Big Frog

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.

Big Frog Wilderness

This is a great hiking excursion w/ moderate to difficult terrain. My hiking partner and I enjoyed clear views through the Hemlocks and White Pines as we consistently gained elevation after leaving the trailhead. We sat on and behind some rocks along the trail at about 4000' and relaxed in the sun, out of the strong winds. From here we checked out the southern reaches of the beautiful Smoky mountains. On the return we hiked to the Rough Creek Trail and were blessed w/ healthy pretty forest and streams. The distance of this loop was approximatly ten miles. (This hike took place on 1/1/08)