Cumberland Trail Rock Creek Loop

Hike Name: Cumberland Trail Rock Creek Loop Location: southeast TN Length: 3.4 Submitted by: Barry Spearman Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
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Description
This recently built portion of the Cumberland Trail is located about 25 miles north of Chattanooga, TN just off Hwy 27.

The scenic loop descends into Rock Creek Gorge and affords a number of scenic overlooks and waterfalls. Wildflowers are especially beautiful on this trail in the spring and early summer.

From the Upper Leggett Rd. Trailhead (3.4 miles roundtrip):
A short 0.1 mile hike takes you from the trailhead to the loop junction. Continue straight (left) to reach the side trail to Leggett Point Overlook in 0.2 miles and the Rock Creek Connector Trail in 1.4 miles. Go right to reach the Boiling Springs Natural Bridge and access to the Upper Rock Creek Gorge Trail in 0.4 miles, Rock Creek Connector Trail in 1.9 miles. The hike to the Leggett Point Overlook is a short 0.2 miles on an old logging road lined with rhododendron …worth the trip. If your intentions are to hike the Upper Rock Creek Gorge trail…then go left.

From the Lower Leggett Rd. Trailhead (4.5 miles roundtrip):
Hike the Rock Creek Connector Trail, as described below, until you reach the loop junction. Signs here direct you either to the left or right. Either way the loop offers a variety of challenges, spiral staircases, laurel & rhododendron, overlooks, bridges, and high bluff lines. Go right to reach the side trail to Leggett Point Overlook in 1.4 miles and the Upper Leggett Rd. Trailhead in 1.5 miles. Go left to reach the Boiling Springs Natural Bridge and access to the Upper Rock Creek Gorge Trail in 1.5 miles, Upper Leggett Rd. Trailhead in 2.0 miles, and the side trail to the Leggett Point Overlook in 2.1 miles. The hike to the Leggett Point Overlook is a short 0.2 miles on an old logging road lined with rhododendron …worth the trip. If your intentions are to hike the Upper Rock Creek Gorge trail…then go left.

The Rock Creek Connector Trail (1.2 miles):

This 1.2 mile trail provides the link from the Lower Leggett Trailhead (not yet built but plenty of parking is currently available along the road) to the Rock Creek Loop and Upper Rock Creek sections of the Cumberland Trail. Find the trail where Leggett Rd. turns and begins ascending the mountain…look for the blazing. Here you will follow an old road into the gorge for approximately 0.2 miles to where the trail leaves the road up a small embankment on your right. To view or play in Rock Creek, continue on the road for another couple hundred of feet. Now retrace your steps and begin the one-mile hike along the Connector Trail to the Rock Creek Loop…offering views of the river and bluffs above.

Directions to Hike
Lower Leggett Rd. Trailhead (not yet built): From Chattanooga take U.S. Hwy 27 north to the Sale Creek community and Leggett Rd, turn left. Follow Leggett Rd. 1.4 miles to the signed Rock Creek Segment, Cumberland Trail State Park, and the Lower Rock Creek Trailhead on your left. This future parking facility is not yet built, but for now numerous pull-offs are available.

Upper Leggett Rd. Trailhead: Continue through the curve on Leggett Rd. and climb the escarpment for 2.1 miles to a lightly graveled parking area on your left. The trailhead is only 50 ft. back down the road…look for the blazing.

Contact Information
For a map and more information see:

http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/rock.html

email:
cumberlandtrail@rocketmail.com

Phone:
(931) 456-6259

Write or visit the Cumberland Trail Conference office just across the street from the courthouse at:

Cumberland Trail Conference
19 East 4th St.
Crossville, TN 38555

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