Smokemont Loop - Bradley Fork - Tow String - Smokemont Stables Trail

Date:  10/12/14
Distance: 9.8
New Map Miles: 7.1
Total Map Miles: 571.9

After another sleepless night in the tent, the rain once again stopped at breakfast and it was another nice day for a hike.  I decided to finish off the trails around Smokemont by hiking the Smokemont loop trail.  The trail started behind the Camper Dump station by crossing an old bridge.  On my way to the trailhead, I found Yvonne who was looking for some company on the trail, so we hiked together.  I was surprised that the loop climbed about 1300' over 2 miles, so it was a workout in the morning.  The loop trail was a nice walk in the woods on a Sunday Morning.  It ended at the Bradley Fork Trail where we turned right toward the campground.

At the Tow String Trail, Yvonne and I parted ways and I headed down the nasty horse trail while she went back to the campground.  Tow String has a few ups and downs ending at Tow String Road which is a mile or so down 441 from Smokemont.  I had intended to walk back up the road, but there was a gravel road that looked to be going the right way, so I took it.  It also had a sign that said Newton Bald Trail and was pointed down the road.  Since Newton Bald is directly across the river from the campground, I thought it was a good choice.  0.6 miles or so down the road, there was another Newton Bald sign which pointed down a very small horse trail.  I followed it and was disappointed to find after 0.5 miles that there was a ford over the river.  I wasn't up for that, so I bushwacked a while and eventually came out at the Smokemont stables.  I spotted the gravel road also coming to the stable.  I should have stayed on it.

At the stable I walked up the road to the Church, and then took the Stable trail back to Bradley Fork (1mi).  It was a horrible muddy trail.  Back at Bradley, I turned left and went to the car for the long drive home.