Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Curry Mountain, Meigs Creek Loop

I got a late start hiking today, due to Noelle and Sierra making me a Father's Day breakfast. It was rainbow waffles and bacon. After my delicious meal and a little bit of playing with Sierra I hit the road. it was about 10 am when I left Greeneville. I arrived at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area at 11:45 to start my hike on the Curry Mountain Trail.

The roadside and trailhead area were loaded with day lilies.

The trail started a climb through tunnels of blooming rhododendron.

I watched as an interesting looking insect flew around, and then promptly got caught in a spider web.

I saw some other insects: butterflies

and found a nice looking turkey feather.

After a little more than an hour on the trail I turned onto a section of the Meigs Mountain Trail which I had hiked back in March. I revisited the cemetery I had stopped at 3 months ago,

and then continued on my way on the trail, which was loaded with grape vines.

Soon I found myself at another trail junction. Here I made a right and started a descent on the Meigs Creek Trail. A few wildflowers lined the path,

but mostly the upper section of the trail was lined with ferns.

As I continued the descent I crossed Meigs Creek several times. I found a very large beech tree

and the interesting Meigs Creek Cascades.

Shortly after the cascades the trail began an ascent. I climbed to a dry and somewhat open section of trail and noticed a few fence lizards scurrying across the trail.

Eventually the trail began to descend again. Before I knew it I could hear the sound of auto and motorcycle traffic and rushing water. I was approaching the infamous Sinks swimming hole. There were lots of swimmers taking advantage of the cool water on this hot day.

Some of the people were jumping off of rocks.

I wanted to cool off, but the scene at the Sinks was just not me. I headed over to the road and noticed a faint path leading down to the river on the other side of the auto bridge. I made my way down to the river at a series of small cascades

and had the place all to myself. I soaked my feet in the water

and then submerged my entire body to cool myself off for the 2 mile road walk back to the car.