Dogs No Dogs
Features
Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife
Overview
Big Creek has some amazing swimming holes, the best of which is Midnight Hole, shortly after Mouse Creek Falls. Following the
Big Creek Trail, runners will make their way to the lovely campsite at Walnut Bottom, before continuing on to the Mt. Sterling fire tower (campsites directly next to it) and then back towards the Big Creek Campground.
Be sure to download the North Carolina area in the
Trail Run Project mobile app before heading out, there's not much service in the park! You can also view the National Park map
here.
Need to Know
Runner Notes
Description
Beginning at the Big Creek campground, follow the sign to the Big Creek trailhead. Roughly 1.5 miles in, visitors can find the Midnight Hole Falls and the Mouse Creek Falls at 2 miles.
This is ideal for those looking for a short journey with a nice view of the falls. It's 5.1 miles from the campground to Walnut Bottom (Campsite 37), with a moderate elevation gain. At the campsite, there is ample room for tents and hammocks and a water source in close proximity. Multiple fire pits can be found at the campsite and there is usually a decent supply of firewood in the surrounding area.
There is a significant elevation gain from the campsite at Walnut Bottom (Campsite 37) to Mt. Sterling. This is where the trail becomes strenuous, and using extra caution is highly recommended. Leaving the campsite, runners must backtrack (not even a tenth of a mile), where they will see a junction where
Big Creek Trail and
Swallow Fork Trail meet. Following
Swallow Fork Trail, visitors will cover 4 miles where they will gradually move out of the forest and onto the Mt. Sterling Ridge.
At 5,179 feet, there is a 4-way trail intersection. It's also a relatively open area, and a great spot to catch a breather before finishing the climb. Mt. Sterling can be accessed by following the
Baxter Creek Trail, which will be an additional 663-foot elevation gain.
Atop Mt. Sterling, there is a horse camp and multiple campsites. Again, there is a decent supply of firewood and a nearby water source (.5 miles down Baxter Creek towards Big Creek Campground). The fire tower is accessible, although one should be cautious. There are rails in place to hold on to as you ascend the steps, but this is not a good idea for children unless supervised. The tower provides a spectacular panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains (along with the mountains of North Carolina), one of the best views in the National Park.
For the final stretch, runners can follow
Baxter Creek Trail back down to the Big Creek campground. This is 6.2 miles with a 4,100-foot elevation loss - a rather steep descent. There are multiple points at which one can access water sources on the way back.
Trail Summary:
Big Creek Trail - 5.1 miles, 1,200 foot gain
Swallow Fork Trail - 4.0 miles, 2,200 foot gain
Mt. Sterling Trail - 1.8 miles, 660 foot gain
Baxter Creek Trail - 6.2 miles, 4,100-foot loss
Flora & Fauna
As with any trail in the Smokies, you might see black bears. There are abundant salamanders (31 different species) in the creeks. Spring wildflowers peak from early April through late May along the entire route, with some later blooms at the higher elevations.
For more information on black bears, refer to this webpage:
nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/b…
History & Background
During the American Civil War, Captain Albert Teague of the Confederate States Army apprehended three deserters: George and Henry Grooms, and Mitchell Caldwell. Teague forced the three to march from Big Creek to Mt. Sterling where they were then executed.
The fire tower was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a relief program initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal to provide jobs to individuals in need of employment.
While the fire tower is abandoned, it is equipped with radio capabilities. The tower is accessible, although caution should be exercised - the steps are sturdy and lined with guard rails, but the tower room itself is in a questionable state.
Contacts
Shared By:
Max Willner
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