Forney Creek to Bear Creek to Welch Ridge

Hike Name: Forney Creek to Bear Creek to Welch Ridge Location: southwest NC Length: 32 Submitted by: Ryan Camire Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more North Carolina trail reviews North Carolina national parks North Carolina state parks
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Description
This is a BIG loop in the backcountry of the Smokies. It starts at Clingmans dome and takes you down into the mountains about 4000 ft (Forney Creek trail) with a lot of campsites a long the way (about 11 miles). Then you take Bear creek down a little further and then it starts to get rough and the elevation begins. When I say rough, i don't mean rugged, I mean the vegetation is so grown in, you can almost miss the trail if you aren't paying attention. It's fun if you don't want to take the beaten path. It\'s not just vegetation, it's thorn bushes (berries) and they are grown over your head! Bear Creak trail is about 11 miles long then it turns into Welch Ridge, and the vegetation just continues to be a bother for about 4 more miles. There are a few breaks in between and campsites a long the way so you can take a break. We stayed at Silers Bald which is a shelter and it was pretty busy. then we hiked out on the appalachian trail to Clingmans dome (6 miles). I really enjoyed this hike, but I'm not average - my wife hated it! We loved the Forney creek and the appalacian, but Welch Ridge and Bear Creak were not all that fun. There are streams all along the way and the views are nice on a clear day.

Directions to Hike
Go to Clingmans Dome in the Smoky Mountains.

Contact Information
Great Smoky Mt Park
Visitor Services
107 Park Headquarters Rd
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(423) 436-1200

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