The early morning pic was taken at the Balsalm Bunches Overlook on the BRP.
Our hike this week in the GSMNP started at Kephart Prong Trailhead, about 4 miles outside of Cherokee, and finished up at the Smokemont Campground in Cherokee. This hike required 2 vehicles. We parked one in the front parking area at the campground and the other one at the trailhead. Total distance was 15.2 miles. Lots of Waterfalls and water crossings on this hike. While hiking up Kephart toward Grassy Branch, you will pass the remnants of a CCC Camp and hike by the Kephart Shelter. Grassy Branch continues the upward climb toward Dry Sluice. At Dry Sluice Gap, the trail begins a downward descent toward the 0.6 mile Cabin Flat Trail Spur, where back country campsite 49 is located. It's a good place for a meal break with a great view of the river. While eating lunch, we had several deer to come down the trail. After lunch we hiked back down the spur and picked up the Bradley Fork Trail. It's an old road bed and follows the river. Bradley Fork led us to our last section of our hike, Smokemont Loop. The back section is 3.9 miles long with a strenuous (i.e. 🥵🤬 ) uphill climb the first 1+ miles, with the rest of the trail being downhill and ending toward the front of the campground. A short walk will get you back to your vehicle. A challenging hike for sure with all the water crossings and changes in elevation. Until next time. Safe Hiking 🥾 everyone.