OMG you need a better rig before your hike! I absolutely love the SmallRig Selection 78 Inch Lightweight Tripod because its crazy tall and stays steady for long exposures. Another fantastic choice is the UBeesize 67-inch Heavy Duty Tripod which is a beast for the price!!

• SmallRig: amazing height but a bit heavier for hiking.
• UBeesize: super cheap and stays surprisingly stiff. Both are miles better than that plastic junk... go get em!

To add to the point above: finding a solid rig for sixty bucks is tricky but you can definitely find something better than that plastic kit. The main issue with cheap ones is the vibration transfer through the thin legs. If youre doing long exposures in the Smokies, you need something that lets you weigh it down. Consider these:

• K&F Concept 62 Inch Aluminum DSLR Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head is usually right around your budget and much sturdier than the cheapo ones.
• Neewer 77 Inch Aluminum Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head offers a lot of height which helps if youre on uneven terrain. The ball heads on these are way better for framing shots compared to the jerky movements of plastic pan heads. One tip: try to avoid extending the center column all the way up. Thats usually the weakest point where most of the wobble starts. Keep it low and use the hook on the bottom to hang your backpack for extra ballast. It really helps when the wind picks up and keeps the Rebel T6 from tipping over.

I went through the same frustration before finding the Joilcan 80-inch Tripod Aluminum for DSLR. This model works well and Im very satisfied with how it handles my Rebel T6. The aluminum construction provides necessary stability for long exposures compared to plastic. It offers solid height and I have no complaints about the build quality for the price. Definitely fits your budget for the upcoming trip.

I am literally in the exact same spot and it is beyond frustrating. Been dealing with this for nearly four months with my own T6 and i still havent found a setup that doesnt make me nervous every time i step away from the viewfinder.

• missed a killer blue hour shot last month because of leg shake
• keep seeing my horizon line drift during 30 second exposures
• honestly terrified my mount is gonna just snap off one day Ngl i was scrolling through here hoping for a clear winner but im still so paranoid about wasting money on another piece of junk. its like you have to spend a fortune just to get something that wont tip over if someone sneezes nearby... still searching for an answer too.

Just catching up on this thread. In my experience, those super tall 70-80 inch budget rigs are basically just wind sails when you are out on a trail. If you want that T6 to stay rock solid during a long exposure, you are better off with a brand that has been in the game a long time, even if it means sacrificing some height for actual stability. Ngl, height is the enemy of a clear shot when you are on a budget. I have tried many cheap setups over the years and found these way more reliable for a tight budget:

• Vanguard Vesta 203AP Aluminum Tripod with PH-23 Pan Head
• Slik U873 Lightweight Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head Both are usually under 60 bucks and the build quality is way better than the generic stuff mentioned earlier. They wont reach the clouds, but they wont tip over when a breeze hits either. Safety first... nobody wants to see their camera tumbling down a ravine because of a flimsy leg lock.

RAMranger is totally right about those tall ones acting like sails in the wind! It is so scary watching your gear wobble when you are out on a mountain. To add to the point above: the trick to keeping a budget setup safe is all about weight distribution. I always DIY a stabilizer by hanging my camera bag or even a mesh bag filled with heavy rocks from the center hook! It makes a massive difference for stability. If you want something that feels reliable for the money, I really love the Slik U8000 Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head. It is an older design but it feels way more dependable than the flashy plastic ones you see everywhere. Another fantastic choice is the Victiv 64-inch Camera Tripod. It is surprisingly sturdy for the price and the legs feel much thicker than the cheapo kits. Just keep that center column down as much as possible to minimize the shake and you will get some amazing sunset shots in the Smokies!! Cant wait to hear how the trip goes!

Seconded!

Good to know!