Jakes Creek (Blanket Mountain)

Hike #57 : February 6, 2016

11.0 miles

3 new miles
696.3 total overall miles

445.3 total miles of 800.8

View from the Blanket Mountain manway.

This is a bit of a rare blog. With it being winter, I prefer to hike less conventional trails or off trail completely. This particular hike is unique in the fact that it requires on trail hiking to get to the off-trail shenanigans. So, looks like I'll pick up a few unique miles....

Like most people that regularly hike in the Smokies, I've been on Jakes Creek Trail numerous times. And also like most, I've never hiked its entire length all the way up to Jakes Gap. For most, this trail is a connecting hike to Cucumber Gap or Meigs Mountain or to the ever popular Avent Cabin. But on this day, along with my good friends Mike Maples and Randy Hullinger, we were off to Jakes Gap and beyond.

Randy and Mike heading up Jakes Creek

Jakes Creek Trail starts out as a walk up a wide old roadbed beginning just above Daisy Town in Elkmont. We were fortunate to be hiking in higher waters and Jakes Creek was really showing off with some beautiful cascades, slides and waterfalls.

Jakes Creek

Since I'd never gone past the junction with Meigs Mountain, I'd never actually been to the Avent Cabin although it is a popular destination with hikers and tourist alike. So we made a quick stop so I could check it out. Its a very nice place and you can just imagine what life was like all those years ago.

Avent Cabin

One thing about Jakes Creek Trail that many may be unaware of is the steepness. Although its not exactly mountain climbing, it is a constant uphill climb. And I do mean constant. The area surrounding the trail is very wide open from years of work by the lumber companies. Its sad and beautiful at the same time. Seemed strange being able to see so far into the woods from the trail.

Campsite #27

The climb kept our legs burning as we finally climbed our way to Jakes Gap. This is where the official "new" trail miles end for the day. At the trail junction, a slight right onto Panther Creek Trail leads to Middle Prong and on to Tremont. A left heads up Miry Ridge to Lynn Camp Prong and beyond to the Appalachian Trail. We wouldn't be doing either of those but, instead, we'd be taking a sharp right on a faint manway headed directly towards the visible peak of Blanket Mountain.

Ordinarily I'd stop the blog right there since the purpose of it is to serve as a diary of sorts to document this crazy journey to hike all the official trails of the Smokies, but let's continue on and take a peek behind the Jedi curtain and head on up Blanket Mountain. But remember, hike off-trail at your own risk!

After the long hike up Jakes Creek, I had a few reservations about the climb up but was soon pleasantly surprised as it wasn't very steep... at least in comparison.

The trail is easy to follow although a bit overgrown as would be expected. A little brier scratching and rhodo crawling is good for the hiker soul. This is where the fun is!

Blanket Mountain Manway

 
We were also surprised by several nice views along the way. We had to work a little to get to some of them - climb up on big rocks, make our own trails, ect. - but that makes it more fun!

Cades Cove as seen from the Blanket Mountain Manway

Nice view of Thunderhead Mountain

Upon reaching the top of Blanket Mountain, we came to a clearing where the remains of the old ranger's cabin still linger as a reminder of days gone by. Not much left today but the fallen chimney, a few old stove pipes and the concrete footers of the old fire tower.

The remains of the ranger house

One of the footers of the old fire tower

Survey marker atop Blanket Mountain

Unfortunately, there's not much of a view these days but one can imagine it was spectacular years ago before becoming overgrown. We had a nice, albeit chilly, lunch before heading back down. The walk down Jakes Creek is a heck of a lot nicer than the trudge up. We made good time and got to explore some of the big rocks and multiple waterfalls along the way.

Mike standing on top of a spectacular waterfall hidden off Jakes Creek Trail

Its funny how running around in the woods and chasing waterfalls can reduce grown men into little kids. Actually, its a beautiful thing.


Happy Trails!

TRAIL REVIEW

Jales Creek Trail - 2.9 miles (one way)

The Avent Cabin

Campsite #27

Multiple waterfalls

Ranger cabin and fire tower remains




Interested in hiking off trail? Want to learn about the history of some awesome places and people of the Great Smokies? Check out Mike Maples' blog on GoSmokies.com!

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.