Rocky Top (Anthony Creek - Bote Mountain - AT)

Date: 5/9/15
Distance: 12.8

Today I went on Angel's Birthday hike with Jeannie, Jenn, Jean, Heather, Margie, Trang, Todd, Rob, Steve and Chuck.  The company was really enjoyable.   The day however was quite warm and humid, so the climb seemed extra tough.

We started on Anthony Creek Trail whose trailhead is in the back of the Cades Cove picnic area.  Anthony starts on a gravel road, but after a mile or so, it becomes more of a single track trail.  It is very rocky in places and pretty steep.

There were a good number of wild flowers on Anthony Creek.

After 3.5 miles, we turned right on Bote Mountain and followed it to the AT.  Bote Mountain was a rocky and steep as ever.  At the AT intersection (1.7 miles), the breeze was blowing a bit allowing me to cool off a bit.  Turning left on the AT, the trip out to Rocky Top is about 1.2 miles.  It was tougher than I remembered.

 Up on Rocky Top, the views were great.

 After lunch and a bit of a rest, we returned via the same route.  I spotted a few more flowers on the way down.

 A small side trail led over to a few rapids.