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.