There was a torrential downpour all night long that second night. In the morning the river behind us was raging. We left Grumpy Bear Campground early that morning and drove into Cherokee where there was a good reminder Covid was going on.
We drove into Smokey Mountains NP and stopped at the visitor center. This time the elk were much nearer the road.
We drove on to Smokemont Campground and got a site. Since it was too early to check in, we drove the Cove Road loop through the Cherokee Reservation. All the creeks were raging.
Returning to Smokemont from Cove Road, we set up in out site and ate lunch. It drizzled rain the entire day.
Early that morning I hiked half of the Smokemont Loop Trail. I started out on the horse trail.
I hiked along the creek, which was raging like every other creek or river.
I crossed on a terrifying log bridge. It was high, and narrow, and rain-slick, and covered with slippery moss, with only a rickety limb railing.
I took my time. Stopping to take pictures.
After getting off on the other side, I looked back.
Continuing on the trail, I quickly came upon another log footbridge, only it wasn’t nearly as disturbing.
The trail continued up a mountain for a mile or so.
It was sloppy muddy and slick.
It was so rough going I gave up on it and turned back.
I made it back down to the river.
Which meant I had to cross that log bridge again. I did, without mishap. Then it was back toward the campground on the horse trail. On the way, some horses passed me.
I figure I did 5-5.5 miles by the time I got back to the site and crashed. After lunch we drove into Cherokee and walked around, then drove into the Smokies nearly all the way to Newfound Gap.
We were out late enough to get some good dusky shots.
Then it was back to the campground for the night.
Next Location – Smoky Mountains National Park, Smokemont Campground 2, North Carolina
From the North Rim 