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Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Big Creek Loop
Climb Mt. Sterling and hike through history on this 16.9-mile loop through the eastern Smokies.
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| Author: | bopark42330 |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | North Carolina (NC) |
| Distance: | 16.86 mi |
| Difficulty: | 7 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
In a park know for abundant and beautiful creeks, they don't get any better than the one called Big. And the first part of the route follows an old railroad grade--used to transport trees during the logging boom at the start of the 20th century--making for a gentle entry into the deceptively steep Smokies. Allow plenty of time for frequent stops at swimming holes and a waterfall in the first few miles of the hike: Midnight Hole is a deep blue gem just 1.4 miles in; Mouse Creek Falls is a 45-foot cascade just a bit farther. (Tip: Camp along the Big Creek Trail just beyond the old logging camp at Walnut Bottom.) Spend the second night atop 5,760-foot Mt. Sterling, where there's a small glade with prime tent sites and a lookout tower with magical views.
TO TRAILHEAD: From Knoxville, follow I-40 to Waterville; exit SW. Turn R then veer L onto Waterville Rd. Follow straight to Big Creek entrance. Pass ranger station and park in lot just beyond Big Creek trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Big Creek
| Distance: 16.86 mi | Points: 6579 |
Points of Interest
GSM001
Location: 35.751798, -83.109630From the trailhead, head southwest
GSM002
Location: 35.743294, -83.120911Midnight Hole; deep blue gem replenished by a 15-ft. waterfall; watch for colorful trout below
GSM003
Location: 35.735725, -83.133820Mouse Creek Falls, a rumbling feeder for Big Creek
GSM004
Location: 35.735714, -83.146076Brakeshoe Spring, named for the train part once wedged here to create a fountainlike effect; refill bottles
GSM005
Location: 35.718628, -83.162918Veer L onto Swallow Fork Trail; pass through Walnut Bottom (old logging camp, now tree-filled). Option: Stay straight on Big Creek Trail for great campsite
GSM006
Location: 35.691531, -83.139596Continue steep ascent; go straight @ old RR grade intersection
GSM007
Location: 35.686494, -83.141806Pretty Hollow Gap; great break spot. L onto Mt. Sterling Ridge path
GSM008
Location: 35.697351, -83.125906Stay straight @ Y to ascend Mt. Sterling; see flora change from hardwoods to conifers on this breezy ridgeline
GSM009
Location: 35.702196, -83.122301Mt. Sterling summit (5,760 ft.), small glade with prime tent sites, lookout tower, magical views; L to Baxter Creek Trail
GSM010
Location: 35.717755, -83.108890Straight @ Y
GSM011
Location: 35.746617, -83.113954Hike through flat, tree-covered area, once home to a logging camp
GSM012
Location: 35.750735, -83.108922Turn L; cross Big Creek; return to parking lot
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