Distance: 15.2 mi
Today I hiked with the GSHAG group up to Rocky Top. We started from the back of the Cades Cove Picnic area. We climbed up the Anthony Creek Trail (3.5mi) to the Bote Mountain trail. It was quite a climb (1800') to Bote Mountain and then another hard climb to the AT on Bote Mountain. At the AT, we turned left and went out to Rocky Top (~1mi) which was also a hard climb. There were a few nice views as the clouds moved through. I could imagine that on a clear day, it would be very spectacular. Regardless of the clouds it was very rewarding to reach the summit and the views we did see were beautiful. The total elevation gain was approximately 3600'. The open fields on the top of the mountain were interesting to see.
We returned on the AT to the Bote Mountain trail intersection and then continued on the AT to Russell Field. We then returned to the Cades Cove picnic area via the Russell Field trail. The final 1.6 miles was back on the Anthony creek trail.
We started at approximately 8:30 and didn't get back until 4:30. However I spent about 30 minutes at the summit, an additional 30 minutes at Russell Field, and stopped for 10-15 minute breaks at the Anthony Creek/Bote Mtn intersection and 10-15 minutes at the Anthony/AT intersection.
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