Gabes Mnt/Snake Den Rdg/Maddron Bald

Hike Name: Gabes Mnt/Snake Den Rdg/Maddron Bald Location: east TN Length: 20+ Submitted by: R Futch Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
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Description
We started this hike from behind the Yogi Bear Park on hwy 321/73. After hiking the trail I would recommend starting from Cosby campground.

From the Yogi Bear Park to top-out on the Snake Den Ridge trail this hike is uphill ALL THE WAY! Make sure you're in pretty good shape if you do it this way. It is brutal. Starting from Cosby would give you two nights at really good backcountry campsites and less uphill climbing.

Now, about the trail. It is said that this is one of the best hikes the Smokys has to offer. My only beef with that is that there isn't any hiking above treeline on this trail. Therefore you aren't going to see any grand vistas unless you go off the trail for a couple of overlooks. If you like waterfalls then I can't imagine there being another trail with more of them on it. WOW! Every turn of the trail brings another stream and another waterfall. It truly is a wonderful trail that brings you within a short side hike to the AT where you could probably get some good vistas. The two campsites located on the trail are spectacular. Some of the best backcountry camping that I've ever seen with good water supply and beautiful scenery. All in all a really wonderful trail that I will definitely do again some day.

This is a rocky trail (not big boulders but just lots of softball/baseball sized rocks in the trail bed) but I suppose that most trails in the Smoky's are. I would recommend some good shoes/boots with some good insoles. I thought I had the perfect setup but my feet did get sore.

Directions to Hike
Interstate 40 to exit 443 to hwy 321/73. I'm sure there must be signs to get to Cosby campground....it's really big.

Contact Information
Great Smoky Mountains Nat Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
phone: (865) 436-1200

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