This quite lovely and little know trail was recently scouted by a few of our members.
It does not appear in any of our hiking guidebooks although it is destined to become a part of the
expanded Benton MacKaye Trail eventually. It presents a quiet, lovely stroll
along a fine trout stream for a mile or more. The trail is relatively level, does not cross
the creek, and it quite good shape for a trail so remote. It has in the past been a jeep road
which accounts for it's "missing" status in trail guides and also for the relatively easy going.
There is one trail intersection with no. 86, which goes up the side of Whigg Ridge after about
1/3 mile. Trail 86 is in poor shape! Continue by the creek unless you desire a real "wilderness"
experience!
Sycamore Creek is quite lovely, clear and cascading. When this trail was scouted, we were in the
midst of an extensive dry spell. In spite of the weather, this creek had quite a bit of water
and there appeared to be quite a bit of ground water in the area. There was one very fine primative campsite.
It does turn and ascend Whigg Ridge with a series of switchbacks. This portion of the trail
is also in good shape and the climb is moderate. Eventually the ridge top is gained and a
fine view of Rough Ridge to the east is seen. The forest is this area is nearly all hardwood
and the fall colors are spectacular. Once on the ridgetop, about 3 miles from the trailhead
the trail deteriorates somewhat in an area that appears to have been logged. One of the
"scouts" commented that the only thing wrong with this trail was that there was no "destination"
as in waterfall, etc. The trail ends after about 5 miles at another forest service road, FS618.
This is a lovely,easy trail for fall color or , in the spring, the mountain
laurel should be spectacular on the sunny ridgetops!
To find this trail take whatever route suits you best to Tellico Plains.
The simplest (not the shortest) is to go north on I75 to SR68
(Sweetwater exit) and then go east to Tellico Plains. Follow the signs
for the Cherohala Skyway to the
junction with FS345, which has a sign pointing to Bald River Falls.
Go past the falls to the Fish Hatchery where there is ample parking at a visitor's parking lot.
The trail number is 165 and there is a sign marking the trailhead.
This trail is approximately 80 miles from Chattanooga.
For more information or to purchase a map contact:
Tellico Ranger District
Route 3, Tellico River Road
Tellico Plains, TN. 37385