Stretching along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Smoky Mountains are a subrange of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. Named for their often hazy aspect, the Smokies are part of a protected reserve that draws more than ten million visitors per year, making it the most popular national park in the United States.
A complex ecosystem that harbors thousands of species of plant and animal, hundreds of which are native to the area, the park is best viewed from some of its many hiking trails. As they wind through the dense forests on the side of the mountains or follow the dizzying heights of the mountain's spine, many of these trails are older than the park itself. Visitors can drink in the glorious vistas, enjoy the wildlife and learn something of the history of the area on any one of these classic hikes.
• Porter's Creek Trail
This four-mile hike is the perfect introduction to Smoky Mountain hiking. Located just outside of Gatlinburg, the trailhead follows an easily traversed gravel road that borders the lovely Porter's Creek. Lush vegetation and wildflowers make this part of the trail a delight throughout the spring and summer months. There are also remnants of old stone walls, farm buildings and a cemetery that all attest to the history of the area. After a mile, the trail splits and following the left fork will bring hikers to the beautiful Fern Branch Falls towering 60 feet above the trail. Hikers can turn around for the walk back to the trailhead or continue on for two miles to end the hike at Backcountry Campsite 31.
• Mt. LeConte Trail
As the quintessential Smoky Mountain hike, the Mt. LeConte trail promises spectacular views from this tallest peak of the Smokies, but comes at the cost of a strenuous 11-mile hike that reaches a 6,500 foot elevation. Hikers should prepare for a long haul with the appropriate amounts of food, water and walking gear. Following the popular Alum Cave Trail ten miles outside of Gatlinburg, visitors will enjoy the first part of the trek, which has a gentle beginning and displays the ancient geology of the mountain range with Arch Rock, an erosion-formed landmark. Continuing on through lush rhododendron, hikers will encounter the Eye of the Needle, an area with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and a chance to see peregrine falcons in flight. Reaching the summit, hikers will have passed the stunning Alum Cave to reach the top of Mt. LeConte. From Cliff Top ledge there are breathtaking 360-degree views of the sprawling Great Smoky Park.
• Abrams Falls Trail
A moderate five-mile hike that showcases the beautiful Abrams Falls, this trail begins at Cades Cove, just over 30 miles from Gatlinburg. The trail follows the gentle rise of the ridge through pines and rhododendrons until reaching the falls, which are a mere 20 feet high but feature the highest volume of water of any waterfall in the entire park. While the pool beneath looks inviting, the tremendous amount of water creates dangerous undertows that occasionally drown swimmers. With its gentle elevations, beautiful waterfall and relatively short length, this trail is popular with hikers and boasts around a thousand visitors per day during the warm summer months.
• Andrews Bald Trail
Don't let the one-and-a-half-mile length to the top fool you; the trail to Andrews Bald is short but strenuous and rises nearly a thousand feet during its three-mile round trip hike. If you're looking for amazing views and only have an afternoon to spare, this hike will reward all the effort with unparalleled views of the finest Smoky Mountain peaks. The trail actually begins by going downhill along Clingmans Dome, but quickly ascends as hikers follow the left branch of the trail for a mile and a half, reaching a high mountain meadow filled with wildflowers that stretches for acres along the top of the formation. Visiting in July allows hikers to enjoy the spectacular blooming azaleas that crown the mountaintop.
• Mt. Cammerer Trail
At 12 miles and a 5,000-foot elevation, this hike might seem a little imposing, but some of the finest views of the Smokies will be found at the top of this peak. Traveling east from Gatlinburg for twenty miles, hikers can embark on the trail from Cosby Campground at the Low Gap trailhead. A portion of the hike follows the historic Appalachian Trail and allows views of both Inadu Knob and Snake Den Ridge before hikers ascend the rocky outcrop to reach the summit of Mt. Cammerer. Views take in layers of mountains fading to the distance and the sparkling Pigeon River far below. Hikers can also stand on the deck of the stone fire tower built in the 1930s to enjoy the sights.
• Little Brier Gap Trail
This charming afternoon hike is the easiest on the list and is perfect for those who love the history of the Smoky Mountains. Five unmarried sisters refused to abandon their farm and continued living in the old 1830s-era family cabin well into the 1960s. The trailhead is near the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area outside of Cades Cove. There are three buildings that remain from the original farm and all of them are on the National Register of Historic Places. They make a fascinating addition to the lovely flowers and rushing Little Brier stream that characterize this enjoyable two-and-a-half mile hike along the historic old road used by settlers of the area.
• Chimney Tops Trail
Appreciation for the geology of the Smoky Mountains will only grow as hikers traverse this moderately difficult four-mile hike. Beginning at Newfound Gap Road, the trail is short but very steep, rising almost one thousand feet in the last mile to the top. The views make it worth the work, with hikers following the pretty Road Prong Creek as they begin to ascend the Beech Flats. In the spring and early summer, wildflowers frame the trail. Taking the right fork of the trail at the halfway point, the true ascent begins along the rocky face of the peak. While professional climbing gear is not needed, hikers should take care, as the bare rock can sometimes be treacherous. The view from the top takes in Mt. LeConte, Mt. Kephart and Sugarland Mountain, making the exertion worth the dazzling reward.
No comments:
Post a Comment