Ranger led guided hike

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering a guided hike this fall on the Deep Creek Trail near Bryson City, N.C. The hike is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, October 1, and starts near the Park’s Deep Creek Campground. The 4.4-mile roundtrip hike on the Deep Creek Trail is rated easy to moderate and passes through areas that were farmed in the days before the creation of the Park. According to the book, Hiking Trails of the Smokies, the Deep Creek Trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s and was one of the first trails constructed in the new national park. Although some commercial logging took place in the Deep Creek area, the upper elevations of the watershed still contain some old growth forest. The ranger leading the hike will have historic photos and maps of the area to share with participants. The hike also passes two of the area’s waterfalls, Toms Branch and Indian Creek Falls. Participants should meet the ranger at the parking area at the Deep Creek trailhead at the end of Deep Creek Road. They should wear hiking shoes or boots, bring drinking water, and may also want to pack a lunch to eat once the group reaches the turn-around point. Because weather in the Smoky Mountains can be unpredictable, a rain jacket is also recommended. The guided portion of the hike will end after 2.2 miles so participants have the option of further exploring the area on their own and returning to the parking area at their own pace. The Deep Creek area of the national park is located 3 miles north of Bryson City which is accessible from U.S. Highways 19 or 74. From downtown Bryson City, follow the brown signs for Deep Creek Campground. For more information call the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at (828) 497-1904. National park information is also available from the Park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm.