Mount Collins — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the only things which stuck out to me about this as negative was not the path there or even the shelter itself, it was that a lot of people simply couldn't grasp the concept of leave no trace!!! They do provide hoists for things at camp, but a lot of people hoist up their trash instead of packing it out, or stick their used propane bottles in random "hidden places". I thought when hiking the point was to be in and respect nature, guess some people missed the memo here.

The shelter itself was just that, a shelter, nice and obviously maintained. Nothing much more to say. I did really enjoy the views when hiking this area however!!! This is one of the stops on your way to Clingman's Dome which is the highest point in the park. If you can hike this, the last little bit up to the dome won't be anything. The elevation change is drastic and did leave me a bit breathless I will say.

The dome has a couple of outlets on its path where it connects to other trails so depending on your desired hike you can use the path to the dome as your main hike or start at the dome and make it your origination point, either way you are going to end up at this shelter somehow!!

Bery nice short hike from Newfound Gap to get to the shelter. About half way to Clingmans Dome. Has a water source.

Nothing fancy but well kept - did not run into any bears at this site.