Little Greenbrier Trail

Hike #53 : October 25, 2015

12.9 miles

4.3 new miles
646.6 total overall miles

423.4 total miles of 800.8


The Little Greenbrier Trail is located just inside the park boundary off Wear Cove Gap Road.

View from the Little Greenbrier Trail

When the leaves are at their peak, it can be nearly impossible to avoid the masses crowding into the park for a looksee. After looking over my map and considering the possibility of wet weather, I opted for the Little Greenbrier Trail. If the weather turns bad, it's a short 8.6 miles out and back. If not, a detour to the Walker Sisters cabin would be a nice add-on.

An early start gets me to the trailhead before anyone else. In fact, I only saw one other person all day on the trail. Exactly what I was looking for! Things start off gentle enough, just a slight incline as the trail makes it's way through the amazing canopy of colors.

Little Greenbrier Trail

Continuing on, there are many side trails. The first of which I noticed was about a half mile in. It was just a short walk to what looked like an obvious old roadbed. There's a slight view through the trees down into the valley but it is mostly blocked by trees. I had to fight the urge to follow that old roadbed... hiking with Mike Maples has ruined me! Lol! The next several side trails are much the same until around a mile and a half in. This particular side trail opens up into a fantastic view of Wears Valley down below.

Looking down on Wears Valley

Since the Little Greenbrier Trail edges along the park boundary, I'm unsure if the overlook deck and benches off this little side trail are in the park or just the land owner's own handiwork but it's a very nice and tranquil spot. There's a manway trail that seems to continue on down the mountain, assumably all the way down to the valley but I don't know and I wasn't about to find out today.

Returning to the trail, the walk is more or less slightly downhill and rolling with much to see. The fall colors and distant glances of the surrounding mountains paired with the quiet solitude is nothing short of heavenly.

Views from the trail...

At 1.9 miles, the trail junctions with the Little Brier Gap Trail. A right turn onto Little Brier leads down about half a mile where a trail sign points the way to the Walker Sisters cabin. Continuing on would lead to the Little Greenbrier School and cemetery and eventually all the way to Metcalf Bottoms. I absolutely love the Walker sister's place. It's a beautiful place that's well worth the side trip.

The Walker Sisters Place

I also wandered around in the woods around the cabin and found an old homesite that possibly belonged to a brother of the Walker sisters. Being off trail felt good but I'm no Master Jedi, so I found my way back to the cabin before I could get myself lost and back up to Little Brier Gap. It's uphill all the way back to the junction with Little Greenbrier Trail where I make a right turn and continued on to the original destination.

From here the next 2.4 miles is a solid uphill climb. Much more so than I was expecting but I chugged right along still taking in the views.

Lots of colors!

When I finally reached the junction with the Laurel Falls Trail I had turned a 4.3 mile walk into a 6.8 mile hike. Lol!

Typical...

The trip back was fortunately almost all downhill. Whew! Its funny how sometimes a trail can look quite different just coming from the other direction. Beautiful trail and much quicker going down.

A final look from the Little Greenbrier Trail

I started the day looking for some me time and got tons more than I bargained for. I loved this hike and this trail. Definitely one worth doing again and again. These mountains never cease to amaze me!



TRAIL REVIEW

Little Greenbrier Trail - 4.3 miles (one way)

Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA

Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise

There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.

Curry Mountain Trail

Hike #52 : October 3, 2015

7.1 miles

3.3 new miles
633.7 total overall miles

419.1 total miles of 800.8


The Curry Mountain Trail is located near the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. There are no parking spaces at the trailhead and it can be difficult to see. Driving from Sugarlands Visitor Center, its about 9.5 miles. The trail is on the left behind several large rocks placed by the park to keep people from parking there. There's a pull-off just before coming to the trail or you can park at the east end of picnic area and cross the road.

Curry Mountain Trail

Curry Mountain Trail starts off pretty steep and basically stays that way for the first 3 plus miles. The trail is reminiscent of Sugarland Mountain Trail only rocky. Then rooty. Then Smooth and rocky again. Although its kinda rough on the feet and a bit more of a climb than I'd prefer, its an amazingly beautiful trail.

Paradise on Curry Mountain.
One of my most favorite pictures that I've taken in the Smokies.

There are also a few very nice views along the way.

A beautiful view from Curry Mountain

After reaching the junction with Meigs Mountain Trail, its time to turn around and head back down. After all the climbing, down sounds pretty good. An interesting fact about this particular trail junction is that there was once a schoolhouse here though I saw no signs of it today. Also, if interested, there is the Meigs Mountain Cemetery just about four or five hundred yards west on Meigs Mountain Trail. Also of note, my GPS tracked this trail at 3.67 miles instead of the 3.3 as noted by the park.

The walk out was not as exciting as the walk in but was much less strenuous. I would think this trail would be best combined with another in some kind of car drop starting either at Elkmont or Tremont and hiking out Curry Mountain and avoiding the climb. Unless, of course, you're into that.

All in all, a nice trail with some extraordinary vegetation and many rhododendron tunnels. I just don't forsee me hiking UP it again.   :)






TRAIL REVIEW

Curry Mountain Trail - 3.3 miles

Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA

Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise

There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.

Sugarland Mountain Trail

Hike #51 : October 3, 2015

Sugarland Mountain Trail from Fighting Creek Gap to Husky Gap

6.2 miles

3.1 new miles
626.6 total overall miles

415.8 total miles of 800.8


Today's hike begins at the parking lot directly across Fighting Creek Road from the trailhead to Laurel Falls. There's an old saying that the road got it's name from all the tourist fighting over parking spaces... so get there early if you want one.

This is an out and back solo hike. I'd been told that Sugarland starts off to a steep climb and as I begin up the trail, I'm not disappointed. Its straight up for just over 3/4 of a mile and then drops in roller coaster fashion when you reach the top of the hill where a view awaits. The fog is unrelenting today, so no view but I imagine it to be nice on a clear day.

A foggy start on Sugarland Mountain Trail

Once the trail levels out, its a beautiful walk in the forest. The solitude is just what the doctor ordered. The fog always adds a cool element to a trail. The trail pleasantly winds and rolls until it seemingly quickly comes to the Husky Gap Trail junction.

The Husky Gap Trail sign in the distance foggy view...

This is where the hike ends and I turn around and head back out. I'm never too fond of out and backs but this trail, on this particular day, was just as nice on the way back.

Sugarland Mountain Trail alive with the sights of fall!

The fog  begins to lift ever so slightly as I make my way out.

A bit more of a view as the fog lifts

Just for the record, the climb out is much, much more of a challenge than on the way in. I had to summon up the spirit of my hiking buddy Eddie to give me the needed motivational push I needed to get up that big hill!

Not sure what this is but I figure its full of scientific goodies for the rangers.

Although its not a popular trail, I really enjoyed it. 99% of everyone who parks here off Fighting Creek Road will make their way up to Laurel Falls and never even consider this trail. All the more reason to go... the trail less traveled.



TRAIL REVIEW

Sugarland Mountain Trail - 3.1 miles

Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA

Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise

There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.