Starr Mountain Loop

Star Mountain Loop
November 23, 2025 / Cherokee National Forest

____________________________________________________________________________________

Blog Entry:

The main reason for this hike was to shake out my new Hyperlight Southwest backpack that I just got. Wanted to get a good hike in with it loaded up to see how it did, and I will give you a rundown of it at the end of this blog post. I also chose this hike because it is an area I have not much explored except for the Gee Creek Hikes I have done. I tried Starr Mountain on the Gee Creek side, but that trail is heavily overgrown, and I could not complete it with Frank.

My Route:

- Click Here To Open AllTrails Route -	(1) #127 Hogback Spur	....................................	1.5
	(2) #126 Hogback Horse	....................................	2.9
	(3) CR 44	....................................	0.9
	(4) #120 Starr Mountain Horse	....................................	3.1
	(5) #123 Yellow Creek	....................................	1.7
	(6) #122 Burkett-Ivin	....................................	0.2
	(7) CR 44	....................................	0.2
	(8) #126 Hogback Horse	....................................	1.1
	(9) #127 Hogback Spur	....................................	1.5

 

My route started off on Forest Trail No. 127 Hogback Spur that is a nice, wide, soft trail with a definite forest feel to it and less of the temperate rain forest you get in the Smoky Mountains and other parts of Cherokee National Forest. It does have a slight uphill grade, but nothing difficult. There are several places where you can pull off to the side and get a beautiful view when the leaves are off the trees.  

- Along Hugback Spur -

At the trail junction with Hogback Horse trail, I took it to the left and as you wind around the trail, it opens at times to give an actual prairie feel with long, tall, wispy grass. Today was a bright sunny day, and without leaves on the trees it amplified the strength of sun. Hogback Horse trail ends at County Road 44 where you follow the road until you arrive at Starr Mountain Horse Trail #120.  

After a short climb you reach the ridge line of Starr Mountain. I am not sure how it is in the summer with leaves on the trees, but at the time when I was hiking it the sun did beat on me and felt intense. There are some spaces along this section of the hike that provide some good views of the surrounding area. Right before you hit the Yellow Creek trail, there is a picnic table that provides a great please fir a break and take in the view.  

- Sitting Along The Ridge of Starr Mt. -

The Yellow Creek junction will be on the right side of the trail and is easily missed, speaking from experience. This trail narrows and takes you back into the forest where you are once again surrounded by trees along with large groupings of rocks in a few different areas. I found this to be a pleasant walk and got a little reprieve from the harsh sun. The trail ends at the Buckett-Ivin Trail #122 and after just under a quarter of a mile you cross a bridge over Yellow Creek and meet up with Country Road 44.  

You are not on Country Road 44 as long this time before linking up to the northern section of Hogback Horse Trail #126 where it widens again. Like most of this loop, the walk through here is very nice and easy going. This section of the trail will transition out of forest to prairie as you hit the junction with Hogback Spur where eventually it transitions back to forest. Hogback Spur is the only section of the loop you will have to hike twice. Of course, the lighting was different my second time around that gave me a whole different effect over one of the mountain views. It lit in such a way that I almost thought I was looking at a painting and not real life.

- Evening View Along Hogback Spur -

I would say this hike was better than expected, but I am sure the sun and the clear blue sky had something to do with it. I would like to see during the summer when leaves are on the trees as I am sure it would cover up some of the fantastic view I had. I might actually take Maggie back to this area and try and do a shorter version of this one. As always my friends hike on, and stay safe out there!

Story Links:

• Cherokee National Forest 
• Hyperlight Southwest Backpack 
• AllTrails  -  Trail Recording  |  Profile
• YouTube Channel 
• Instagram Profile

Story Pictures:

Rainbow Falls & Trillium Gap Loop

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mount Le Conte - September 11, 2025

____________________________________________________________________________________

Blog Entry:

- Area Trail Map -

I chose a very grueling hike to test out what kind of shape I was in, so I planned on taking Bull Head up Mount Le Conte and then Trillium Gap back around. This is probably the longest Mount Le Conte Loop hike, and it would have been over a 20-mile day with over 5,000 ft of elevation gain. I forgot the Bull Head was closed during the week due to trail renovations, so I had to audible and go up Rainbow falls trail. I would still end up with over 18 miles and by the end I was wasted.

I have done this loop a few times, but I usually take Trillium Gap up, and Rainbow falls back down. I Chose to do it this way because one, Bull Head was closed, but two I wanted to the higher elevation gain going up to judge my strength. It also has been a bit easier on my knees lately, doing the slighter grade down.

- Rainbow Falls -

The Rainbow Falls Trail is 6.7 miles to the top of Mount Le Conte. It gets its name from the almost 80-foot waterfall located just 2.8 miles up the trail. This waterfall is the highest single drop waterfall located within the bounds of the Smoky Mountains National Park. From here it is another 3.9 miles up to where the trail ends at the Le Conte Lodge.From there I hiked up to Hight Point, that is the true summit of Mount Le Conte standing at 6,593 ft. After I tagged to the top, I went over to Myrtle Point where I had my brunch, coffee, and did some rehydrating for the push back down the mountain. I also took in some great views as well.  

- At the Summit of Mount Le Conte "High Top" -

To get to the Trillium Gap trailhead I had to back track past High Top where the junction is right before you get back to the Lodge. Trillium Gap is an 8.9-mile trail that has the lowest elevation gain of any of the Le Conte trails, but the lesser elevation is traded for a longer trail. After 3.6 miles you will reach the Brushy Mountain trail junction and from there it is about 1.5 miles to Grotto Falls. Grotto Falls is a 25 ft waterfall and is the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that the trail takes you behind the falls. Once past Grotto Falls it is roughly another two miles of trail that will follow the Roaring Fork Motor Trail road back to the Rainbow Falls trailhead and complete the loop.

A challenging but still one of my favorite hikes in the park. To break it up and give yourself more time you could always spend the night in the shelter on top of Le Conte. You will need to get a permit to do this, and there are no fires allowed there. As always, my friends hike on and stay safe out there.

- The Grotto Falls -

My Route:

- 3D Rendering Of My Route - Links to AllTrails: Route | Profile	Rainbow Falls Trail	....................................	6.7
	Trillium Gap Trail	....................................	8.9
	Total Miles Hiked	....................................	18.94
	Total Elevation Gain	....................................	4,288 ft
	Total Time	....................................	14:08:38

Pictures:

Adventure Links:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park 
• GSMNP PDF Trail Map 
• GSMNP Permit Site for Backcountry
• AllTrails:  My Profile  |  Adventure Recording 
• My YouTube Channel
• My Instagram Profile
• My Website

Related Adventure Links: