Uphillhike

Category: Southeast

  • Trail Guide – Mitchell Lick Trail No. 154

    Trail Guide – Mitchell Lick Trail No. 154

    Trail Guide – Mitchell Lick Trail No. 154 (2.5 miles)

    From signed intersection with King Meadows Trail near Hooper Bald, Mitchell Lick Trail frequently follows old logging roads approximately 2.5 miles to a signed (barely legible and rotten sign) trail junction at the upper end of Snowbird Creek trail.  Mitchell Lick Trail allows for a nice overnight hike using King Meadows trail to make a loop that includes the entire length of Snowbird Creek trail.  A side trip to the top of Hooper Bald would be a worthwhile addition to the loop hike. Another side trip to Sassafras Falls should be considered. Mitchell Lick Trail is seldom hiked and can be difficult to follow at times.  The heavily wooded trail maintains elevation above 4000 feet as it crosses below ridge tops as it occasionally dips down to creeks during its cross slope traverse between the lower slopes of Hooper Bald and the headwaters of Snowbird Creek.

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Snowbird Creek Trail

    Kings Meadow Trail

     

    Snowbird Area Trails:

    Hooper Bald Trail

    Burntrock Ridge Trail

    Sassafras Falls Trail

     

    Map and trail details:

    Mitchell Lick Trail and the upper portion of Snowbird Creek trail are shown with the heavy blue line. Kings Meadow is in yellow and the route to Hooper Bald via Kings Meadow trail and the half mile Hooper Bald trail are shown with a green trace. To complete the loop, the remainder of Snowbird Creek and Sassafras Creek trails are also traced in yellow.

    If traveling in the direction from Hooper Bald toward Mitchell Lick (Snowbird Creek), take care where you can see from the track that I left the trail. This is not a problem traveling in the other direction.  Starting from signed trail junction with Mitchell Lick trail and King Meadows trail, look for a spot 0.2 miles from the sign where the trail splits. You should go right, dropping off the ridge top. At 0.5 miles and a gradual 206 ft descent beyond the trail sign, reach a point where the trail turns right and steeply descends for about 150 feet to rocky creek bed. Warning: It is easy to miss where the trail bears right here because a well worn trail proceeds straight ahead along the ridge line. I piled sticks to help future hikers realize the trail does not proceed straight ahead.

    After reaching the rocky creek bed, walk down the creek bed about 50 feet looking for trail on left.

    Directions to Hooper Bald and access to Mitchell Lick trail.

    Follow Snowbird Road 4.7 miles to Highway 143 (Cherehola Highway) and continue another  14.4 miles to Hooper Bald parking lot on your left. There are restrooms and picnic table at the parking lot. Hooper Bald is a half mile walk up trail from the parking lot. To reach Mitchell Lick trail, take the Hooper Bald trail and look for a trail sign only a few hundred yards beyond the parking lot. Turn right and descend on King Meadows trail. It will pass through overgrown areas and a number of split log crossings of small brooks. Some parts of the trail near its intersection with Mitchell Lick trail are hard to follow. You may see surveyor’s tape marking the trail.


    Directions to Snowbird Trailhead with access to Mitchell Lick trail via long hikes on either Snowbird Creek trail or King Meadows Trail (7.5 miles).

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A

    Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A

    Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A (9.45 miles)

    From a location at the end of Forest Service Road 75, locally known as Junction, Big Snowbird Creek trail follows Big Snowbird Creek upstream eventually intersecting Mitchell Lick Trail above the source of Big Snowbird Creek. This trail features 3 waterfalls, Big Falls (upper and lower portions), Middle Falls, and Upper Falls. Few people hike the trail beyond Middle Falls and it is very rare to encounter anyone along the trail beyond Upper Falls. The first 4.1 miles of trail follows a level and easily walked former logging road ending at a footbridge. The middle one mile stretch of Big Snowbird Creek trail between the footbridge and Middle Falls crosses the creek 11 times. These sometimes difficult creek crossings can be avoided via an alternate route, sometimes called Middle Falls trail (64A) which climbs a nearby ridge and rejoins Snowbird Creek trail a few hundred yards upstream of Middle Falls.

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Lower Section (3.9 miles)
    From Junction to Trail 64A at footbridge
    Distance: 3.9 miles
    Minimum Elevation: 2732 feet
    Maximum Elevation: 3396 feet
    Total climb: 797 feet
    Total descent: 152 feet

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Middle Section (1.2 miles)
    From footbridge to Middle Falls.

