Fireflies in the Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Elkmont/Little River Trailhead
6/6 - 6/8/16
2016 bag nights: 5

I read about the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies and thought it sounded like a great kids backpacking trip since the trail is pretty flat.

There are 3 sites along the Little River Trail (21, 24, 30). Site 21 is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead so even my 5 year old would be able to come. So, I marked my calendar to make sure I would get camp site reservations for the time when it seemed the fireflies would be doing their thing. And no problem at all until a couple days before we are going to leave and I get an email from the NPS saying Site 21 has been closed because of bear activity. I looked at the map and decided the kids could make it to Site 24 (about 4.5 miles) and called the backcountry office early the next morning. It actually worked out great because I had reservations for 3 nights and the first day/nights weather looked terrible. Because my reservation had been canceled, I got that nights fees back.


Anyway, we started at the Little River Trailhead next to the Elkmont Campground and headed up the trail. Lots of Dayhikers in the first couple of miles, but a very nice trail/old road to walk on.

The kids had fun climbing on rocks...

looking at waterfalls (Huskey Branch Falls)...

and the Little River itself.

Not to mention snails and butterflies

After the bridge over the river, the trail becomes a little more rougher and wetter, but still easy for little legs.

After a couple hours, we got to camp and got situated.

Site 24 is a short walk to the Little River where there are lots of rocks to climb over and to throw.

That evening we talked with some of the neighbors and borrowed a campfire to roast marshmallows. While we were chatting and waiting for the fireflies, a deer wandered out of the woods near by.

The fireflies started appearing a bit after 9pm but did not really get going until about 9:30, which is way past the usual bedtime. The kids watched for a little bit and then climbed into bed. I managed to stay up until maybe 10:30 before it was my time as well.

One of the "problems" with backpacking in the Southeast is it is hard to find views to enjoy sunrises/sunsets. But, I always like how the tops of the trees start to glow while everything down low is still in shadow, sort of like our version of alpenglow.

 Sunrise through the trees

We were staying at the same site for the second night, so there was lots of time to explore the riverbank.

We also hiked a bit further up the Little River trail as well as the Rough Creek Trail and dragged back a lot of dry wood for a fire that night.

The next morning it was time to pack up and head back to the car. The morning was a little chilly so the kids hiked in PJs with Buffs on their heads.

One last look at the Little River Trail.

Summary: great weather, kids played nicely, fireflies were cool. The oldest asked this morning when we were going back to the Smokies, I think the trip was a success.