I hiked to the Walker Sisters' Cabin in early April 2015. Since the gravel road to Little Greenbrier School was still closed for the winter season, I started the hike from the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. Metcalf Bottoms is located on Little River Road about 7.7 miles from the Townsend Wye and 9.5 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The five spinster Walker Sisters did not sell out and move when the park was created, but were eventually granted a lifetime lease and continued to live on their farm without any of our modern conveniences like running water and electricity. When the last sister died in 1964, the park service gained control of the land.
Starting from Metcalf Bottoms, the hike is 4.2 miles roundtrip and ascends about 440 feet for an average gradient of about 4%. The trailhead is across the Little River from the picnic area where the trail heads up the river on a single-lane gravel road. When the gravel road turns left and heads uphill, you can make a short side-trip upriver to the confluence of Little Brier Branch and the Little River along a footpath. Return along the footpath to the gravel road. The gravel road ends at the water tower for the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. Continue following the single-lane dirt road past the rock wall and stone stairs marking the site of a former homestead. After topping the hill, the trail deteriorates as roots criss-cross the well packed dirt path. The trail drops down to Little Brier Branch and crosses it twice with the second crossing at the rear of the Little Greenbrier School. Since the school also served as a church building, a cemetery is located on the hillside above the school. During the summer, a gravel road from Wear Cove Gap Road is open that cuts 1.2 miles off of the hike. From the schoolhouse, climb up to the gated gravel road above the cemetery and continue hiking uphill. This portion of the trail is another single-lane gravel road. Follow this road until turning right at a sign for the cabin. Follow the old driveway down to and across a small stream before climbing up to the cabin. In addition to the cabin, a springhouse and corn crib have also been preserved.
Topographic map with GPS hiking route |
Trail elevation profile |
Little River from the bridge at Metcalf Bottoms |
Wide gravel trail |
Footpath toward Little Brier Branch |
Little Brier Branch empties into the Little River |
Little Brier Branch |
A small cascade on Little Brier Branch |
The gravel road continues to the water tower |
Rock wall and stairs are all that remain of an old homestead |
The wide trail continues up the hill |
Roots embedded in the trail require constant vigilance to avoid tripping |
The trail is streamside for most of the journey to the schoolhouse |
Another view of Little Brier Branch |
More roots in the trail |
A footbridge crosses a small stream |
Another footbridge crosses Little Brier Branch at the school |
Hillside cemetery |
Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse |
Inside the schoolhouse |
A few glass windows provide light |
The hike continues on the gravel road above the cemetery |
Shelf mushrooms |
Well-maintained trail |
Little Brier Branch is much smaller this far up the cove |
Another footbridge crosses the branch while park vehicles ford it |
Little Brier Branch from the footbridge |
Looking back at the footbridge |
Another cascade on Little Brier Branch |
Wildflowers cover the ground |
Trail junction for the Walker Sisters Cabin |
Gravel driveway leading to the cabin |
First view of the Walker Sisters' farm |
Springhouse |
A small stream flows through the springhouse |
Looking at the cabin from the springhouse |
Corn crib |
The porch foundation needs to be rebuilt |
Overview of the farm |
A dogwood tree blooms beside the cabin |
Another view of the cabin and corn crib |
Fireplace in the main cabin |
A ladder lead to the second floor |
Exposed beams and rafters of the upper room |
Trillium about to bloom |
The trail from Metcalf Bottoms to Little Greenbrier School is labeled the Metcalf Bottoms Trail on park maps. The trail from Little Greenbrier School to the Walker Sisters Cabin and beyond is labeled the Little Brier Gap Trail.
Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
No comments:
Post a Comment