I decided for my first full day to test out my new boots and do something on my own. I flipped through my day hikes book and found this one, an eight mile round trip from the Sugarlands Visitor’s Center.
Distance: about 8 miles round trip
Total Elevation climb: about 1200 feet
Trail Type: sections of single track dirt and gravel horse trail
Temperature: 40s, cloudy
Time: 1:30 moving uphill, 1:00 moving downhill
Significant Features: the crick
I chose this hike because it was threatening rain for the afternoon. I had intended to turn around after about 2 miles, but found out the rain was holding off. I hiked the whole thing, all the way up to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. I ate lunch there and then headed back. The trail is a steady climb up from Sugarlands, so be ready. A little rain did start to fall and I was a bit concerned about getting caught in a downpour, so I didn’t find the old school, CCC camp or cemetery along the trail.
Overall a nice warm up hike that is easily accessible.
Pictures are HERE