Trip length: 2 days
Trip distance: 24.6 miles
Terrain Rating: Easy/Medium
Day 1 Hike In: 8:36AM
Day 1 Hike Out: 3:15PM
Day 2 Hike In: 8:51AM
Day 2 Hike Out: 2:30PM
The loop trip begins at Smokemont Campground, a popular campground through the Blue Ridge Highway. The trail entrance is by the F campsites. For the first 1.5 mi, you will follow a wide horse trail (watch out for the poop!).
At the Chasteen Creek/Bradley Fork junction, take the Chasteen Creek Trail.
For the next 4.4 miles, the ascent is very gradual. The trail is quiet and serene – a few birds and hikers but generally you will have the area all to yourselves. Once you arrive at the next trail junction, take the Hughes Ridge Trail. This open area is a good spot for lunch. There are no sweeping views in this loop, but the surroundings are beautiful. Your destination is 5 miles away!
At this point in our hike (~5000 ft. elevation), we ran into this little buddy. He was hungry, tired, skiddish and quite frankly pretty beat up. Abandoned dogs are frequent in the South. Many are seen as tools for hunting and not as forever companions. Luckily this guy had a collar on. And although the owner didn’t seem too enthused that I had found him, I am hopeful that he will be treated well. After feeding him beef jerky and leftover lunch turkey meat, we continued onto Peck’s.
Once you hit the Bradley Fork/Hughes Ridge junction, it’s only 2 miles until Peck’s Corner Shelter. You will pass a shed on your right 1.7 miles from this junction. The trail follows the ridge of the mountain with gradual descents. The landscape changes from hardwood trees to conifers. The temperature drops quickly this time of year as the sun goes down, and especially at this elevation.
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At Peck’s you will find a simple wood/stone shelter with a chimney. Tents and hammocks are NOT allowed, and food must be prepared outside the shelter. There is a pulley system to hang out bags away from critters and bears. A few hundred yards down the shelter is a steady water source (that needs to be treated or boiled). Note that Peck’s is a hiking shelter only, no horses allowed.
The next morning we started a bit later – the sun doesn’t rise until 7:30AM this time of year. There is an option to continue on 0.2 miles to the famed Appalachian Trail. If you head west on the AT for 6 miles, you will reach Charlie’s Bunion, a famous Smoky Mountain rock formation.
From there, take the Dry Sliuce Gap trail 4.1 miles until you hit the Bradley Fork junction.
From here, it is 4 miles back down to Smokemont. The descent on Bradley Fork is much steeper (aren’t you happy to be going down rather than up??). You will be following a stream for the remainder of your trip. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a snack, play in the water, or refill your water supply!
The descent is very quick from here. Once again you will be at the Chasteen junction. There is a horse tie up here, and a great big space for lunch. From here you will connect to portions of the Smokemont Loop – a popular 4 mile loop for the less intense hikers. The horses are back, so watch out for the poop. All in all it was a great time in the Smokies with lots of peace and tranquility.
Gear Specs:
- Multiday pack (Osprey Xena 70)
- Sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow
- 4L of water
- Stove, pot, cooking/eating utensils, lighter
- Food: Bagels, carrots, cheese slices, turkey slices, noodles, peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, dehydrated food, lots of granola bars, chocolate covered nuts, oatmeal, dried fruit, oranges
- Shorts, windbreaker pants, non-cotton tshirt, light fleece, rain jacket, LOTS of extra layers for nighttime, quick-dry towel
- Hiking shoes and Hiking socks, flops or something comfortable to walk around camp
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, Dr. Bronner’s soap, baby wipes, Purell, Contact solution/case, dry shampoo, lotion, glasses, medication (if necessary)
- Water filtration system or tabs
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Emergency items: First-Aid kit, Map/GPS, Swiss Army Knife, 20 ft. of rope
One Comment
“Abandoned dogs are frequent in the South.”
WOW! Liberal much, you pretentious, stereotyping, bigoted, haughty douche! As if we of the south own all trashy behavior! I’ve been in every state in the lower 48, and to most of the big, northeastern, coastal, and mid-west, over populated, crime ridden, gang infested, violent, demon-rat party DOMINATED, corrupt as hell, crap-holes cities, and they just as over run with stray animals of all kinds! Did you save the dog, asshole? If the owner’s mood wasn’t up to your egotistical standards you should have adopted him!
Lemme’ tell you what a great southern man said many years ago, there, Miz Neil Young. A Southern-Man don’t need you around, asshole. We don’t need you nasal talking, lilly white, snobs, it’s the exact opposite, ‘YOU PEOPLE’ need US! Our food, our manufacturing that comes at a reasonable rate, vacation destinations, friendly people, and most of you damn sure don’t deserve it. We see you kooks as many Europeans see ‘ugly’ Americans! Just STAY HOME ASSHOLE! Our go to Cuba, you probably vote for their style of politics!