I have been wanting to do this hike for a long time. I wanted to see about the swimming hole and to hike on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. But really, I just love the name: Big Creek. A big name and a famous swimming hole.
The trail was a perfect option the day after a big trail run. It was a gradual ascent and felt like a leisurely hike up the creek; despite Strava saying it was a 919 foot descent for 3.5 miles
The swarming bugs and spider webs were in full force this morning. Ugh. We saw lots of horse poop and eventually two horses.
We stopped at Midnight Hole and saw fish in the water. Can you see it in the photo below, between the two rocks?
We saw Mouse Creek Falls cascading into Big Creek.
We crossed one bridge and chatted with a couple from Michigan who were heading up for an overnight backpacking trip. They told us the Backcountry Campsite 37 was closed due to bear activity, which I didn’t know about. Once I got home I verified this on the park’s website, and yes, it is indeed closed.
I need to be checking this page before hiking.
I also need to buy a Garmin InReach.
I’ve been thinking about getting one for a few months now and it’s time to invest. I plan to spend a lot of time on trails this year, and every year for that matter. It’s time.
Since this was my first time on Big Creek trail I didn’t know that the creek is usually much higher. Melani, who I frequently hike with said that the water is very low. It’s very dry in Sevier County; we need rain. The forecast is calling for clouds and thunderstorms this week. Here’s hoping it’s just rains.
It was a good day to be on the trail.
Distance: 7 miles.
Time: 2 hrs, 37 mins
What I ate: peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
What I drank: .5 L water
What I wore: Salomon hydration vest, CW-X compression shorts, Motus race top, Pistol Ultra baseball hat
What I saw: fish in the water (trout maybe), 2 horses, a few butterflies, 6 trail runners, 15 hikers going to the water hole.