The Deep Creek Loop Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City

On June 2, 2018, Tammy and I headed to Bryson City, NC to continue our exploration of The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Deciding before hand to do a short hike we got a later start. We ran into traffic on I40 and got off the interstate and headed towards North Carolina via 421 over Newfound Gap.

Traffic into the tourist haven of Gatlinburg was relatively light. We made our way through town, stopped at Sugarlands Visitor Center for a couple of items then made our way up towards the State Line at Newfound Gap.

It was a beautiful day, traffic was light for the most visited National Park in America, and we made our way at speed. Clouds and sunlight made a patchwork vision of the landscape as we drove along. The forecast held a chance of rain. Veterans of rain soaked trails, we had packed rain gear in our day packs.

Taking 421 into Cherokee and then heading to Bryson City delayed our arrival at the trail head by more than an hour. Deep Creek is a tubing paradise. As we rolled towards the Deep Creek entrance we passed several tubing enterprises enticing visitors with friendly girls waving and smiling as they held up giant colored tubes.

At the trail head there was no parking and we backtracked to the picnic area to find suitable parking. The Deep Creek Trail Head is within a very short walking distance from the picnic area, just follow the sidewalk at the upper end of the picnic area back to the trail head.

We took the Juney Whank Loop up past Juney Whank Falls. The Falls were gorgeous as the heavy rains of the past few days had water levels high. We crossed the board walk in front of the Falls and continued the short loop to hook up to Deep Creek Trail.

Tubers in numbers were floating the length of Deep Creek. People of all ages, shapes and skills were making their way along. It was fun to watch as we hiked past Tom Branch Falls towards Indian Creek Trail. Retracing my steps from earlier excursions,  I looked for differences in the trail and enjoyed how the change of season changed the trail. It was drier despite the rain, the flora has taken on its beginning of summer look, spring’s new buds and wildflowers giving way to mature grasses, bushes and a different set of blooms. The canopy above now full, views off into the distance are shrouded and the shade turns the trail into a green verdant tunnel.

We turned up Indian Creek Trail and watched as a group of adventurous tubers ignored the sign stating ‘No Tubing Beyond This Point’ and headed up to the top of Indian Creek Falls. One teen waded out above the Falls and the adult of the group, an overweight gentleman huffing and puffing from climbing the slight incline, asked the young man if he wanted a bigger tube or if he was Ok with the one he had. So much for adult supervision. Debating on whether to say anything or not we stood glued to the spot like train wreck gawkers. Rational warnings sure to be ignored hovering on lips in an Oh you’ve got to be kidding me expression, we watched the youngster plunge over the Falls and bob safely away from the turbulent underflow. Is it any wonder at all that drowning is the main cause of fatalities in this Great Park?

We continued up Indian Creek Trail to where it intersected The Loop trail and made the left that led up hill towards Sunkota Ridge Trail. As we did, Thunder sounded in the distance. Joking about the rain coming when we were furtherest from the Jeep, we climbed. Sure enough the rains came. We put on our rain gear and got envious looks from hikers passing us going opposite direction from us.

The rains did not last long. It cooled us off, relieving the humidity a bit. We chatted as we made our way to the Deep Creek Trail. The Loop Trail is 1.2 miles in length. Together with Indian Creek, Deep Creek and Juney Whank Loop it makes up part of a nice little loop hike of 5+/- miles. The Three waterfalls are a highlight of this hike. The climb from Indian Creek to the intersection with Sunkota Ridge is about 1/2 mile and 400 ft elevation gain. It makes for a steady climb. We descended to Deep Creek Trail and headed back towards the picnic area.

We passed a lady out backpacking with a dog who had his own pack. The dog was very well behaved and followed her verbal directions without hesitation. We talked with her and wished her well. I wondered how this pup was not bound by the no dogs in the back country rules posted on every trail and in every guidebook? I didn’t ask. It was apparently a rules are only guidelines kind of day in Deep Creek as we passed another couple hiking with a leashed dog a little later.

All in all it was a nice little hike. There is much more yet to explore in the beautiful Deep Creek area. The Tubers were making a wonderful case for spending the day in the Creek instead of beside it too.