Haunted Smokies: Myth, Mystery, & History
Hike if you dare! This overnight trip in the Great Smoky Mountains - amongst a color-canopy of changing leaves, crystal-clear cascades & hidden cemeteries - sets the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind fall backpacking experience.
Location:
October 24-25, 2026
2026 Dates:
October 24-25, 2026
Cost:
$870 per person
Overview
Hike if you dare! This overnight trip in the Great Smoky Mountains - amongst a color-canopy of changing leaves, waterfalls & hidden cemeteries - sets the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind fall backpacking experience. Join your co-guides Traci Mohl and Adam Kampouris as they lead you into a world of myth, mystery & history in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Expect tales from Appalachian folklore, local history, eerie phenomena, and plenty of chilling personal encounters, all while you enjoy the beauty of the trail. Explore 3 (or more!) historic cemeteries nestled along the trail, 3 waterfalls & prime leaf-season colors on this loop in one of the world's oldest and most-haunted mountain ranges. Get cozy when the stars come out & enjoy an evening filled with tales around the campfire & a special opportunity for a Tarot reading. Who is buried in the forgotten Hammer-Creek Cemetery in the middle of the woods? What native plant was commonly used in poisons? Why is there a faint howling coming from the rhododendron thicket over by my tent? Join us to find out!
Highlights
Visit 3 or more historic, forgotten backcountry cemeteries (including the mysterious Hammer-Creek Cemetery) and learn the history and legends behind them.
Hike among peak autumn colors and past 3 beautiful waterfalls in the nation's most visited National Park.
Spend a cozy evening under the stars sharing campfire stories and receiving a special Tarot reading.
Learn from two professional guides who are highly knowledgeable, well-prepared, and rich with local folklore.
Access high-quality, cottage-industry gear at no extra cost, including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and pads.
Total Mileage:
Approx. 5 miles on the Deep Creek Loop, with an additional 3–5 miles of hiking to visit backcountry cemetery sites.
Transportation Included?
Yes, transportation is included between the Asheville meet-up location and the trailhead.
Tendency for Break
Yes, as needed.
Duration:
2 Days | 1 Night
Strenuous Level:
Beginner-friendly with some elevation change, ideal for building confidence on multi-day trips.
Pace:
Relaxed, beginner-friendly.
Max Group Size:
6
Minimum Age:
15+
Experienced Needed?
Beginner-friendly; no prior backpacking experience required, though hikers must have appropriate physical fitness.
This experience is perfect for:
Beginners looking to build multi-day backpacking skills, alongside hikers intrigued by ghost stories, local history, and mountain folklore.
What's Included:
Expert guidance from Traci Mohl and Adam Kampouris, including hands-on backcountry instruction (water filtration, outdoor cooking, packing gear, and outdoor safety).
Lightweight 60L pack (fitted to height/weight), tent (one-person, or two-person if sharing), 20-degree sleeping bag with a liner, closed-cell foam sleeping pad, and trekking poles. Note: Inflatable sleeping pads are available for an additional rental fee.
Water filters, camping stoves and fuel, bowls, utensils, cups, trowels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, and navigational aids.
All on-trail food and snacks provided (customized to your preferences and dietary restrictions where possible; hikers carry their own food).
Round-trip transportation between the Asheville meeting location and the trailhead, plus all necessary backcountry permits and National Park fees.
Access to a group pre-trip Zoom call to ask questions and prepare your gear.
What's Not Included:
Synthetics or wool are required; strictly no cotton as it does not dry quickly and fails to insulate when wet. Comfortable trail shoes are recommended over heavy hiking boots.
Headlamp, two 1L water bottles (Nalgene or disposable Smart Water bottles), personal medications, and toiletries.
Gratuity is not included in the trip price. Guides never expect but always appreciate tips for exceptional service. The industry-standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 20–25% of the trip price.
Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended to cover unexpected personal changes.
Cancellation Policy:
You may reschedule your trip once for free at least a month in advance, and while we offer a refund minus a 15% admin fee for cancellations made more than a month out or a 50% refund within that month, we cannot offer refunds within one week of the trip and suggest travel insurance to cover any unexpected personal changes.
Meet your guide
Traci Mohl
Blue Ridge Hiking Co.
Born & raised in Appalachia's shadow, Traci's passion for sharing the splendor & transformative power of the outdoors started young. As a wilderness guide & outdoor educator of over a decade, Traci finds joy in facilitating one-of-a-kind experiences for folks on trail. From exploring Western North Carolina's diverse ecology to plant folklore, herbalism, off-the-beaten-path majesties, and toad huntin', there's always something new to be discovered under the canopy of the Blue Ridge Mountains she calls home. She also has some eerie personal trail tales to share with the brave-of-heart! When she's not on trail, you can find her with her nose in a fantasy book, climbing mountains, or dancing. Her favorite places to hike include the Adirondack & Catskill Mountains, King's Canyon, the Laurel Highlands, and Kahurangi National Park in New Zealand.
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