Deep Creek in the GSMNP

Hello, and what a weekend!  "The Mysterious One", and I met over on the NC side of the GSMNP, in order to hike up the Deep Creek Trail and vicinity from campsite #56.  Now this was the first time for me to hike this trail and I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of people once past the tubing area popular at the trailhead.
The section of the Deep Creek Trail we backpacked and which is described here is accessible from Bryson City NC.  This trail is moderate for the most part with a few imposing inclines within the first 7 miles.  It meanders along side the Deep Creek; basically a small river in most spots, with a few wet springs coming off the mountainside which could pose a slippery challenge during the wet seasons.
The wonderful thing I thought, was the lack of overnight campers at any of the campsites we passed in the cluster of sites stretched over a few miles before we came to #56.  The first thing for us to do after we arrived at the site was to drop the packs, survey the area and get in the creek!!
Dudes and Dudettes! There was an excellent flow of water in Deep Creek near the campsite with spots deep enough to fully submerge oneself without difficulty!  This creek must be really hooked up with excellent water sources feeding it.  As I was enjoying the cool water I remarked that this is a hikers dream to find a big flowing stream this close to a campsite after a hot sweaty hike.  How many times I have wished for even a small a water hole as the sweat dries to my body.
The only big wildlife I saw was a deer crossing the trail just before we got back into the masses at the trailhead on Sunday afternoon.

This trail provides access to numerous other trails with day, and overnight loops available from it.  The lengths and difficulty of the various routes off the Deep Creek Trail are enhanced with access to a second vehicle or shuttle.