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Left Bank Section
    Middle Falls to Junction with Snowbird connector to 64A
    Distance: .33 miles

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Meadow Creek Section
    From connector junction to Meadow Creek
    Distance: 1.1 miles

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Upper Section
    From Meadow Creek to Mitchell Lick
    Distance: 2.92 miles
    Min Altitude: 3,697 ft
    Max Altitude: 4,500 ft

    Snowbird Creek Alternate (64A)

    Snowbird Creek Alternate (64A) signed as Middle Falls trail provides a means to reach Middle Falls without having to ford Snowbird creek 11 times. The trail ascends steeply at first. Reach a first signed trail junction where a right turn will lead downhill on a connector trail to Snowbird Creek trail (Sign is labeled Snowbird for that direction). This will bypass Middle Falls and provide the shortest route upstream on Snowbird trail. Alternatively, you can continue straight ahead to Middle Falls. You will shortly reach a 2nd trail sign at a junction with Snowbird Trail (64). This is the end of trail 64A. Turn left and proceed 100 yards in the downstream direction to Middle Falls. A right turn on Snowbird Trail leads in the upstream direction where the trail crosses Big Snowbird Creek in about 50 yards. Just beyond the crossing is another trail sign for the junction with Burntrock Ridge trail. Continue straight ahead making way through several campsites, to a 2nd crossing of  Snowbird creek. It is 0.33 miles between Middle Falls and the 2nd creek crossing. After this crossing, proceed on the trail upstream toward Upper Falls, Meadow Creek, and Mitchell Lick. Alternatively, you can proceed downstream on a right bank trail (right bank when looking upstream) which will lead back to the first signed junction with trail 64A.

    This section shows how the Snowbird alternate trail (64A) connects to the Snowbird trail in 2 places. First via a “Connector” trail, second directly to Snowbird trail (64) about 100 yards upstream from Middle Falls.

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Sassafras Falls Trail

    Middle Falls Trail (64A)

    Burntrock Trail

    Connecting Trail between 64A and 64

    Mitchell Lick Trail

     

    Snowbird Area Trails:

    Kings Meadow Trail

     

     

     

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A

    Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A

    Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A (1.72 miles)

    From Sassafras Creek Trail near Sassafras Falls to Big Snowbird Trail (64), this trail starts at a campsite alongside Sassafras Creek located about a tenth of a mile above Sassafras falls.  Find trail junction sign at the campsite and turn right onto Burntrock Ridge trail and proceed on a moderately steep climb toward a gap. The trail does not continue over the gap, rather it turns to the left and continues a moderately steep ascent up the ridge. The trail reaches its highest point and continues level along the ridge. Eventually the trail descends a little while continuing along the ridge top toward the west. The trail bears to the right of the ridge and begins a descent where one is more likely to encounter short sections of overgrown trail. These include patches of briars. At no time is it hard to follow the trail. Trail descends further with water seeps and turns right at Little Flat Branch where it follows the right bank. Trail crosses Little Flat Branch and continues down left bank to the junction with Big Snowbird Trail No 64. at Big Snowbird Creek.

    Turn right on Big Snowbird Trail (downstream direction) immediately crossing Big Snowbird Creek, soon passing signed junction for Middle Falls and Snowbird Alternate trail (64A) and continuing straight a short distance to reach Middle Falls.

    Turn left on Big Snowbird Trail in the upstream direction, passing through several littered campsites and cross to the right bank to continuing upstream on Big Snowbird Trail to Upper Falls and eventually Mitchell Lick.

    Distance: 1.72 miles

    Ascent: 585 feet

    Descent: 470 feet

    Interior Trail

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Sassafras Falls Trail

    Big Snowbird Creek Trail

     

    Snowbird Area Trails:

    Kings Meadow Trail

     

    Difficulty: Moderate  (Trail is more easily hiked in the direction from Big Snowbird trail to Sassafras Falls trail.)

     

     

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63

    Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63

    Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63 (7.6 miles)

    The trail can be summarized in 3 sections. The first section 1.25 miles is a steep climb from Snowbird Creek. The next section is a typical single track following ridges and skirting peaks to Deep Gap. The final section from Deep Gap to a house near Hooper Bald generally follows ridges along logging roads and deeply rutted roads.

    Detailed Trail Description:

    From near Snowbird Creek, trail ascends steeply (Strenuous) in first 1.25 miles with a climb from elevation gain of 1000 feet. Reliable water (not visible from trail) at nearby Owlcamp Branch about 200 – 300 yards to right of trail. Starting at approximately 2700 feet to 3700 feet at ridge. It reaches Fire Scald Ridge where it follows ridge with moderate walk. It skirts around west side of 4500 foot peak on a narrow trail and gradually descends into Deep Gap.  After skirting west around a 4680 foot peak, the trail climbs along Meadow Branch (on left of trail) for several hundred yards before reaching a gap with littered campsite and intersecting 4-wheel road.  Reliable water should be found along Meadow Branch.  At campsite, turn left and begin climbing to King Meadows along washed out 4-wheel tracks. Trail again skirts to the west of a 5160 foot peak as it crosses Queen Ridge. The trail reaches an opening with a house and proceeds uphill along the fenced boundary of this property. Follow signs at the gravel road back into the woods toward the left. After a short walk, reach a signed trail junction with Mitchell Lick Trail (154). King Meadows trail turns uphill to the right and becomes overgrown and a little difficult to follow for the next 300 yards. Soon Kings Meadow trail bears toward the left as it crosses a wet forested area with several small streams bridged with old split logs. Some areas of the the trail may be overgrown, but the trail is easy to follow. The trail begins a few switchbacks just before reaching its signed junction with Hooper Bald trail. Turning right will lead a half mile to open meadows and views on the bald at an elevation of 5430 feet. By traversing the bald, one can take in views of Highway 143 (Cherehola Skyway), Maryville, TN in the distance, and neighboring, Huckleberry Bald.

