Loop walk on Big Fork Ridge Trail in the Cataloochee area
The elevation profile for the loop walk
Another weekend, another Smokies hike. This time it would a loop hike in the Cataloochee area starting at Big Fork Ridge Trail, continuing along Caldwell Fork Trail and finishing on Rough Fork Trail.
No elk in the fields yet as I started my hike
Big Fork Ridge Trail - A footbridge near the beginning of the trail across Rough Fork
Big Fork Ridge trail - this is the giant holding area where the Park Service kept the first 25 elk that would be re-introduced to the Smokies.
Big Fork Ridge Trail - The holding area was huge, surrounding what looked like hundreds of acres.
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Cresting Big Fork Ridge along the BFR Trail.
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Along the Big Fork Ridge Trail
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Yep, it was cold again. Check out this appetizing mix of tree sap and icicles.
Big Fork Ridge Trail - At the top of Big Fork Ridge
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Another yummy sap/icicle
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Now heading downhill to the intersection with Caldwell Fork Trail
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Another nice footbridge on Big Fork Ridge Trail
Big Fork Ridge Trail - Caldwell Fork
Made it to the intersection with Caldwell Fork Trail. From here I would take a quick side trip to catch the section of trail that I didn't walk when I was here a couple weeks ago to hike Boogerman Loop.
Caldwell Fork Trail - Now backtracking along Caldwell Fork Trail to catch the small section of trail I hadn't completed. This is a pretty spot with some cascades and a split in the creek.
Caldwell Fork Trail - The intersection of Caldwell Fork Trail with Boogerman Trail...I was at this spot on a previous hike. The 0.5 mile section is now completed, and after today's hike I can cross Caldwell Fork Trail's entire length off my "done that' list.
Caldwell Fork Trail - Now heading back "up" Caldwell Fork Trail. This is more stonework from previous settlements.
Caldwell Fork Trail - The intersection of Caldwell Fork Trail and Hemphill Bald Trail. Lots of evidence of old homesites around this flat area.
Caldwell Fork Trail - Unidentified cool looking ground cover.
Caldwell Fork Trail - Another footbridge across Caldwell Fork
Caldwell Fork Trail - The side trail to Big Poplars. Nearly out of gas, I did not take this side trail on this day. Unfortunately I didn't learn until later that it was only a few hundred yards to some giant old growth poplars.
Rough Fork Trail/Caldwell Fork Trail intersection - Finally I reached to top and the intersection of Caldwell Fork Trail and Rough Fork Trail.
At this spot I sat in the peaceful silence and had my tuna and crackers lunch. Normally tuna with crackers wouldn't be very exciting, but when you're whiped out from a long uphill trek, it is like eating a gourmet meal.
The view from the Big Fork Ridge on the Rough Fork Trail
Rough Fork Trail - Picture doesn't show the scale, but this was a pretty good sized tree haning about 10 feet overhead as the trail passes under it. It got wedged in other trees as it fell.
Rough Fork Trail - Along Rough Fork Trail on the return trip
Rough Fork Trail - A springhouse at the Steve Woody house
Rough Fork Trail - The Steve Woody house beside Rough Fork Trail, originally built of logs by Woody's father, Steve added wood paneling and expanded the house in 1880.
Rough Fork Trail - The Steve Woody house, originally built of logs before the Civil War, the family later added paneling when wood became available from a local mill.
Rough Fork Trail - They can put up all the signs they want, but unfortunately people still leave their mark on anything and everything that is not under 24 hour watch.
Rough Fork Trail - From the porch of the Steve Woody house. The house sits on a beautiful spot of land beside the peaceful sounds of what I assume is Rough Fork (creek). I can imagine the family sitting quietly here on the porch after a hard day of farming.
Rough Fork Trail - The staircase of the Steve Woody house.
Rough Fork Trail - A fireplace inside the Steve Woody house. Not much room for the big screen TV. :o)
Rough Fork Trail - Another room in the Steve Woody house. At the time the Park Service bought this land, it was a good sized farm.
Rough Fork Trail - Returning on the Rough Fork Trail
Rough Fork Trail - And finally, the end of the trail
Rough Fork Trail - One more trail sign picture to complete the hike.
After the hike I sat on the picnic benches in Cataloochee Valley and watch the elk graze. A nice ending to a beautiful and chilly day in the Smokies.
A bull stands guard (more like lays guard) near the herd.
The big dominant bull constantly was herding the group back closer together like a sheepdog. He kept a vigilant eye on the group.
The dominant bull was about to tell this youngster that she had gotten far enough away from the others.
Just as I left the area,, a big pregnant cow stepped out from behind the trees. I guess she was over in the creek getting a drink and I never even noticed her
On the way back home, stopped and took a few shots of Cataloochee Divide
Cataloochee Divide
