I was traveling solo in Tennessee and definitely wanted to experience the Great Smokey Mountains. I decided to go with A Walk in the Woods and was not disappointed. Sam was great at helping me decide which trip would best fit my ability level and interest. I ended up hiking the Mt. LeConte II hiking trip--13 miles. Michael, my guide, was great at providing interesting information on the native trees, plants, and the history of the area. It rained for most of the way up to Mt. LeConte but being prepared made the experience enjoyable. All the rain from the night before and that day made for roaring creeks and gushing waterfalls.
I am a BIG SCARY CAT when it comes to bears and Michael was great at putting me at ease. By the end of the trip, I was disappointed we had not come across a bear. At one point, I had thought I had spotted a bear but was sadly disappointed when it turned out to be just a rock. :-( I was a bit nervous about being with a complete stranger (the guide) for about 10 hrs but Michael was easy to talk too. I would definitely recommend A Walk in the Woods.