Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. South Beyond 6,000
  5. Mount Guyot

6,625 ft · Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

Mount Guyot

Mount Guyot is a 6,625 ft peak in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee. The standard route is the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail: 15 mi, 4,500 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView South Beyond 6,000
Mount Guyot in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee

Mount Guyot at a glance

  • Elevation6,625 ft2,019 m
  • RouteSnake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian TrailClass 2
  • Distance15 mi4,500 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonYear‑round
  • RangeGreat Smoky MountainsNorth Carolina/Tennessee

Climbing the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail

From Cosby, Tennessee, follow TN 32 to the Cosby entrance road and the hiker parking at Cosby Campground. Climb the Snake Den Ridge Trail 5.3 miles to the Appalachian Trail, then go south about 2 miles past Old Black to the Guyot Spring crossings. From the southern spring, bushwhack southeast up a steep, dense spruce slope to the summit; this Class 2 leg has no trail. Often paired with Old Black on one long day. Winter brings ice on the upper ridge and fog makes the off-trail climb hard to hold. A parking tag is required at Cosby. Carry a map, compass and long sleeves.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 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
  • Slippery terrain
  • Rapid weather shifts

Quests with Mount Guyot

Peaks near Mount Guyot

  1. Old Black

    Old Black

    6,360 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Mount Chapman

    Mount Chapman

    6,435 ft · 1.5 mi away

  3. Mount Kephart

    Mount Kephart

    6,218 ft · 9.0 mi away

  4. Mount Le Conte

    Mount Le Conte

    6,595 ft · 10.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Guyot?

Mount Guyot is 6,625 feet (2,019 m) tall. It is in the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee.

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

At 6,625 feet, Mount Guyot is the 4th highest of the 40 peaks of the South Beyond 6,000. The highest is Mount Mitchell.

How hard is it to hike Mount Guyot?

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: 15 miles with 4,500 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Guyot?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail, covering 15 miles with 4,500 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Guyot?

The Snake Den Ridge Trail and Appalachian Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 15 miles with 4,500 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 Guyot?

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

Climb Mount Guyot 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

App StoreGoogle Play