We parked at the trail head for Pretty Hollow Gap Trail. There is a picnic area and toilets here so one can start their hike fresh. The plan was an in and out on Little Cataloochee Trail for a total of 12 trail miles.
The days adventure began with 0.8 mile walk up Pretty Hollow Gap to the intersection with Little Cataloochee Trail a 5.2 mile section of trail that terminates at Hwy 284. It is a horse and hiking trail and evidence of equine activity was scattered along our route. The walk out Pretty Hollow was easy, the sun was out and there was a taste of summer in the warm, humid air.
Little Cataloochee began its ascent immediately as we left Pretty Hollow. The ground on the right side of the trail had been burned recently as the blackened charred remains of dead trees and lack of significant undergrowth testified to the fire. The left side of the trail was green with growth, a scattering of wildflowers brightening the landscape. The trail itself is rocky, muddy and wet with some water flowing down the trail itself in places Hiking poles or a stick are recommended as the footing can be treacherous due to the slick rocky base of the trail in many places.
Little Davidson Branch Creek flows back and forth and the trail up towards Davidson Gap crosses and recrosses it several times creating some easy and some more challenging crossings. We had fun taking pictures of one another gracefully or not crossing this little water hazard. Robert had the most fun salamander spotting.
We left the creek and began a serious climb towards Davidson Gap. The trail ascended past a really long rock wall and switchbacked to rise towards the Gap the highest point of our hike. At the Gap, a nice flat place with a couple of horse ties flanking a couple of logs used for resting, we took a short break before heading down into Little Cataloochee.
The descent out of the Gap passed another rock wall and switched back and went down to where it became more road than trail. One of the best things about this hike was exploring the structures remaining in the valley.
The Dan Cook cabin appears through the trees as one is trudging along and for a moment I just stopped and looked at it through the trees imagining a traveler having walked many miles in the Wilderness coming upon signs of civilization. What must it have been like to have lived in this place? It is hard to imagine the forest gone and farmland in its place, a thriving community of hardworking survivors forcing a living out of the land.
Tbe little cabin is picturesque in its current setting and we shrugged off our packs and explored the building. When we headed on down the road we still had well over 2 1/2 miles of trail to go before turning around to head back.
We hiked 0.7 miles and came to Little Cataloochee Baptist Church. We decided to hike to the highway and stop and explore on our way back. Hiking down hill mostly we passed the Hannah Cabin and the intersection with Long Bunk Trail. Hungry and tired now we pressed on to the end of the trail. We passed a few other hikers on this section of trail.
At the highway we took a short break for refreshments then headed back the way we had come. Going back on a trail is almost like doing a different trail, perspective is different and different things catch the eye. Some major landmarks let you know you have been this way before, but the different view let’s you appreciate what you missed first time through.
As we began our climb back towards the Hannah Cabin where we planned to lunch it began to rain. Rain in the forest has to get through the canopy before it gets to you. I found the shower cooling and I never got totally drenched. It stopped raining by the time we got back to the Hannah Cabin where we ate. It rained on us a little more as we hiked to and explored the church. Thunder sounded ominously in the distance as we retraced our steps back up the mountain towards Davidson Gap. Being tired the climb back up is more challenging and with thunder rumbling we were a little anxious to get some distance down.
The thunder never developed into a storm where we were. As we made our way back towards the vehicle Robert officially got his 250 miles in. Congratulations Robert! I am looking forward to more family adventures in the Smokies!
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 