Where do you go when they close Newfound Gap road due to snow? Deep Creek is always a good choice. This short 6.2 mile loop packs a pretty decent lung and leg workout per mile, with climbs of Sunkota Ridge and Thomas Ridge.
Deep Creek loop elevation profile. This short walk included a pretty decent 1800' of climbing.
Cherokee - Snow coats the trees at base camp in Cherokee. At these low elevations it would be gone 15 minutes after the snow ended.
Cherokee - Snow coats the trees in Cherokee.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center - As you can see the low elevation snow was gone but the snow stayed on the high peaks all day. Newfound Gap Road was closed.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center views
Deep Creek Trail - With no way to get over the mountain to my planned walk today, I would switch to plan B and do a short loop out of Deep Creek.
Deep Creek Trail - Hemlocks can grow in some pretty precarious spots. This one was killed however by the HWA.
Deep Creek Trail - Tom Branch Falls
Deep Creek Trail - No innertubes on Deep Creek on this cold Saturday.
Deep Creek Trail - Deep Creek rounds a bend
Indian Creek Trail - Indian Creek Falls
Deep Creek Trail - Indian Creek cascades under a bridge and into Deep Creek
Deep Creek Trail - Indian Creek passes under a footbridge near the confluence with Deep Creek
Deep Creek Trail - The 2 mile long Deep Creek Horse Trail branches off from Deep Creek Trail just past the Indian Creek trailhead. I haven't been on this trail but I'm sure I'll walk it someday soon.
Deep Creek Trail - Deep Creek
Deep Creek Trail - Deep Creek slows and widens here
Deep Creek Trail - Sleet began to pelt me fairly heavily as I walked up Deep Creek Trail
Deep Creek Trail - Deep Creek Trail is more like a road in this low section. Here I was trying to get a shot of the moderate sleet but it didn't show up in the picture.
Deep Creek Trail - After the short sleet shower, a gorgeous Carolina blue sky appeared. It wouldn't last though as it clouded up for most of the walk and sleeted a few more times too.
Loop Trail/Deep Creek Trail intersection - Here I would turn right and head up Sunkota Ridge on the Loop Trail.
Deep Creek Trail - One more look downstream on Deep Creek
Loop Trail/Deep Creek Trail intersection - Deep Creek Trail turns into more a trail past here, but today I would turn right on Loop Trail.
Loop Trail - Stairs for the horses or extremely tall humans.
Loop Trail - Ridge views begin to open as I climb up Sunkota Ridge.
Loop Trail - Snow on distant ridges.
Loop Trail - Snow on the hemlock in the foreground and on the distant ridges.
Loop Trail - Most of the snow was gone at these low elevations, but not about 3000'.
Loop Trail - Snow on the white pines
Sunkota Ridge Trail/Loop Trail intersection - Reaching the Sunkota Ridge intersection after a tough little climb. From here it's all downhill to Indian Creek Trail
Sunkota Ridge Trail/Loop Trail intersection - Admiring the blue skies contrasting against all the green.
Sunkota Ridge Trail/Loop Trail intersection - Looking through the hemlocks.
Loop Trail - Continuing downhill on Loop Trail, I stop to admire the snow on the distant hills
Indian Creek Trail/Loop Trail intersection - Here I would turn right (south) for a short 0.3 to the intersection with Stone Pile Gap Trail.
Indian Creek Trail - This lowland trail/road often has large muddy ruts.
Indian Creek Trail - Approaching the Stone Pile Gap Trail intersection.
Stone Pile Gap Trail/Indian Creek Trail intersection - Turning here to complete this previously unwalked section.
Stone Pile Gap Trail/Indian Creek Trail intersection - Indian Creek Trail continues to the left, while Stone Pile Gap Trail drops down to the right.
Stone Pile Gap Trail - Crossing Indian Creek
Stone Pile Gap Trail - Nice steps compliments of the Smokies trail crews.
Stone Pile Gap Trail - Crossing a small branch
Stone Pile Gap Trail - Lichen of all types growing on these downed branches
Stone Pile Gap Trail - Lichen
Stone Pile Gap Trail - This shaded cove was able to hang on to its snowfall
Stone Pile Gap Trail - View of Thomas Divide Trail I approach the intersection
Thomas Divide Trail/Stone Pile Gap Trail intersection - I was here 3 weeks ago.
Thomas Divide Trail - Snow clings to the rhododendron and the sides fo the trail.
Thomas Divide Trail - Ambling downhill again
Thomas Divide Trail - A snowy white pine
Approaching the Thomas Divide southern trailhead
Tom Branch Road - Now a quiet 1 mile downhill road walk to complete the 6.2 mile loop.
Tom Branch Road - Deep Creek passes under Tom Branch Road at the completion of my walk.
Tom Branch Road - One more shot of Deep Creek, typically bustling with tubers in the hot summertime.
Thomas Divide Trail - View of the mountains from Anthony's Pizza in Bryson City...a nice spot to complete your day with some great Brooklyn-style pizza. The train station (red roofed building) was packed with kids excited about riding tonight's Polar Express special. (www.gsmr.com)
