Mt Sterling Trial, Mt Sterling Ridge Trail, Balsam Mountain Trail, Palmer Creek Trail and Pretty Hollow Gap Trial

Mt Sterling Trial, Mt Sterling Ridge Trail, Balsam Mountain Trail, Palmer Creek Trail and Pretty Hollow Gap Trial
October 5, 2015
16.8 Miles Total
14.5 New Miles
533.09 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
222.30 Total Miles in 2015

If you like a challenge this is a good loop for you!  Especially if you go after a week of rain!  

We started our hike on the Mt Sterling Trail.  This trail is straight up for 3.2 miles and the climb starts as soon as you get out of the car.  I pulled up on my parking brake a few times just to make sure because even where you park is steep!  It was a foggy day but the leaves were just beginning to change colors so it was pretty.  I don't mind the fog sometimes,  it's kinda neat looking and it keeps you feeling cooler.  After the first climb of 3.2 miles the rest of the trail is pretty easy other that the distance.  This was the longest day hike I had done so far.  We ended up walking a total of a little over 19 miles because you have to walk down Balsam Mountain Road for a bit to get to Palmer Creek Trail.  Palmer Creek Trail offers many challenges as it is in need of some trail maintenance from the storms.  There were trees down across the trail around every turn it seemed.  I don't mind the challenges though, it keeps the hike interesting.  

You can barely see Sam up the trail from me because of the fog

Thought this tree was pretty neat

The trail was basically a creek all day

The view from Mt Sterling Ridge Trail

Our second trail of the day was Mt Sterling Ridge Trail.  Being up on the ridge gave us a break from walking in the creek/ trail.

The roots of a tree that had fallen

Beautiful view of the colorful leaves

As we started heading down the Balsam Mountain Trail we got back to walking in the creek/ trail.

Laurel Gap Shelter
We stopped here for a lunch break.

This creek crossing was just about impossible.  It was about 2 feet deep at the crossing and flowing fast.

More trees across the trail, this set of trees were especially challenging.

Pretty Hollow Gap, the final trail of the day.  Very happy to see this sign.

"The start is what stops most people"- Don Shula