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Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 50 Must-Do Hikes for Everyone
Johnny Molloy , who has spent more than 800 nights backpacking in the Smokies, has updated his classic guide Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This revised edition has been completely updated, including the new backcountry reservation system implemented in the park.
He has also added some excellent hikes, some of them well off the beaten path. For example, the hike to Baskins Creek Falls takes you past a pioneer homesite and to a scenic cascade overshadowed by more popular waterfalls nearby, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds. A longer trek traverses the regal pine-oak forests of the western part of the park, making a stop at Abrams Falls, mixing solitude with a must-visit waterfall on every Smokies bucket list.
Johnny also explores early park history on a hike up Kephart Prong. Here, you can see the remains of a fish hatchery constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as a trail shelter erected by the CCC when the park was just coming to be.
Backpackers will enjoy the new loop incorporating Walnut Bottoms along cascading Big Creek, coupled with a stop by historic Mount Cammerer tower, replete with stellar views, before overnighting at Davenport Shelter on the Appalachian Trail.
Additionally, Johnny--who considers the Smokies his home stomping ground--makes sure that all the necessary information to help you execute a hike from directions to maps are correct. New photos add flair to the book.
He has also added some excellent hikes, some of them well off the beaten path. For example, the hike to Baskins Creek Falls takes you past a pioneer homesite and to a scenic cascade overshadowed by more popular waterfalls nearby, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds. A longer trek traverses the regal pine-oak forests of the western part of the park, making a stop at Abrams Falls, mixing solitude with a must-visit waterfall on every Smokies bucket list.
Johnny also explores early park history on a hike up Kephart Prong. Here, you can see the remains of a fish hatchery constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as a trail shelter erected by the CCC when the park was just coming to be.
Backpackers will enjoy the new loop incorporating Walnut Bottoms along cascading Big Creek, coupled with a stop by historic Mount Cammerer tower, replete with stellar views, before overnighting at Davenport Shelter on the Appalachian Trail.
Additionally, Johnny--who considers the Smokies his home stomping ground--makes sure that all the necessary information to help you execute a hike from directions to maps are correct. New photos add flair to the book.
- GenresTravelNonfiction
550 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2017
26 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Johnny Molloy
183 books9 followersJohnny Molloy is a self-employed outdoor writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. A Christian -- member of First Presbyterian Church, native Tennessean and free-market capitalist, he was born in Memphis and moved to Knoxville in 1980 to attend the University of Tennessee. It is here in Knoxville, where he developed his love of the natural world that has since become the primary focus of his life.
It all started on a backpacking foray into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That first trip, though a disaster, unleashed an innate love of the outdoors that has led to his spending over 100 nights in the wild per year, over the past 20 years, backpacking and canoe camping throughout our country and abroad. Specifically, he has spent over 650 nights in the Smokies alone, where he cultivated his woodsmanship and expertise on those lofty mountains.
In 1987, after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Economics, he continued to spend an ever increasing time in the natural places, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories, one even suggested he write a book. Soon he was parlaying his love of the outdoors into an occupation.
The results of his efforts are 44 books.
It all started on a backpacking foray into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That first trip, though a disaster, unleashed an innate love of the outdoors that has led to his spending over 100 nights in the wild per year, over the past 20 years, backpacking and canoe camping throughout our country and abroad. Specifically, he has spent over 650 nights in the Smokies alone, where he cultivated his woodsmanship and expertise on those lofty mountains.
In 1987, after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Economics, he continued to spend an ever increasing time in the natural places, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories, one even suggested he write a book. Soon he was parlaying his love of the outdoors into an occupation.
The results of his efforts are 44 books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 23, 2021
We took this book on our first adventure to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Trail Features Table proved to be an invaluable resource in planning which trails best suited our experience and fitness levels.
Our favorite trail, number 10 in this book: Buckthorn Gap via Meigs Creek, started after we had viewed and enjoyed the Sinks on the Little River. We followed the Meigs Creek Trail, which goes uphill for quite a while (0.9 miles) before you go over the ridge. We wondered, as did others who asked us when we were on our way back, whether the reward was going to be worth it! We had completed a 15-mile hike the day before and were quite sore! The answer is, "Yes!"
We crossed six unbridged streams via stepping stones to reach the cascading Meigs Creek Falls, which was an adventure in itself and tested our balancing abilities. I plunged my foot into ankle-deep water at least once. Along the way, we heard birdsong and the running water of Meigs Creek from time to time, as we wove our way through the woods. It was lovely. I found hiking next to a running stream very soothing and enjoyable.
Our favorite trail, number 10 in this book: Buckthorn Gap via Meigs Creek, started after we had viewed and enjoyed the Sinks on the Little River. We followed the Meigs Creek Trail, which goes uphill for quite a while (0.9 miles) before you go over the ridge. We wondered, as did others who asked us when we were on our way back, whether the reward was going to be worth it! We had completed a 15-mile hike the day before and were quite sore! The answer is, "Yes!"
We crossed six unbridged streams via stepping stones to reach the cascading Meigs Creek Falls, which was an adventure in itself and tested our balancing abilities. I plunged my foot into ankle-deep water at least once. Along the way, we heard birdsong and the running water of Meigs Creek from time to time, as we wove our way through the woods. It was lovely. I found hiking next to a running stream very soothing and enjoyable.
May 3, 2021
We discovered the book to have some errors. for example, the trail to Andrews Bald was listed as 150' of elevation change. In fact it was ~900.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews