This really peaceful hike covered 8.5+, RT, miles in the Cherokee National Forest and the Big Frog Wilderness area. The hike began at Thunder Rock campground where we picked up a trail that may have been West Fork, Benton MacKaye, which hooked us up w/ Rough Creek, Big Creek, but maybe Wolf Ridge trail. Though that excludes Licklog Ridge and Grassy Gap. Along this walk we may have been on, or crossed the Chestnut Top trail and were often on trails which paralleled the Benton MacKaye trail.
The walk began w/ some short, steep switch backs on a hiker only trail and mellowed some as it merged w/ an old Forest Service road. At what appeared to be 2.6 miles in we came to a road crossing and trail intersection at which the only clear reading I could make confirmed what the fella' had told us in the parking lot as we prepared to start. That was to cross the road and follow the West Fork route.
I'll say this it was a beautiful walk in in the woods where we encountered few folks, w/ birds and small animals frequent. More on this hike later.
Ok, to continue. This was a very pretty and enjoyable walk. The route brought us to, and across several streams and through beautiful forest. We stopped and enjoyed some veggies wrapped in "Tore tea ya's", (Practicing my pronunciation). We continued on for another 15 minutes before turning and finding our way back as we had covered some ground and did not want to lose the light. Another great hike in Southern Appalachia. Thanks mysterious one.
Mysterious One has left a new comment on your post "Big Frog":
ReplyDeleteThank you...What a sunshiny and enjoyable walk, perfect peace and beauty. This trail is shared at some points with mountain bikers who are slower (due to fairly steep incline) than the two of us on foot. Wonderful mixture of pine and hardwood, )fir and beech)? If we'd had time to continue, with plans made for an overnighter, there is no doubt the top of Big Frog would have made the perfect camping spot, maybe 4 1/2 miles further, maybe less. Next Time!
My POV is that the Benton MacKaye and West Fork trails are one and the same for some time, even as we crossed Chestnut Ridge. This trail will take a hiker all the way to Springer Mountain, intersecting with the AT somewhere in Georgia. Cool,huh.