Rich Mountain Trail

Wow!  This spring hike was very pleasant and brought with it lots of blooming plants and one of the many varieties of Salamanders found in this area of the Appalachians.  I began this hike from the access point on where Rich Mtn. rd. leaves the park and where you can reach it coming from Townsend, without having to drive through the park and into Cades Cove.  I have done the Rich Mtn. Loop from this point and though it adds a few miles to the hike I prefer that to the time I'd spend in car getting to and from the Cades Cove loop.






























This area of the Appalachain Mountains, in which the GSMNP sits, is the salamander capitol of the world (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/amphibians.htm).  Currently 30 different species have been identified.  This salamander was floating with several others in the well site for the old  Rich Mtn. fire tower site atop Cerulean Knob, the highest point on Rich Mountain at 3686'.  This hike would be a moderate to strenuous hike for the the experienced , conditioned hiker, depending on the rate at which one climbs up the continuous 2+ mile incline from the trailhead to campsite #5, and the trail junction.
I do this hike often as a day hike and find it challenging each time as well as rewarding with lots of flowers blooming in some fashion throughout most of the year and some awesome views from the fire tower site looking back at Clingmans Dome and some higher peaks in that vicinity.  Another great hike to be grateful for.  Peace