This trail head lies just across the street from the east end of Metcalf Bottoms and would be considered moderate to difficult over its 3.3 mile length depending on your condition. The Curry Mountain trail can seem imposing when one starts the walk and over the first mile there is a considerable climb however it eventually mellows with a broken pattern of declines, flat spots and a general incline over the next two plus miles.
I found the trail clear and wide and after the first mile or so I began to have some great views to the east framed often with pink and white Mountain Laurels. These Mountain laurels were scattered on both sides of the trail, sometimes quite thick, over the next two miles.
The Curry Mountain trail parallels the Little River road more or less for the first mile and thus there was audible traffic noise for about 30 minutes into this walk.
Each time I've walked this trail I've enjoyed it especially after the first mile or more traveling in the direction chosen today. At the 3.3 mile mark it intersects with the Meigs Mountain trail which to the left will take you by campsite #20 on the way to Elkmont, or to the right and a short distance to campsite #19 before continuing on to Tremont.
My husband, son and I happened upon and hiked this trail on 4/10/11. The streams were flowing nicely and the wildflowers were abundant along the way. I would agree that the first mile or so was pretty steep and a little noisy due to the traffic below. Surprisingly, most of the last section of the trail appeared to be an old logging or wagon road. Over-all, a safe trail that appeared to be not overly traveled but worth the time and effort.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah! And yes, some of the trails in the park are along old rail beds built for the trains which hauled timber from these mountains before it was protected. A great example of this can be found on the Middle Prong Trail which is a moderate hike with a beautiful cascading waterfall only about 1/2 mile up the trail. For your eyes only, there is another set of falls about 4 miles up middle prong, about an 1/8th of a ml. after you cross a wooden bridge and just as the trail takes a hard left there is a man-way to the falls on the right. You'll have heard the falls and stream over to your right after you crossed the bridge and starting gaining some elevation but the easiest access is as described.
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