Honeycreek Loop

Hike Name: Honeycreek Loop Location: north TN Length: 6 Submitted by: Jon P. Sanders Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
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Description
This is my favorite hike I have yet to go on. The Honeycreek Pocket Wilderness is a small area of forest set aside once upon a time by a nearby industry. Since then, the land has become part of Tennesee's Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (NRRA). The Big South Fork in the name refers to the southern fork of the Cumberland River which loops south into north-central Tennessee before heading north to the Kentucky border.
The trail is difficult, to say the least. It loops down into a creek valley and then follows that creek to the river. At that point you rise 1100 feet up the mountain to a gorgeous overlook of one of the horshoe bends in the south fork river. Though you can, and I have, go overnight on this trail (there are some really choice spots -- including an ampitheatre-sized and shaped rockhouse) you should not attempt this unless you are seasoned or this is not your first trip. You will be forced to ford this creek numerous times (at least 14). In dry conditions this is rarely a big deal, but if the water is high you're going to get wet. There is one particular spot where the trail follows the creek bed for a few hundred yards. A sign along the trail simply says "follow creek" and if the season's rainy you'll spend much of this time clinging to muddy bank. Do not attempt this trail at night, either. On a topo map of the region you'll notice that the trail has up to ten switchbacks inside of a single dashed line on the map. This place is immensely intricate. Once you know the trail you'll understand that it crosses back almost on top of itself over and over, but unless your direction sense if SUPERB you won't ever realize this.
Wear your shorts, roll up your sleeves, and prepare for some of the hardes six miles you've ever walked. And, I promise, it's so beautiful you'll never want to leave. A true example of what John Muir meant when he spoke of the "intricate beauty" of the Big South Fork NRRA.

Directions to Hike
Take highway 25 south out of Oneida, TN until you run across a brown highway sign (12-15 mi. outside Oneida) marked "RIVER ACCESS" on the right side of the road. If you can find this first sign, which is tricky, following the remaining like-marked signs to the New River access area is easy. Then go another 4 miles over a gravel road past the New River crossing. Follow signs, once you pass the Big South Fork NRRA sign (blue writing on wood sign) you will soon see a sign that says "Honeycreek Loop" -- 2000 feet and you're there.

Contact Information
Big South Fork
Rte. 3, Box 401
Oneida, TN
37841
615-569-9778

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