This 15.7 mile loop includes a nice lung workout up Chasteen Creek, ridge walking, and a long gradual downhill on the entire length fo the Bradley Fork Trail.
Elevation profile for my loop walk, which included 4000 feet of climbing and descending.
The Bradley Fork trailhead at the full Smokemont Campground. The smell of bacon and sausage filled the air on this cool clear Labor weekend Saturday morning.
Bradley Fork Trail - Bradley Fork bends around above the trail near the campground.
Bradley Fork Trail - A boulder that broke loose from the trail above and fell onto the trail below. The trail above is the part of Bradley Fork trail that connects to Lufty Baptist Church.
Bradley Fork Trail - Bradley Fork, low flow due to recent lack of rain
Bradley Fork Trail - Orange Jewelweed
Bradley Fork Trail - The flower of the Orange Jewelweed
Bradley Fork Trail - Bradley Fork
Bradley Fork Trail -
Bradley Fork Trail - Mushrooms
Chasteen Creek Trail/Bradley Fork Trail intersection - I turn right here to climb up to Hughes Ridge
Chasteen Creek Trail - You can spot (and smell) a Smokies horse trail a mile away
Chasteen Creek Trail - A couple more mushrooms
Chasteen Creek Trail - A family of horse riders out of Smokemont stables
Chasteen Creek Trail - A cascade of Chasteen Creek
Chasteen Creek Trail - Now above most of the horse traffic, the trail is not quite as torn up. Here a big dead hemlock stands beside the trail.
Chasteen Creek Trail - Nice CCC-era rockwork at a trail switchback
Chasteen Creek Trail - The creek tumbles down near the switchback
Chasteen Creek Trail - A cascade beside the trail
Chasteen Creek Trail - Looking downstream of a creek crossing
Chasteen Creek Trail - A small creek
Chasteen Creek Trail - Campsite #48
Chasteen Creek Trail - Campsite #48, empty despite the holiday weekend
Chasteen Creek Trail - A mushroom sprout grows on a log at Campsite #48
Chasteen Creek Trail - The trail gets steep for the 1.6 miles above Campsite #48
Chasteen Creek Trail - The beginnings of Chasteen Creek
Chasteen Creek Trail - Umbrella leaf and their striking berries
Chasteen Creek Trail - Umbrella leaf berries
Chasteen Creek Trail - I think this is Twisted Stalk
Chasteen Creek Trail - A small pleasant cove about two-thirds of the way up the climb
Chasteen Creek Trail - Moss sprouts on a downed log
Chasteen Creek Trail - Taking a break from the relentless climb
Chasteen Creek Trail - Views of Enloe Ridge meant I was close to the top, or so I thought
Chasteen Creek Trail - Enloe Ridge through the trees
Chasteen Creek Trail - Berries of the Twisted Stalk
Chasteen Creek Trail -
Chasteen Creek Trail - Arriving at the laurel tunnels near the top
Chasteen Creek Trail - Still climbing above the surrounding ridges
Hughes Ridge Trail/Chasteen Creek Trail intersection - Finally, cresting Hughes Ridge! This is the former intersection of the section of trail that descended back to the campground across Becks Bald. (now unmaintained)
Hughes Ridge Trail/Chasteen Creek Trail intersection - Looking up Hughes Ridge Trail
Hughes Ridge Trail/Chasteen Creek Trail intersection - Looking the direction of the section of trail that descended back to the campground across Becks Bald. (now unmaintained)
Hughes Ridge Trail - Now on top of Hughes Ridge, but the climbing wasn't over yet.
Hughes Ridge Trail - The Frasers now appear on the ridgetop
Hughes Ridge Trail/Enloe Creek Trail intersection - I look forward to walking Enloe Creek Trail another day.
Hughes Ridge Trail - There is nothing quite like Smokies ridge walking
Hughes Ridge Trail -
Hughes Ridge Trail - Ridge views accompanied me on the left and later on the right, but they were always obscured by the trees
Hughes Ridge Trail - Looking west, this is probably Mine Ridge
Hughes Ridge Trail - Into the dark spruce forest
Hughes Ridge Trail - A large tree covered in moss
Hughes Ridge Trail - More ridge views
Hughes Ridge Trail - Peaking through the trees
Hughes Ridge Trail - I stop for a rest and a decision at this intersection. Could I do nearly 20 miles today and climb the remainder of Hughes Ridge up to the AT and Pecks Corner? I haven't made good time and I'm whipped, so I instead decide to turn left and descend Bradley Fork Trail.
Bradley Fork Trail - The very upper end of Bradley Fork Trail
Bradley Fork Trail - Hobblebush (a.k.a Witch Hobble) are usually an early signaler of the approaching Fall.
Bradley Fork Trail - Hobblebush berries
Bradley Fork Trail - We all recognize this distant peak....that's Mount LeConte
Bradley Fork Trail - Views of Long Ridge on the descent
Bradley Fork Trail - Leaving the laurel tunnels behind as I slowly descend the rocky trail
Bradley Fork Trail - Sandstone
Bradley Fork Trail - I didn't enjoy the top of this trail
Bradley Fork Trail - A dry creekbed
Bradley Fork Trail - Flattening out as I reach the lower elevations
Bradley Fork Trail - Taywa Creek flows under a small bridge
Bradley Fork Trail - A small cascade of Taywa Creek
Bradley Fork Trail - Taywa Creek
Bradley Fork Trail - Another small cascade of Taywa Creek
Bradley Fork Trail - Nearing the intersection with Bradley Fork
Bradley Fork Trail - More sandstone boulders
Cabin Flats Trail/Bradley Fork Trail intersection - The traffic turnaround at the intersection with Cabin Flats Trail. I'm extremely relieved to be done with the rocky downhill section of BFT. It's now and easy gradual downhill on a Jeep road back to the campground.
