July 6, 2023
The Brushy Mountain Trail in the Smoky Mountains is a 5.9-mile out-and-back trail that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Starting from the Brushy Mountain Trailhead, I made my way through the lush forests and rolling hills, albeit with little black gnats attacking my ears and eyes. The trail was well-marked, and the scenery was spectacular. Of all the routes up to LeConte, this is perhaps my favorite.
On this hot, clear day, I could see the layers of mountains in the distance, and the blue sky above me added to the beauty of the landscape. As I continued ahead, the trail started to get steeper, and I was surprised that there were several creek crossings, as the map had not noted this. The trail then continued to wind along the ridgeline, offering more scenic views. I passed by several different plant and animal species, including trillium, balm, and several varieties of purple violets. After hiking for several hours, I arrived at Trillium Gap. From there, it is an easy .4 mile hike up to the actual Brushy Mountain, where I was rewarded with an even more breathtaking view. I could see the vast expanse of the mountain range and the deep valleys below, while LeConte remained shrouded in clouds.
The way down was not as challenging as the way up, and I enjoyed the scenery in a different light. I met a father and son duo who were also hiking all the trails in the Smokies. We talked at length, as they were both kind. I had seen that rain was in the forecast the day before, but didn’t know how much this area received. They said the creeks that I was surprised by were waist deep yesterday. Keep in mind, they were ankle deep when I crossed them. Apparently, a woman the day before who was trying to set the speed record for hiking all the trails to LeConte had been forced to wade through.
Overall, hiking the Brushy Mountain Trail in the Smoky Mountains was an incredible experience. The beauty of the scenery, the sense of accomplishment after reaching the summit, and the feeling of escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life made it all worthwhile.
Total mileage is 11.9 miles.
