It is perhaps slightly misleading to list Cold Spring Gap as a destination. There is no direct route there that doesn’t entail at least 10 miles of fairly rigorous hiking, which implies an overnight stay somewhere in the park. Therein lies one of the appealing factors. There is an inverse law that the farther one …
Bradley Fork and Chasteen Creek
For a surreal experience, head to Chasteen Creek in June. This entire area is noted for its firefly population that explodes in early summer. However, I saw the biggest concentration along Chasteen Creek. Sit outside in the middle of the night and watch the woods literally light up—it feels as if you were suddenly thrust …
Nolan Creek
Nolan Creek is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Of course this can be said of many areas of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Nolan Creek combines an idyllic setting of frolicking stream, thick deciduous canopy and wide curving trail, almost more of a country road than a hiking trail. Considering its nearness to the road …