Length: 10 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Highlights: 360 degree view of the east end of the park
Caution: Rocks around tower may be difficult to negotiate,
especially in snow
Note: Best hiked on a clear day to enjoy the view
In
order to avoid climbing this Great Smoky Mountain
National Park trail during the hotter part of the
day, leave the trailhead as early as possible. Not
only will you appreciate the extra time for breaks,
but you will also stand a better chance of dodging
the afternoon thunderstorms that frequent the Smokies
during the summer months.
From Cosby Campground, about 25 minutes outside Gatlinburg,
there are two possible routes you can walk to access
the tower. Truly adventuresome souls can walk up the
Lower Mount Cammerer Trail, take the Appalachian Trail,
visit the tower, then continue on the Appalachian
Trail, eventually descending down the Low Gap Trail
to return to the campground. While this route will
afford you a great loop and little to no repetition
in scenery, it is a rather lengthy fifteen and a half
miles.
The "short route" on the Smoky Mountain
hike to Mount Cammerer is to take the Low Gap Trail
to the Appalachian Trail, visit the tower, and return
via the same route. The trek is steep, but slightly
shorter at ten and a half miles, and is the route
most folks use to reach the tower. There is no "easy"
way to reach the tower, but those willing to make
the trek will be well rewarded!
Due to the shorter distance, we will ascend to the
tower on the Low Gap Trail. The first mile or so of
this Great Smoky Mountains National Park trail is
very pleasant, taking you through the lush green forest
along Cosby Creek. Eventually, the trail becomes more
open, as a series of long switchbacks complete the
ascent to the Appalachian Trail. At two and a half
miles, you will enter a large clearing and a four-way
intersection; take a left onto the Appalachian Trail.
After a little more climbing, the trail levels out
for a half-mile or so along a beautiful grassy ridge
top. You’ll make one more brief climb before
reaching the side trail for the Mount Cammerer fire
tower. The trail to the tower is slightly more than
half a mile long and fairly level, but does involve
some rock scrambling as you approach the tower. Take
your time and watch your step.
Unlike the other fire towers that remain in the Smokies, which
are made of metal, the Mount Cammerer fire tower was constructed
of native rock and timber. The tower was built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps in the latter 1930’s, and restored through
generous donations from the public during the mid 1990’s.
Both the tower and the rocky mountain peak it occupies were
named for Arno Cammerer, who was Director of the National Park
Service around the time the Smokies were designated as a national
park.
You can take in the view from the catwalk that encircles
the tower or view it from the tower’s interior,
which remains open to the public (despite the fire
tower’s cozy interior, it is illegal to camp
in the tower and overnight visits are not allowed).
To the east you can see Snowbird Mountain, Max Patch,
and Mary’s Knob. To the south you can easily
make out the Mount Sterling fire tower. To the west
lies the remainder of the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. The view is truly a sight to behold.
When you’re finished taking in the view of the
Smoky Mountains, eating lunch, or napping on the warm
rocks, return to the campground via the same route.
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