Elkmont Hike      

We meet at 8:00am at the Chota Center, across the street from the Gas Station.

Rating: Moderate            Elevation: 400 feet gain  

Distance: 5.4 miles 

Driving Time: 90 minutes. 

Leader:  Cheryl Thompson 

Brief Description of the hike: 

The Elkmont area is halfway between Townsend and the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Elkmont is one of the more popular hiking areas of the Smokies.  It is also the site of the Appalachian Clubhouse settlement. 

We will begin our hike on the Jakes Creek Trail and continue onto cucumber Gap Trail.  Most of the elevation gain (400 feet) is on this portion of the hike.  We will be hiking through the forest that was harvested by the Little River Lumber Company, one hundred years ago.  We will pass various ravines and small waterfalls.  The trail of this portion of the hike is narrower and has some tree roots. 

We will exit the Cucumber Gap Trail onto the Little River Trail. This is a wide, hard packed gravel path with a gradual descent back to the parking area.  This trail parallels the Little River. We will pass numerous waterfalls and currents rushing over rocks in the river. 

At the conclusion of the hike, we will have lunch on the grassy area near the parking lot.  Consider bringing a blanket or tarp to put on the ground. There are no picnic tables. 

Restrooms are available near the parking area for use. 

Bring water, snacks and lunch to eat.  Hiking boots and poles are strongly encouraged. 

Directions: 444/Tellico Parkway to 321/Townsend.  At the traffic light in Townsend, continue straight onto Hwy 73, do not turn left onto 321. Note after about 2.5 miles on Hwy 73, at the “Y” junction, follow signs for Gatlinburg, NOT Cades Cove. Continue on HWY 73 a total of 17.5 miles and turn Right into the Elkmont campground. 

Continue 1.5 miles. On the left hand side of the road, turn at the sign for Elkmont Nature Trail, Little River, Trail, Jake’s Creek Trail (1.0) mile. When you reach the parking lot, continue up the hill to the right following the sign “Additional Parking”. This is the parking lot for Jakes Creek. Park here then walk down the hill, past the houses to the restroom building. We will depart from the parking lot for our hike.