I hiked the Big Creek Trail this week. To reach this trail, get off of I-40 East at exit 451. It is about 2.2 miles to the Big Creek entrance to the national park. Big Creek Trail starts from the Big Creek picnic ground parking lot (across the road). Two miles up, the trail is closed due to severe damage from Hurricane Helene.
Midnight Hole is about a mile and a half up the trail on the left. It is a popular swimming spot in the park. Swimming is not recommended by the national park because there are no lifeguards and several risks associated with this activity within the park. Midnight Hole gets its name because the pool of water appears very dark.
Midnight Hole
Two miles up the trail on the left is Mouse Falls (about 20 feet tall).
Mouse Falls
Concerning note: Four people were on the trail with a Doberman Pinscher dog. Dogs are not permitted on trails except for the Gatlinburg trail and a trail on the North Carolina side of the park near Cherokee (must be on a leash no longer than six feet).
I saw several wildflowers in all stages of bloom.
Pale Jewelweed
- Beard Tongue – Few – Slightly passed peak bloom.
- Pale Jewelweed – Few – Just starting to bloom.
- Purple Flowering Raspberry – Few – Past peak bloom.
- Rosebay Rhododendron – Many – Some at peak bloom.
- Spotted Jewelweed – Few – Just starting to bloom.
- White Clover – Few – Well past peak bloom.
- Wild Hydrangea – Many + – Mostly past peak bloom.
- Wood Nettle – Few – Just starting to bloom.
Tom Harrington is a regular hiker who reports on his hikes and mountain stories from the Smokies. See more of his column here.
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