Wednesday – Hiking/Rafting – Hartford, TN

Note: You must sign up and pay rafting cost of $30.00 per person (cash or check) for the Raft Trip NLT August 30th. We will first hike the Big Creek section of the Great Smokey Mountains. Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade used to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom at the start of the 20th century. The 4-mile round trip hike to the waterfall is considered moderate in difficulty. At 1.4 miles the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep, picturesque pool below a 6′ falls. At 2.1 miles a short side trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and view Mouse Creek Falls, which is on the far side of Big Creek. The falls are 45′ in height. To get to the Big Creek Trailhead take I-40 Exit #451 turn left on Waterville Road aft er crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection. Continue straight (the road is now Big Creek Entrance Rd) past the ranger station, to a large parking area at the road’s end. Our Big Creek Expeditions raft time is ET. Big Creek Expeditions is at 3671 Hartford Rd. Raft ers must have shoes that will stay on…tennis shoes, water shoes, chacos, etc…no flip flops. There are showers if people want to shower when they get off the river so pack extra clothes. Depart from Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:15am CT. Carpool cost is $11. Option of eating dinner on the way home. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, water, snacks and lunch for the hike. Contact the hike coordinator plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.