Elevation profile for the Smokemont Loop Trail
Smokemont Loop Trail
Base camp in Cherokee, my home away from home for the past year and a half - The trouts ponds are frozen solid
Plan A and B were closed due to snow and ice, so on to Plan C
Raven Fork
Icy Raven Fork
It has been a cold winter for the Smokies this year
Newfound Gap Road - Wild turkeys beside out for a morning stroll
Plan C (and eventually Plan D) - Snowy Smokemont Campground
Bradley Fork Trailhead - A familiar spot, but not with this much snow and ice
Bradley Fork Trail
Bradley Fork Trail - Ice skating along Bradley Fork
Bradley Fork Trail - The rhodo thermometers signaled the cold temps
Bradley Fork Trail - Approaching Chasteen Creek Trail (abandoned Plan C)
Bradley Fork Trail - Rhododendron beside the trail
Bradley Fork Trail - Snow covered fungus
Smokemont Loop Trail/Bradley Fork Trail intersection - On to my 3rd trek on Smokemont Loop Trail for Plan D
Smokemont Loop Trail - Slippery bridge crossing of Bradley Fork
Smokemont Loop Trail - Bradley Fork from the bridge
Smokemont Loop Trail - Looking back towards the bridge
Smokemont Loop Trail - Climbing through the rhodo tunnels in the snow
Smokemont Loop Trail - Climbing up the loop
Smokemont Loop Trail - Lots of snow on the trail today
Smokemont Loop Trail - Snow getting deeper as I climb
Smokemont Loop Trail - Gorgeous views start to open up at the top
Smokemont Loop Trail - Views
Smokemont Loop Trail - Heavy snow and great views up at the top
Smokemont Loop Trail - Following the canine tracks to the top
Smokemont Loop Trail - A coyote track going over the top of the hill
Smokemont Loop Trail - Fantastic views to the west
Smokemont Loop Trail - Looking up the Oconaluftee River gorge, which you can't see except this time of year
Smokemont Loop Trail - Through the rhodo tunnels
Smokemont Loop Trail - Awesome views to the west
Smokemont Loop Trail - Views to the west
Smokemont Loop Trail - Looking down the Oconaluftee River valley
Smokemont Loop Trail - Views toward Newton Bald
Smokemont Loop Trail - Finally, at the top. All downhill from here
Smokemont Loop Trail - The Bradley Cemetery from the trail
Smokemont Loop Trail - Connecting back up with the Oconaluftee River
Smokemont Loop Trail - End of the trail, crossing Bradley Fork again
Smokemont Loop Trail - The confluence of Bradley Fork and the Oconaluftee River at trail's end
