Meigs Creek to Curry Mountain Loop
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
May 2, 2026
Blog:
I started this hike off at the Sinks parking lot. The Sinks is a man-made waterfall that was created when loggers from the Little River Lumber Co. used dynamited to release a logjam. This powerful water feature, while not tall, has had its share of drowning deaths due to a strong undertow. There is a nice viewing area just a few steps away from the parking lot.
 |
1. Meigs Creek Trail | ............ | 3.5 Miles |
| 2. Meigs Mountain Trail | ............ | 1.9 Miles | |
| 3. Curry Mountain Trail | ............ | 3.3 Miles | |
| AllTrails: Hike Recording | Profile | |||
 |
| - Elevation Profile of the Hike - |
As I started the main climb up, even though we were in a significant drought, the trees, grasses, and shrubs all felt vibrantly green. It was a cool May morning, and the mountain air was exactly what I needed. At about 1.8 miles there will be a short side trail to the Meigs Creek Cascades and a beautiful little waterfall that splits in two spots before it makes its drop.
 |
| - One of the Many Creek Crossing Along Meigs Creek - |
 |
| - The Meigs Creek Cascades - |
Once I reached Buckhorn Gap and the trail junctions took a little break and had a snack. Buckhorn Gap and this section of the Meigs Mountain trail was once a community of loggers and homesteaders. There was a school, cemetery, and several houses. You can still see the rock foundations scattered throughout the trail. The trail junction has three trails that meet up here; Meigs Creek, Meigs Mountain, and Lumberjack Ridge. I would be taking Meigs Mountain for 1.9 miles hiking towards Elkmont to where it meets The Curry Mountain Trail.
About a mile and half in you will run into Backcountry Campsite #19 Upper Henderson which is closed as of this writing because the bear cables are broken. Then in about another quarter mile, you will run into the Meigs Mountain Cemetery. The Meigs Mountain Cemetery is sometimes referred to as the Huskey Family Cemetery as the prominent headstone in the cemetery is for Polly Huskey, but there are several different families buried here. You have the Huskey family, Henderson family, and the Turner family just to name the most common. The Interment.Net, an online cemetery survey, lists 22 grave sites located at this cemetery. Other sources have 18-20, as many of the headstone’s markings have weathered off.
 |
| - The Polly Huskey Headstone in Meigs Mountain Cemetery - |
Around a quarter of a mile past the cemetery, you reach the junction with the Curry Mountain Trail. Curry Mountain is a 3.3-mile trail that will take you back to Little River Road just on the other side of the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. While heading to the road this trail is mostly downhill there is still a little up hill hiking now and again. The trail passes around two 3000 ft. mountains known as Curry He and Curry She.
Today with the sun out this trail was bright green with crystal clear blue skies. There are few nice spots where you can see other mountains through the trees, but the wildflowers are really the star of this trail. On my was down I spotted to deer with one smack dab right in the middle of the trail, and then close to the end and two-three year old black bear.
 |
| - Some of the Wildflowers along the Curry Mountain Trail - |
This is a great little day hike, and it would help if you had two cars to park at the sinks and Metcalf Bottoms as I am not too sure about hiking back on Little River Road. Until next time my friends, hike on and stay safe out there!
Story Links:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- PDF Trail Map
- AllTrails: Hike Recording | Profile
- Instagram: Hike Reel | Profile
- YouTube Channel
Story Pictures:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment