The Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains
Your guide from the Hemlock Inn, Bryson City

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Great Hikes in the Great Smokies
Also see Hiking in Deep Creek
Here are a couple of trails that combine a nice drive with a nice hike and are not a great distance from Hemlock Inn.

Noland Creek Trail
At the bottom of the Hemlock Inn driveway, turn right onto Galbraith Creek Road and Right again on Hwy. 19. When you reach Bryson City, turn right at the first traffic light, onto Everett Street. As the road leaves the business district, it becomes Lakeshore Road (also known as The Road to Nowhere or The Dead-End Road), which takes you past the High School. If you set your odometer to 0 at the end of the business district, when you reach 7.1 you should be at the high curved bridge over Noland Creek (the only bridge on the road). The road goes about a mile further to its barricaded end, but you should stop and park in the parking area on your left at the bridge.

Look over the bridge and you will see a jeep trail below along the creek. Walk to the end of the parking area away from the creek and go down the paved access road used by rangers to patrol trail and fish camps. As you go down look for Ground Cedar or Club Moss on your left, Bleeding Hearts, Fire Pinks, and at the bottom, a White Walnut on your right. If you are hiking in April, be sure to go to the bridge on your left and see the Paw Paw bush.

At the foot of the hill, the blacktop reaches a good gravel road which goes up and down the creek. (It was the right of way for a logging railroad. Note the heavy bridge foundations.) If you go downstream you will reach Lake Fontana in about one mile. The trail goes up stream about 15 miles to Clingmans Dome Road .

As you go upstream you will find lots of Pink Lady’s Slippers, Showy Orchids, Dwarf Iris, and Indian Pinks in the Spring. In October, look across Noland Creek and you will see a big bunch of Witch Hazel. As you go under the bridge, don’t fail to look up. It is beautiful from this angle. After you walk under the bridge, look to your right and you will see a large Striped Maple. As you walk along the creek, look for homesites indicated by rock walls and chimneys, as well as roses, iris, vinca minor, black walnut trees, and large flat areas taken over by yellow poplar trees.

Continue on the road as long as you wish, then return. When you start back up the hill to your car take it easy. This hill is steep.

Kephart Prong
This trail follows the Kephart Prong of Oconaluftee Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Highway 441 to the shelter and back--2 miles one way, 4 miles round-trip. Take a lunch to eat beside the stream or at the shelter.

At the bottom of the Hemlock Inn driveway, turn right onto Galbraith Creek Road and go to Highway 19 and turn left to Cherokee. Turn left at the second traffic light, following 441 North out of Cherokee into the Park. As you pass the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, set your trip odometer to 0. When it reads 6.9, you should be at the start of the trail on your right. There is paved parking alongside the highway and a bridge at an angle over the stream.

The stream is one of the most beautiful in the mountains, with many cascades. You will cross it several times on log walkways with hand rails. At the beginning, you will go through one of the old CCC camp areas, and then have your first crossing. You will see old rails from the early logging days. The log crossing will be up or down a little from the ford.

Backpack and Lunch
The Inn will prepare a box lunch for you if you will make your request in the office before 11:00 p.m. the night before. There are also a few back packs you are welcome to borrow from the office.

 

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Hemlock Inn
Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
P.O. Box 2350, Galbraith Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713
phone: 828-488-2885 / fax: 828-488-8985
Reservations taken from 7:30 AM until 11:00 PM EST
e-mail: hemlock@dnet.net

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