Wow Dudes and Dudettes! what an awesome day for a walk in the woods. With temperatures in the lower 50's, blue skies, and a slight breeze this walk had only one drawback...it wasn't long enough!
It began along the side of Abram's Creek from where the gate crosses the road with the campground closed for the winter.
I continued through the campground up the Cooper Road trail to the Little River trail, where backcountry site #1 sits. The Cooper Road trail up 'til this point is primarily just that, an old narrow country road with a few shallow stream crossings. 
Once on the Little River trail I covered about a mile with much of the time down the steep slope which drops off the trail into Abram's creek, just checking out some of the shoreline.
Often I'll be hiking and think "hmm?, I wonder what's up there or around that bend", off the trail?
And tell myself I'll need to go off the trail one day and see. Which doesn't always happen. So today when I had the thought, and being fairly familiar with the area, I just did it.
The Little River trail continues on to backcountry site #17, which I have stayed at a few times and eventually it continues to Cades Cove, with other trail intersections along the way providing options.
The number of visitors at this end of the park relatively light.
Now the foot bridge that was washed out a few years ago at the beginning of the Rabbit Creek Trail, down here at Abram's Creek, is still out so if you choose that trail prepare to cross the creek with your boots off and a stick for balance as the water levels reach your knees and hips depending on where you choose to cross and your size.
