure you either carry or hang / can your food at the junction - lots of bear activity in this neck of the woods.
wanderweg83 - Feb 1, 2014 11:19 am
Great views!Part of a multi-day trip with 3 friends. Phenomenal views of the surrounding mountains.
TiogaBradford - Nov 25, 2012 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2012
Another Great ViewAnother awesome view. Details same as Tioga's (below)
TiogaBradford - Nov 25, 2012 6:00 pm
Re: Last Day of ATTom, I don't think we ate lunch at the top (I think we ate a snack). If I remember correctly, we ate lunch in a grass spot on the AT. We were sprawled out along the AT and the ultra lightweight day hiker came by and scoffed at us with our big bulky packs!
tioga - Aug 7, 2012 10:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2012
Last Day of ATSummitted on the last day of our 4 day trek along the AT in the smokies. Ate lunch and enjoyed the wonderful view from the top.
friday - Aug 10, 2009 2:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Got there a bit too late for the camerasStarted late from Cosby Campground around 6PM (I had to eat my wife's cooking first, or suffer consequences!). Took the low gap trail, intersected with the AT trail, and then onto the overlook. I got to rocks below the tower just as sun was ducking behind the clouds. By the time I pulled my camera and tripod out, the sun had completely set for the night. But, I still had great views, maybe a tad hazy, of the surrounding areas. I descended with headlamps back to the campground and to a nice sleeping bag.
Cortez - Nov 11, 2008 10:31 am Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
Mt. Cammerer Via Low Gap/ATThis was a beautiful late fall hike in the Smokies. There were a lot of people on the trail and the lookout tower was full of hikers eating lunch. Terrific views!!
Climbed for the Carolina Mtn. Club's LFT Challenge.
Tyler W Wagland - Aug 31, 2008 3:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
Cammerer Loop HikeMy son Dan (formerly known as "The Iron Hiker") and I headed out from the BIG Creek Ranger Station for what would become a 16-mile loop hike- the highlight of which was the imposing Mt Cammerer. The Big Creek trail was our starting point; we completed the loop on the Chestnut Branch Trail. Solitude was the word for most of the day. A pair of hikers in the morning, another pair in the afternoon, and a solitary "Thru-Hiker" (all of NC, heading S) were the sum total of our HUMAN encounters. The trail to the LOOKOUT (NOT a "tower", by definition!) actually DESCENDED toward the end- seemingly contradictory for a "mountain", but logical when one realizes Cammerer is located at the end of a long ridge. It's unique in that sense. Our return was unevental until we were about 4 miles from the end of our beautiful August day in the Smokies. We surprised three bears- one medium size, 2 smaller (sow & cubs?) on the A.T. Not even time for a quick photo- they were there- then gone! About 5 minutes later, another surprise- a 4-foot rattlesnake- just to the left of the trail. I heard the rattling- luckily- from about 15 feet away- and snapped off 3 pics as it casually slithered across the trail. We were noticeably more alert for the balance of the hike!
eric-griz - Aug 20, 2008 7:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2008
Nice hikeA nice stroll from Big Creek Ranger Station, up Chestnut Branch Trail, AT south, to Mt. Cammerer Trail.
Stu Brandel - Dec 17, 2007 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 1997
Cammerer FriendlyA great trip up to this beautiful tower. On the way down we had the heck scared out of us by some thrashing and angry sounds ripping out of some thick brush. After much cringing we realized a buck had caught his horns in the saplings - he soon launched himself onto our trail to the dropping of two jaws.
Chad Couch - Sep 14, 2007 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
From Cosby CampgroundMarc and I hiked the Low Gap Trail from Cosby Campground. Very humid and hazy day, so the views were not great. Still a great hike though, and saw only a few people on the trail.
st_mcchristi - May 9, 2007 12:02 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2006
Spring break tripWent up with a few friends who hadnt been to the mountains before, had a great time, great views!
jvarholak - Mar 4, 2007 7:16 pm
AT thru hikequick 1/2 mile side trip off AT during 1976 thru hike....nice views from tower
Aeldrin - Jan 16, 2006 12:33 pm
Route Climbed: Approached from the Low Gap Trail Date Climbed: January 15, 2006It seems that nasty weather is typical for this place. Arrived on the 14th to six inches of snow on the ground. As we made our way to Campground 37, it continued to snow and get much, much colder. Visibility went practically to zero by dinner time.
Woke up in the AM with most of our tents and bivy sacks covered in snow, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Excellent views were to be found once we kick-stepped our way to the top, and the long descent kept us warm.
Highly recommended trip as the watch tower at the top cannot be beat.
Tbacon251 - Apr 25, 2005 1:00 am
Route Climbed: Chestnut Br Trail to Appalachian Trail Date Climbed: April 23, 2005It was some of the nastiest weather that I have ever faced in the east. I had absolutely no view and could only see about 10 feet in front of me. By reading the trail registry at the summit, I can only imagine there is a wonderful view.