Knoxville/East Tennessee area

[leeki pole]

I'm looking for a good 2-3 night loop backpack trip in the Knoxville vicinity in late March. I'll have my truck and would like to find a trailhead with relatively secure parking. Any loop from 25 miles up to 40 or so would be fine. Any ideas? Thanks!

[jlb2012]

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/543.php is a possibility - Frozen Head SP

[Jaybird]

if you're bound & determined NOT to hike in the SMOKIES...my suggestion would be....


THE BIG SOUTH FORK.



Its great this time of year...& not much traffic.



http://www.nps.gov/biso/


good luck w/ yer hike!

[Krewzer]

You might like the loop over Mt Albert and Standing Indian. It's a nice hike out of Standing Indian Campground. And, it's not too far from Knoxville area.

Krewzer

[Stoker53]

I 2nd the Big South Fork idea. Area is very isolated and there are many trials that could be combined to make a good 2-3 day loop. Parking is very secure, at least from my experience.

[generoll]

Let me join the chorus for Standing Indian. You can park at the backcountry kiosk and then hike up the Kimsey Creek trail to the AT and then hike the loop over Standing Indian and Mt. Albert and then take the connector trail right back to your car. No backtracking and a moderate 3 day 2 night hike. Take a tent because this time of the year the first bulge of thru-hikers will be coming across there for the next few weeks.

[fatmatt]

Standing Indian to Albert Mountain is an awesome section of the trail, I'd go with that.

[papillion]

Big South Fork is great! I just did the Honey Creek Loop this past weekend and was very pleased with the diversity and beauty of the terrain. Ive also done a few hikes in the Twin Arches are of BSF which has some great views and nice little camp sites.. Also look into the Savage Gulf Recreation Area off I-24 north of Chattanooga.. There are several nice trails/loops that you could piece together for a multi night trip there... Have Fun!

[c63]

you could call Walk in the Woods @ 1-865-436-8283 and leave your truck in knoxville and hike from newfound gap to davenport gap and that round trip won't cost you more than about a buck 20, and you don't have alll the hassle

[ArkVol]

Ditto on Honey Creek Loop trail excellant choice

[ArkVol]

ditto on Honey Creek excellant trail