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  5. Mount Chapman

6,435 ft · Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

Mount Chapman

Mount Chapman is a 6,435 ft peak in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee. The standard route is the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail: 21 mi, 5,200 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Chapman in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

Mount Chapman at a glance

  • Elevation6,435 ft1,961 m
  • RouteSnake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian TrailClass 2
  • Distance21 mi5,200 ft gain
  • Time2 – 2 daysHard effort
  • SeasonYear‑round
  • RangeGreat Smoky MountainsNorth Carolina/Tennessee

Climbing the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail

From Cosby, Tennessee, drive to the hiker parking at Cosby Campground. Climb the Snake Den Ridge Trail 5.3 miles to the Appalachian Trail, follow it south 3.7 miles to Tricorner Knob Shelter, then about 1.5 miles more to the sharp bend below Chapman. A short, rough Class 2 bushwhack up the west crest on a faint manway reaches the rocky summit. Most parties spend a night at Tricorner Knob, which needs a backcountry permit reserved ahead on Recreation.gov, and add Guyot, Yonaguska and Marks Knob. Winter ice is common. A parking tag is required at Cosby.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Remote location
  • Isolation
  • Rapid weather shifts

Quests with Mount Chapman

Peaks near Mount Chapman

  1. Mount Guyot

    Mount Guyot

    6,625 ft · 1.5 mi away

  2. Old Black

    Old Black

    6,360 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Mount Kephart

    Mount Kephart

    6,218 ft · 7.7 mi away

  4. Mount Le Conte

    Mount Le Conte

    6,595 ft · 9.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Chapman?

Mount Chapman is 6,435 feet (1,961 m) tall. It is in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee.

How does Mount Chapman rank among the South Beyond 6,000?

At 6,435 feet, Mount Chapman is the 9th highest of the 40 peaks of the South Beyond 6,000. The highest is Mount Mitchell.

How hard is it to hike Mount Chapman?

The Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 21 miles with 5,200 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Chapman?

Most climbers plan 2 – 2 days for the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail, with at least one night on the mountain.

Can a beginner hike Mount Chapman?

The Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard trip: 21 miles with 5,200 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Mount Chapman?

Mount Chapman is open for hiking year-round. Conditions change with the seasons, so check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Mount Chapman with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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