Route today was to be roughly an 11 mile loop with the last 3 miles being road walking. Thanks to Mike from Knoxville I only had to walk about 1.5 miles on the road.
Elevation profile for my 8 miles of Smokies trails today. (road walk not included)
Fighting Creek Gap - The sun was out and the parking lot at Fighting Creek Gap was overflowing. 99% take the Laurel Falls Trail from here.
Sugarland Mountain trailhead at Fighting Creek Gap - Here I'll leave the crowds behind and ascend.
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Starting out with a nice ascent to knock the rust off.
Sugarland Mountain Trail - A small seep and views of Cove Mountain
Sugarland Mountain Trail - This trail had constant views through the thick vines
Sugarland Mountain Trail - First view of Mount LeConte as I climb
Sugarland Mountain Trail - If not for the thick vines there would be some fantastic views
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Peeking through the overgrowth
Sugarland Mountain Trail - The towering Park Vista Hotel stands out on this view of Gatlinburg
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Views of Cove Mountain to the north
Sugarland Mountain Trail - More Cove Mountain views
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Windfalls would be a common theme on this segment. It's been a rough winter if you're a tree in the Smokies
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Ascending into a rhodo tunnel
Sugarland Mountain Trail - The still snowy peaks of Mount LeConte
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Sugarland Mountain
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Mount LeConte
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Loved this view up Sugarland valley
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Another
Sugarland Mountain Trail - Approaching peaceful Huskey Gap
Huskey Gap Trail/Sugarland Mountain Trail intersection - At Huskey Gap
Huskey Gap - Can you find the bird in this picture? (click button in upper right to zoom) My guess is it's a Wood Thrush
Huskey Gap - Now downhill on Huskey Gap Trail
Huskey Gap Trail - The views weren't quite as good on this trail, but you could see northwest toward the spine of the Smokies.
Huskey Gap Trail - Sugarland Mountain dominated this upper section
Huskey Gap Trail - Heading downhill on a dry sunny day
Huskey Gap Trail - Can't really get a sense from the picture, but these were monster sized boulders.
Huskey Gap Trail - A pleasant crossing of Phoebe Branch with some huge boulders
Huskey Gap Trail - Galax in brilliant burgandy was very abundant beside the trail
Huskey Gap Trail - This was cool - what I think is a dead hemlock beside the trail had toppled leaving it's spine upright.
Huskey Gap Trail - Close up of the spine of the toppled tree.
Huskey Gap Trail - Another close up
Huskey Gap Trail - A pleasant and still semi-healthy hemlock forest
Huskey Gap Trail - Approaching the Little River
Huskey Gap Trail - The Little River
Huskey Gap Trail - The new location of Campsite #21 - near the former Ben Parton homesite.
Huskey Gap Trail - Crossing a branch near the end of the trail
Little River Trail/Huskey Gap Trail intersection - The remainder of my miles today would be repeats
Little River Trail - A bridge crossing the Little River
Little River Trail - The Little River
Little River Trail - A cascade along the trail
Little River Trail - I walked this pleasant trail upstream a year ago this weekend. This time I'm heading downstream.
Little River Trail - Nearing the end of the trail
Little River Trail - A nice cascade area
Little River Trail - Arriving in Elkmont at the end of the trail. A road walk on Elkmont Road and a short ride would take me back to Fighting Creek Gap
