Mt. Cammerer FireTower In The GSMNP

Mount Cammerer is a mountain on the northeastern fringe of the Great Smoky Mountains, in the Southeastern United States. The mountain is situated on the state line between Cocke County, Tennessee and Haywood County, North Carolina. The Appalachian Trail traverses Cammerer's south slope and a restored fire lookout at the summit offers panoramic views of the eastern Smokies, Cocke County, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Although a narrow ridge connects Mt. Cammerer to a nearby higher knob, leaving Cammerer with a very low topographic prominence, the mountain is clearly visible not only from the surrounding mountains, but from various points in the town of Cosby and along I-40 as it crosses Cocke County. Mt. Cammerer is a popular hiking destination, especially in Autumn, when the leaves of the trees in the forest around the mountain blaze red, orange and yellow for as far as the eye can see.

History --

Mount Cammerer was named for Arno B. Cammerer, Director of the National Park Service (1933–1940) and an instrumental figure in establishing a national park in the Great Smoky Mountains. Before its renaming, Mt. Cammerer was known as "White Rock," referring to the bright white rocks that burst through the treeline at the summit. On some North Carolina maps, Mt. Cammerer is called "Sharptop". At least one story tells of a lightning blast that cut a hole in the summit, leaving a pool of water that attracted ravens.

Throughout the late-19th century and early 20th-century, moonshining was rampant in the area around Mt. Cammerer, as what was then a virgin wilderness provided the perfect cover for the illegal stills. Most residents in the area, however, were law-abiding mountain farmers, as described in local resident Mary Bell Smith's In the Shadow of the White Rock. Ella Costner, designated by the state of Tennessee as the "poet laureate of the Smokies," was born in the area of what is today the Cosby Campground, at the base of Mt. Cammerer. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a camp at the base of the mountain, and constructed most of the trails and overlooks in the area.

The lookout at the summit of Mt. Cammerer was built by the CCC in 1937, using nearby rock and timber (other materials had to be hauled up the mountain). The tower was manned by a fire ranger until the 1960s, after which it fell into disrepair before being restored in 1996.

Hiking Routes --

The quickest route to the summit of Mt. Cammerer is to ascend the Low Gap Trail from the Cosby Campground to the Appalachian Trail at Low Gap. From Low Gap, it's just over two miles to the Mt. Cammerer Trail, which follows the ridge a half-mile or so to the summit. The total distance from the Cosby Campground to the summit is just over five miles.

The Lower Mount Cammerer Trail follows the mountain's northern base over a seven-mile up-and-down trail before intersecting the Appalachian Trail near Davenport Gap. Most hikers who use this route make the following loop: Cosby Campground , Lower Mount Cammerer Trail , Appalachian Trail , Cosby Campground. The Appalachian Trail intersects the Mount Cammerer tower trail along this route. The total distance, including the tower trail, is appx. 15 miles.

Multiple hiking trails, horse trails, and walkways intersect at the Cosby Campground, which can lead to confusion. From the parking lot (near the campground), one path leads east to the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail. To reach the Low Gap Trail, simply follow the path parallel to Cosby Creek. Both trails are marked.

Hike To Shuckstack Fire Tower

Directions to Trailhead:

The Shuckstack lookout tower is located on the North Carolina side of the Park. From Bryson City, take NC 28 to Fontana Dam. Drive across the dam and take a right at the fork of the paved road. The trail to Shuckstack begins about 0.6 mile from the dam. To reach the Shuckstack fire tower you'll be following the Appalachian Trail as it heads north into the Great Smoky Mountains.

Trail Description:

The Fontana Dam is the highest dam east of the Rocky Mountains. Towering 480 feet in height, the dam backs water for 30 miles and is a major source of energy for the Tennessee Valley. As you cross the dam, scan the mountains to the north and you should be able to make out the tower in the distance.
Once on the Appalachian Trail, you'll begin a fairly challenging ascent of Twentymile Ridge, as it climbs more than 2100 feet over the next 3.5 miles, with most of that elevation gain coming in the first two-and-a-half miles.
The trail begins to ascend nearly from the start. At around two-and-a-half the trail begins to level considerably, making your hike much easier for the next half mile or so. Then, about a quarter of a mile from the tower, you'll encounter your steepest (but short) climb. Once on Twentymile Ridge, you'll encounter a three-way intersection. The AT is marked with simple white line blazed on the trees, while the path to the tower is marked with a white "T". Take a right here - the tower is only a tenth of a mile from this junction.

The Shuckstack fire tower is actually a small wood and metal building perched atop a winding eighty-foot staircase. The view from the rocks at the bottom of the fire tower is incredible, but the view from atop is much better. As you begin to climb the tower you'll notice that it moves ever so slightly, but don't be alarmed. Wind continuously blows across this ridge, and the tower is made to give a little. At the top you'll be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view. The Unicoi Mountains can be seen to the west, the Snowbird and Nantahala Mountains to the south, the Blue Ridge Mountains to the southeast, and the Smokies to the east and north. You'll also be able to make out Fontana Dam and all of the land you covered on your way to the tower.

The historic fire towers of the Great Smoky Mountains region were once used to gain a bird's eye view of the mountains in order to spot forest fires. Though many of the towers have been removed as more modern methods of fire detection have been developed, Shuckstack and three other towers remain in the Smokies.

There's some uncertainty about the future of the Shuckstack Lookout Tower, however. The source of this uncertainty stems from a statement made by park officials:
"Since the use of Shuckstack as part of the radio system has been discontinued, park management will need to make a decision about the need for and future of this tower."

 These days the Shuckstack tower has fallen into disrepair. Several loose steps and a missing railing make the 60-foot climb a little frightening, and those who reach its top find holes and a partially rotted floor. Obviously, the steel tower is in desperate need of restoration.

Hiking up the Appalachian Trail to Shuckstack Fire Tower

Oh No I have been shot ! ( Look at knots for eyes and the cicle mouth and looks like tree was shot )

One of Atti's friends a frog on the trail

Look hard and you will see a old mans face in this tree !

Shuckstack Fire Tower

What a view from inside the fire tower

A view from the fire tower of Fontana Lake

With these views from the fire tower this is well worth the hike !