4 Visiting The Smokies Spring 2021
Take a hike! The Grapeyard Ridge Trail offers historical landmarks, a train wreck
You do not have to be an expert to enjoy some of the 800 miles of hiking trails that run throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) – the park offers several easy trails for visitors who want to enjoy their visit in a different way – away from the hustle and bustle of the abundant touristy things the surrounding area offers. Many of the trails offer panoramic views, old growth forest, historical landmarks and cemeteries, and a perfect way to take in the beautiful fall foliage that the Smokies are known for. One of the less visited areas of the park, Greenbrier maintains a true wilderness feel and harbors some of the oldest forest in the park. It lies just six miles outside of Gatlinburg via Highway 321 North, 12 miles from Cosby via Highway 321 South, in the Pittman Center Community. Once you turn onto the one-lane road, this unique part of GSMNP showcases the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River with plenty of pull-offs and parking lots for visitors to take in the beauty – or take a dip in the pristine mountain water, if it’s warm enough! One of the less advertised, but popular trails in Greenbrier is the Grapeyard Ridge Trail that spans 7.6 miles from Greenbrier Road to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There is a small parking area on the left at the junction of Greenbrier Road and the road to the Ramsey Cascades Trail. From 1933 to 1936, just south of the Grapeyard Ridge Trail at Porters Creek was the Greenbrier Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. The CCC men built this trail, and you can see some of their handiwork in a rock wall on the right, at the beginning of the trail. This trail gently climbs for about a quarter mile then passes over a small bridge to the Rhododendron Creek Valley. Small roadbeds intersect with the main trail and may throw you off. Take caution and stay straight. Trees along the Rhododendron Creek area are relatively small compared to others throughout the park because this area was heavily populated with small farms and cultivated cornfields.
Trail head of Grapeyard Ridge Trail. PHOTO BY:<a href=“https://smokymountains.com/ park/hikes/grapeyard-ridge-trail/” > SmokyMountains. com&nbsp;</a>
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