Seeking INFO RAVEN’s FORK ABOVE campsite #47 GSMNP

[hugo boots]

Howdy folks,

Seeking any personal experiences Fishing Raven’s Fork Creek where
the creek Meets Campsite #47 in the GSMNP.

Its a 3 Mile 1500ft gain to this campsite.

[Steve K.]

Hugo,

Welcome to IA.

Let me preface my comments with the fact that I hike in the Park a lot (over 30 years) however have not done the section you’ve mentioned. I do hear from a good source that it is one of the most rugged areas of the Park.

What I did want to mention….it’s been my experience that the fishing is really tough in the Park during the winter months. the ice cold water naturally slows the bite. Of course there are always exceptions.

So…despite the slow fishing and rugged trails…the photography opportunities would…in my opinion…be unsurpassed.

Good luck and please post a trip report.

[andrew highland]

I haven’t been up there yet, but it has the reputation of being very rugged. Some people do not recommend going there alone.

Steve is right on fishing in the park in the winter. Most people have some success drifting nymphs through deep pools on rivers at lower elevations.

Personally, I’d wait until Spring for that particular trail/creek if fishing was a primary concern. Better fishing and less dangerous.

You might try to contact Jim Casada or buy his book on fishing the park to get some more information. Nice man and a great resource for information on the park’s waters.

Definitely interested in a trip report if you do go.

[hugo boots]

 I do an annual New Years Eve hike.

 After consulting a few hiking sites and verifying that it’s 1500ft    
 elevation gain to Camp #47 which is only 3 miles from trail-head  
 (and a  loss of 600 ft also to get there).  I am going to hike in GA
 closer to home.

 ONLY good NEWS, is walking out of Raven’s Fork your walking

[Michael Phillippe]

I would hope that you are experienced in hiking in the mountains in winter. Survival in those conditions is much different than in the spring/summer/fall. If you are not, wait until spring and enjoy the wildflowers and fishing.

[steve yates]

The Round Bottom road leading to the trail head is generally locked at the Cherokee fish hatchery this time of year, so you can add another mile or mile and 1/2 just to get to the trailhead. The trail is steep and very rocky, wear proper hiking boots. There is no maintained trail up or down from the campsite. Downstream goes into a gorge and is a very rugged area. Up stream is much more passable, but still difficult due to large boulders and laurel hells. I personally wouldn’t do this trip in the winter time. The fishing will most likely be difficult at best, and it is very likely with the cold weather we have been having that the stream or at least most of it could be frozen. It’s not a very big or deep stream.

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