Rich Mountain Loop Trail (10/17)

When we woke this morning there was a thick layer of fog throughout the valley we are staying in.  It is suppose to be sunny today so I am confident it will burn off.  We are ready to leave by 9:00 and it is 46 degrees out.  We don't get far down the road when the fog lifts and the sun comes out.  We know it is going to be a glorious day for a good hike.

We have to drive to Cades Cove and park just before the one way loop drive we were on the other day.  The traffic is already backing up, sure am glad I am not doing that loop again.  The trail head is just across the street.  This is an 8.5 mile loop hike. There aren't many loop hikes here most of them you go in and out on the same trail.  Joe talks to the ranger and he says most people go clockwise on the loop.  If you go counter clockwise it is pretty steep up hill, or you get the steep down hill coming off it when you go clockwise.  Of course Joe wants to do the steep uphill.  This is about 2.2 miles of up hill with very little flat or down hill areas.  But it is really beautiful and once up to the top I am glad we went this way.  My knees would be in bad shape if I had to go down this side.

I was never so glad to finally reach the top of the ridge and start around the other side.  This side is a little up and down but nothing very steep.  

 The views of Cades Cove were amazing when you could get them.  The trees are so thick that the views are few and far between. We finally see two other hikers coming from the other way, then a couple on horse back.  I think we saw about 20 people all day, all coming from the other direction.

We stop for some much needed nourishment, a ham sandwich never tasted so good.  Then continue on down the trail.  At lunch we were about half way.  The colors in of the trees a very nice, especially the reds.  The chilly fall temps are also wonderful.

 The down hill on this side is still steep in places but not as steep as it would of been coming down the Crooked Arm Trail. We have several streams to cross, which I did better with than usual on.  I did step in the water a couple of times.  The down hill was also very rocky.  Once at the bottom we came upon one of the settlers cabins that we had seen from the road.

 What a great hike.  I thought about all my hiking buddies back home and wished you could of been with us on this hike.  I am really sad to leave this area in the morning.

Happy trails everyone