Bradley Fork, Tow String and Smokemont Loop Trails

Hike #61 : March 17, 2016

9.5 miles

8.8 new miles
725.3 total overall miles

473.4 total miles of 800.8

Lufty Baptist Church in Smokemont

Today's hike starts off on the Benton MacKaye Connector Trail in Smokemont which runs from the Lufty Baptist Church parking lot at the main entrance to Bradley Fork.

Benton MacKaye Connector Trail

I'm joined by Denise and Randy as we make our way along the trail. Its a horse trail more so than a people trail it would seem but its still a nice walk. After a mile, we come to the Bradley Fork Trail. I will mention that according to research there is a cemetery located up past where the water tower used to be. The road to the now gone tower is wide and open out into a flat area. I ventured a ways back but there was no obvious trail and things got ugly fast. I decided to turn back since Randy and Denise were smart enough to just wait on me but I did see on old barbed wire fence so... I'll probably go back and look around some other time.

So back to Bradley Fork which is a rather flat roadbed. We walk along Bradley for 1.7 miles at an easy pace enjoying some early signs of spring including millions of little tadpoles! When we reach the Smokemont Loop Trail, we are greeted by an extra long foot bridge. Very nice!

Bradley Fork Trail

Cool long bridge at the beginning of the Smokemont Loop Trail

After crossing the bridge, our workout for the day begins as the trail climbs and climbs over the next mile and a half. The Smokemont trail is an obvious old railroad bed and there's still some remaining relics here and there. There's also a few views from time to time.

Smokemont Loop Trail

View from Smokemont Loop

After a while we come to the Bradley Cemetery which is just off trail and there are several paths that seem to somewhat lead to it. I was really saddened by the condition of the cemetery as it seemed so neglected. I've seen much more remote cemeteries in much better shape. There an access road that practically drives right up to this one.

The walk down this old access road is somewhat dismal also for the same reasons. Its just too neglected for some reason. This is the Great Smoky Mountains, it just seems we could and should do better. Somewhere around the 6 or 7 mile mark, the campsite starts to come into view and we hear the sounds of children playing.

The old car bridge from 1921

Things wind down after crossing the bridge and we make our way along the paved road back to the parking lot. We then set off on the Tow String Trail which is nothing more than a gravel horse path with copious amounts of mud and horse poop.

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.