To access the Little Cataloochee trailhead, turn west onto Cove Creek Road from US 276 near its intersection with Interstate 40 (exit 20). After about five miles, the pavement ends and the gravel road begins. Another ¾ mile will lead to Cove Creek Gap and the park entrance. From here, descend about two miles to a four-way intersection. To the left is a paved road leading to an overlook and Cataloochee. To the right is a gated gravel road. Directly ahead is the gravel Cataloochee Turnpike. Proceed down the turnpike another two miles to an intersection with another gravel road that leads to Cataloochee. Keep right at this intersection and drive another 3½ miles to the gated trail head on the left. This should be a total of about 13¼ miles from the intersection of US 276. Very limited parallel parking is available along the road near the trail head.
The trail is actually a gated single-lane gravel road. Little Cataloochee Baptist Church is two miles from the trail head, although the trail continues to intersect with other trails in the park. We visited Little Cataloochee Baptist Church in March 2014.
Mount Sterling Ridge on the horizon |
View into Cataloochee from the overlook |
Single-land bridge over Cataloochee Creek |
Cataloochee Creek |
Roadside trail sign |
Trail head |
Parking limits the road to one lane with limited sight distance |
Trail |
The trail is wide and mostly smooth allowing hikers to enjoy the views without watching every step |
Correll Branch |
Bridge over Correll Branch |
Part of the trail is muddy during the rainy season |
Typical section of the trail |
Stay straight or left at the intersection with the Long Bunk Trail |
The trail intersection marks the half-way point to the church |
Hannah cabin from the road |
As the road descends into the Little Cataloochee valley, the gravel gives way to dirt |
Bridge over Little Cataloochee Creek in Ola |
Little Cataloochee Creek |
Remains of a cabin foundation in Ola |
First glimpse of the church through the trees |
Side view of the church from the road trail |
Final resting place of many of the early settlers of Cataloochee |
Little Cataloochee Baptist Church was the only church in the valley |
Interior of the church |
Forged by the Fair Foundry Company of Knoxville, Tennessee |
Admission to the park is free.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
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