Rough Fork, Caldwell Fork and Big Fork Trails

Rough Fork, Caldwell Fork and Big Fork Trails
July 18, 2015
10.2 Miles Total
10.2 New Miles
471.49 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
160.70 Total Miles in 2015

Butterflies, Bridges and Bugs!  

This is a beautiful area to hike and explore.  We were along the water most of the day which I love except that when you are on a horse trail and near water you get to spend your day fighting with bugs.  I have actually never used bug spray until today and I used it many, many times.  

All three trails were beautiful and very peaceful.  Rough Fork does have quite a climb.  Around 2000 feet in 2 miles.  The humidity made it feel much hotter than it actually was.  But there were several neat things to see along the way;  such as the Woody Home Site, huge trees, butterflies, frogs and creeks.

Caldwell Fork was a nice, flat, calm area.  Perfect for a rest after the climb on Rough Fork.

Then we were onto climb Big Fork.  It only climbs about 50 feet over 2 miles but it feels much steeper when your legs are tired.

I had to do a small section of Boogerman that I missed last time as well.  It was very overgrown but not difficult at all.

Loved how the split was trail on one side and creek on the other

Woody Home Site

Mr. Grasshopper

Mr Frog

"Believe you can, and you're halfway there."  Teddy Roosevelt

Roundtop Trail

Roundtop Trail
July 11, 2015
7.6 Miles Total
7.6 New Miles
461.29 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
150.50 Total Miles in 2015


Roundtop Trail isn't challenging as far as the elevation gain but the terrain is challenging.  The trail is hardly ever hiked so it is very over grown, narrow and hard to find in a couple places.  We put off hiking it a couple times because the end of the trail crosses through the river at the Townsend Wye.  The crossing can be challenging after a good rain.

About half a mile into the hike we came around the corner and came up behind this momma bear.  I came to a dead stop and waited to see what she would do.  She turned to face me and stared at me for a while, then she started walking off the trail so we thought we were safe.  Then all the sudden she bluff charged us.  She jumped forward about 10 feet within seconds and made a loud grunt with her mouth.  I backed up with my hands in the air and gave her her space.  I then looked over to the left of the trail and saw her two babies, one on a log and one up in the tree.  After a few minutes the bear family walked on down the mountain and we continued our hike.   This is definitely a day I will never forget.  I absolutely love black bears and am so glad I got to experience this.

We came upon a few wildflowers on our hike.  And a giant mushroom.

Towards the end of the trail are several really cool rock formations.

Then we reached the end of the trail and in the water we went.  The water was up to my belly button and flowing pretty swiftly.  It almost knocked me down a couple times but I made it across. Then since I was already wet and the water felt good, I figured I might as well enjoy it!  

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."-  Frank A Clark

Laural Falls Trail to Cove Mountain Trail

Laurel Falls Trail to Cove Mountain Trail
July 4, 2015
14 Miles Total
10.9 New Miles
453.69 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
142.9 Total Miles in 2015

Laurel Falls

4 Miles

Laurel Falls Trail is a steady climb up to the junction with Cove Mountain.  Most people only hike the first 1.3 miles to the waterfall then turn around.  That section is paved and fairly easy.  Luckily, we arrived early enough to beat the crowd.  This is usually a very crowded trail section but we had the waterfall all to ourselves.  

Can you see the bunny?

Smoky loves seeing waterfalls so we had to get his picture here :)

After a few minutes at the falls we had to press on, we had a long hike ahead.

Rhododendrons, my favorite!

I like big trees and I cannot lie :)

Only 0.9 to the junction with Cove Mountain Trail!

That was definitely a climb and VERY humid!

Cove Mountain Trail

8.4 Miles

From this junction you can go an extra 0.2 miles and visit the fire tower (it is locked though).

There were still plenty of flowers blooming along Cove Mountain Trail.

Some of my favorite reasons for hiking in the rain are how bright all the colors become, the critters come out to play and I think it looks neat to hike in the fog.  

The end!  And still smiling through the painful feet :)

"It's impossible to walk in the woods and be in a bad mood at the same time"