Rich Mountain then OTG

This is a route which I tried last year about this time I think and today was as challenging as I recalled, and more. I started at the Rich Mtn. trailhead and climbed this strenuous route at healthy clip stopping once to lose a layer early into the climb and another short pause to take some pictures. The OTG section takes one down into a deep and steep drainage off of Rich Mtn trail about a 1/2 mile from the top. As the stream grows and the drainage widens becoming a hollow it is possible to follow closer to the stream, which I did not always do. Doing this you may avoid some of the very steep grades however in doing so you have some rock hopping and rodo's to deal with.

This is some beautiful forest! Trillium was blooming and there are numerous waterfalls some bigger than others. For instance the one in the photo is probably 15' cascading over and down the face of a boulder while others were not as big, though as pleasing to the senses. This stream parallels Rich Mtn. trail for part of the way and also the route taken into and over the Rich Mtn. Gap pass into Cades Cove.