Photos taken by Owen Hall
Exploring the hiking trails and parks.
You see the same buildings, halls and faces every day here on campus, and let’s be honest, it gets quite monotonous. But only an hour away, you could find yourself in the Great Smoky Mountains, beautiful lush green forests with trails that lead you to breathtaking views. So why not trade in your everyday campus walk for a stunning hike right here in East Tennessee?
The Smoky Mountains are a crucial part of East Tennessee's history, dating back to the Cherokee Native Americans who once inhabited this land. The Cherokee people chose the name Smoky Mountains due to the blue mist that would float above the mountains when looking at them from afar. Yet, over time, colonists took over this space, which led to fighting over the land. A few centuries later, those who had settled began to become more inclined to the idea of conserving this land. Calvin Coolidge in 1926 signed a bill that established the Great Smoky Mountains as a national park.
Today, the national park comprises around 500,000 acres and close to 850 miles of hiking trails. Even if you have never hiked before, the Smoky Mountains most likely have a trail specifically for you! Throughout today’s article, I am going to go into detail about hikes from beginner trails to fun hikes for those up for a challenge.
Everyone loves a waterfall, one favorite local spot is Laurel Falls. It is a shorter hike, only about 1.3 miles up to the waterfall itself. The falls themself are around 75 feet tall and make for beautiful sights and photographs. Laurel Falls does have some steep sides to the trail, so make sure to keep an eye out for your friends who are making sure to get the best angle for a photo of the falls. Be sure to check out all the details of the falls and their rules to make sure that you have the best experience possible.
Another popular spot that is on the easier side would be the Gatlinburg Trail. This trail is a little bit longer than Laurel Falls, coming in at about a four-mile roundtrip hike. One thing about this trail that should be exciting to most is that it is pet-friendly! This trail has less elevation grain and also has easy access to the Little Pigeon River if you or your pet want to dip your toes in the refreshing water. If you keep following the trail till it ends, you will find yourself on a road that leads to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where they have plenty of souvenirs, restrooms and refreshments. The visitor center also has plenty of employees there to help you pick and find the right trail for you.
For those who go hiking every now and then and are prepared for slightly longer hike with some more elevation gain, there is the Grapeyard Ridge Trail. This hike also features some historical highlights. You will begin the descent down Rhododendron Creek, which varies in water level depending on the time of year you visit. If you are looking for a drier hike and to keep your feet from getting wet, I recommend you try this hike around summer or fall. You will come across the remains of a steam engine wreck, where many of the pieces were salvaged, yet many are still there in the creek bed to this day. The wreck itself marks the end of the Grapeyard Ridge Trail.
This next hike is for those who have a few hours and a love for nature and plants. The Huskey Gap Trail falls right in the category of a mild to moderate type of hiking, coming in at about a nine-mile round trip. One thing about this trail is that in late April, it is highlighted for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Every year during the spring, this area blooms with many different species of wildflowers that people from all over flock to see.
To round out our list of hikes, I give you Mount Le Conte via the Bullhead trail, which is around a 14-mile round trip. Mt. Le Conte is the third-highest peak in all of the Smoky Mountains. At the top of this peak, you will see beautiful panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains. Also, at the peak of Mt. Le Conte, you will see the Le Conte Lodge, which used to be a camp for Washington, D.C. officials to come visit to see why the cause for National Parks and conservation was so important. Now, you can make reservations to stay in one of the historic lodges, or you can just grab baked goods and refreshments on your way to finish the hike!
No matter what you are looking for whether that be a good workout or just to enjoy the beauty of nature, the Great Smoky Mountains has a trail for every one of you. As students, we are lucky to be so close to such breathtaking views. Whenever you need a break from campus or studying for exams, I encourage you to hit the trail and enjoy the fresh mountain air!
