Get Out Boatpacking-Double Island
After a rough go with some stomach virus I got in New Mexico, I tried to go out camping. It didn’t go super well for me because I didn’t have an appetite and it was hard to muster up the energy to keep on trucking. But I made it in the end just fine, just a little worse for wear. Anyway, get your stuff packed up in plastic bags and load them kayaks up and head out to Cable Cove Boat Ramp. Paddle out of the Cove and head right onto Fontana Lake proper. There is a big island here so you can go around it either way. This 8 miles section of the lake has a few islands, large streams inlets and coves to navigate by. It was fairly windless and the current wasn’t bad either and it took us 3.5 hours to get to camp traveling at a moderate pace. Just keep in mind that the Park and the camps are all on the left side of the Lake so you can keep your eyes peeled. The only confusing part for me was right before you get to the camp itself because the land juts out into the Lake making it look like that it’s just a cove from a far. Keep hanging right past this ridge line and you will soon get around it just fine. Once around it, hang a sharp left contouring the left side of the shore to the second island where a campsite can be seen perched above the Lake. Pull up and drag the boats out of the water before climbing up to this amazing vantage point! Set up and enjoy the evening as it plays on the water in this serene setting.
Heading out of Cable Cove
Small waterfall near Double Island
Mountains in the Smoky Mountains National Park
Once you get going, head with the current this time back to Cable Cove. With that in your favor it will probably take you more like 3 hours to make it back. If you hug the now left side of the shore, you can spot several free camps on the Forest Service/private side of the Lake. Take note of where these are for next year when you will surely utilize them. Once you get to that big island again you are getting close to the Cove. Cruise back in and load up the boats and gear as you prepare for a lovely bowl of Fettuccine Alfredo at Bella Roma Pizza in Maryville.