     

     

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area, Cherehola Parkway

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Closed Road 2579 from FS 75 near Wilson Cabin to trail at Owlcamp Branch.

    Mitchell Lick Trail No. 154 from Trail No. 415 at Mitchell Lick to Snowbird Creek Trail 64 to junction with King Meadows Trail near Hooper Bald Trailhead.

    Hooper Bald Trailhead. (Leads 0.5 miles to Hooper Bald with views of Cherehola Skyway and Huckleberry Knob)

    Various washed out 4-wheel roads.

     

    Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • The King – Kings Meadow Trail

    The King – Kings Meadow Trail

    It wasn’t the best start. I had just left my van and crossed the footbridge over Snowbird creek. I saw where the trail turned uphill. It also continued up the creek, but I thought that direction was false; a trail made by trout fishermen. It was a wrong turn. The trail followed a smaller creek, rising steeply. Eventually the trail nearly disappeared but I could see the ridge top just ahead. I popped out onto a leafy road. Following this road and my GPS, I was able to rejoin the KMT.

    Bucket grown into tree. I am on false trail.

    Leafy road that led me back toward KMT

    I reached a field, then turned left off the road onto a trail that immediately crossed this creek. Following this trail, I was soon back in the KMT.

    Trail passed through this tree. Just kidding!

    Kings Meadow

    Lot of gunfire coming from this house.

    Hooper Bald

    Difficult navigating from KMT to Snowbird trail. Finally reach the sign for Snowbird trail. Can you read it?

    Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

  • Solitary Experience – Snowbird Wilderness

    Middle Falls (Snowbird Creek)

    How many days have you hiked without seeing another person? If not days, how many hours? On this January weekend, I hiked for 2 days through the Snowbird Wilderness Study Area without seeing another person. In fact, I didn’t see people or vehicles at the trailhead parking area. I didn’t even see people or vehicles along the 4 – 5 mile length of the one lane  unpaved Forest Service Road 75 that leads to “Junction” the start of Snowbird Creek (Trail 64).

    Post a comment and let us know the longest period of time you have gone without seeing another human. Where were you and how was the weather? Bad weather is a major factor that explains why you might be the only fool out in the woods.

    I was off with clear skies and cold temps (26 degrees F). From the Big Snowbird Creek parking area the trail follows the creek upstream on an easily walked wide path (former railroad bed).  Beyond Big Falls a nice footbridge crosses the rushing creek. When I was there, the flow of the creek was such that it could be crossed, but only with care and even then with difficulty. There is no rock hopping this creek. I avoided all crossings by taking the 64A trail.

    The several trails that make up the small network of trails around Big Snowbird Creek and Sassafras Creek are practically, out and back trails. The trailhead at Junction has a large National Geographic map posted on a sign which shows several possibilities for loops leading back to Junction via the Kings MeadowTrail; however, I suspect that those loop routes are difficult if not impossible to find. I plan to return in order to explore loop possibilities. My first order of business will be to hike Kings Meadow trail the 7.9 miles up to 5400 foot Hooper Bald just off the Cherehola Parkway.

     

    This map appears on the sign at the turnabout on the end of FS 75 at the trailheads for Snowbird Creek (64) and King Meadows (63) trail heads are located. Trail 154 could be used to make a loop, but I wasn’t able to find my way up 64 much past Meadow Creek.
    Beautiful Bridge at first crossing of Snowbird Creek. Just beyond bridge you have to choose continuing on trail 64 with 11 creek crossings in a little over a mile, or trail 64A with no creek crossings. Don’t stop here, because Middle Falls is next and it is the best!
    Hipster Mobile

     

    After setting up my tent and when I was losing light, I noticed a shape moving in my direction through the rhodo undergrowth and up the hill. I got up thinking, this can’t be a bear. Earlier in the day I had seen a half dozen or more hunting dogs. A dog poked his nose from the bushes. This dog couldn’t be convinced to join me. The dog spent the night under rhododendron about 25 feet down the hill from my tent. He only reluctantly came out the next morning. It was then that I discovered a big slash across the shoulder. Later on that day the dog was chasing his nose through the woods. I guess the injury didn’t bother him too much.

    Getting There:

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

    Turn by Turn Directions

    From Robbinsville, NC just as you are entering town on Hwy 129 (coming from Topton, Andrews direction) turn right on East Main Street

    Head north on US-129 N toward 5 Point Rd
    568 ft
    Turn left onto E Main St
    0.264 mi
    Turn left onto S Main St
    604 ft
    Turn right onto Junaluska Rd
    0.343 mi
    Turn left onto Snowbird Rd
    4.73 mi
    Turn left to stay on Snowbird Rd
    2.10 mi
    Sharp left to stay on Snowbird Rd
    (Look out for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )
    1.02 mi
    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.
    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd
    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.
    4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)