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Question about the 8 mile Little River Trail loop in GSMNP, turns out I had the mileage way off
I always skipped the Little River Trail in the Smokies because I figured a flat old railroad bed was a waste of a trip. Then a ranger at the Elkmont station told me the loop with Cucumber Gap comes out to right around 8 miles with about 1,200 feet of climb, which is less than half what I assumed. I hiked it Saturday and the old growth along the river is better than most ridge views I have chased. Anyone got other flat-ish Smokies routes that actually pay off?
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leo2382d ago
Man, the Little River Trail gets slept on hard and I don't get why. That stretch along the water with all those old hemlocks and the mossy rocks is unreal, way better than a lot of the crowded overlooks people kill themselves hiking to. If you want another easy one, hit the Middle Prong Trail off Tremont, it's a old railroad grade too and follows the river the whole way with waterfalls popping up every mile or so. Meigs Creek Trail is another sleeper, not flat the whole time but nothing crazy and you get to the sinks swimming hole halfway. Just watch the creek crossings after rain, that water comes up quick.
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