Photo by Michael Hodge -- The trailhead to the Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
By Guest Blogger Jayna Beutler, lifelong Smokies enthusiast
There are 70+ trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have hiked a good majority of these trails. However, we find that we keep coming back to 2-3 of them when we bring someone new to the park. Our very favorite trail is the Chimney Tops. This trail is 4 miles long and is rated a “moderate” hike — for definitions on the ratings, go here.
It is a very popular trail, I suppose, because it is a “lot of trail” (and a great workout) for a relatively short period of time. Any time of year it is gorgeous. I am a flower enthusiast so the spring season holds a warm place in my heart! Tiny little white and pink spring beauties, heavy laden rhododendron, flaming azaleas (for more on the azaleas, click here), little jack in the pulpits, and quirkey little dutchman’s breeches all show off their dark green blades and bright happy faces!
I hike slower than the rest of the family, as they have a “goal” to reach the top of the mountain as quickly as possible. My goal is to “see.” I want to “see” it all: the wildlife, the flowers, the people (who pass me with great strides and a great big walking stick). Yes, spring is my favorite time to hike!
But wait, there is the fall season! There is nothing more glorious to “see”: just before the death of the flowers and everything is buried in snow, there comes a festival season when nature glows in shades or orange and red and gold.
Or perhaps if I were totally honest with you, I would say that summertime draws me to the Chimney Tops trail. For in the summer, we take most delight in the mountain stream here. As soon as you walk down the first incline, you come upon a thunderous mountain stream. It is powerful, rushing, cold, daunting and ROCKY! Not just little stones. I’m talking about ROCKS! Great big, boulders! Any “first-timer” gets a thrill hopping from boulder to boulder, getting their feet soaking wet in the freezing cold water, yet feeling the warm rays of sunshine that break through the heavily wooded path.
Last Christmas, we went back to the Chimney Tops after the snow had fallen and left 5-6 inches overnight. I had never been on this trail in the winter, and I don’t suppose I would have “hiked it” in my tennis shoes that day, but the rushing mountain stream was incredible. Ice crystals were heavy creating a slush drudging the typical rushing waters to a watery snow cone. I stood on the bridge in awe as the sequined trees darted glitter over the icy fairyland.
When I think of trails in the Smokies, no matter what season or memory that comes to
mind … I think of the Chimney Tops!
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