Sunday, April 3, 2005
I hiked half the trail with a friend back in March. We started from the Unicoi park end, and hiked about 2 miles in, until the path left the creek and started to ascend more steeply (we did not have another car to park by Anna Ruby, and weren't in shape for a 9 mile round trip hike). At least this part of the trail, which parrallels a small stream nearly the whole way, was beautiful, and not that hard (but definitely a hike, not a walk). A couple places are very narrow, but not dangerous; there were several bridges, and the only slightly tricky part was where the trail crosses a mountain biking trail and the marker was twisted so we weren't sure which direction was ours. The forest changed a lot as we hiked in and up, it was great to hike through, and didn't seem repetative hiking the same way back out.
Sunday, November 7, 2004
We hiked the trail one way from Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park yesterday. We had two cars and parked one at each end. The hike was great, not too difficult. Do watch out for a broken tree about 10-15 minutes in to the trail. It is a little tricky to get around. A walking stick will be helpful here. It is probably left there from one of the hurricanes and hopefully will be cleared soon.
Sunday, November 7, 2004
My wife and I ran this from Unicoi up to ARF late this afternoon. We miscalculated the time (our mistake) and ended up running back down the main park road in the dark. We enjoyed SCT- good mix of technical terrain, switchbacks, stream crossings, and nice views. We would rate coming down as easy and going up as moderate. This, as well as the shorter Lake Trail is highly recommended. Watch out for twisted ankles and big, furry creatures. Be safe!
Saturday, November 6, 2004
I'm surprised at the number of reviews here that are negative towards this trail. It is not a difficult hike, it's rating of moderate is fair. As a hiker, you should know how long 4.6 miles is, and if you've only hiked 2.3 miles and think you've gone 4.6, you need to get some more experience. The trail is well marked, easy to follow with very few exceptions, and the bridges and stairs put in by the USFS are as good as can be expected. How the gentleman who was fined missed the giant sign at the Anna Ruby trailhead about being aware of closing times and ensuring you have plenty of time to get back I can't imagine. Perhaps it wasn't there when he hiked it. When I hiked it (6-Nov-04) there were a lot of downed trees on the trail. A volunteer trail crew could clean this up in a couple of hikes, something I may consider trying to start. Overall, a good, moderate hike, and if hiked from Unicoi S.P. it has a wonderful payoff with Anna Ruby Falls.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
This was a great trail to hike, initially, but then it seemed to keep going and going and going. Well, thats what we thought b/c it seemed to take us forever to hike the 4.9 miles from Anna Ruby Falls. When we thought we were almost done, we were only halfway done, and feel like this could be corrected by adding a few wayward points to give hikers an idea of where they are at. And maybe a better explaination of the trail and the trailhead. The trail does tend to narrow a lot in some areas (which makes the trail harder), especially near the falls. Also a word of caution, don't stay out too late because you will be fined (they will get YOU) for "getting lost" and taking "too much" time.
Friday, May 7, 2004
Hiked it April 8. It was OK. It was tiring but not too bad. Everyone thought we were almost done when we got to the top of the mountain...f*** no!!! we still had 3 more miles! the trails are narrow at some points and many trees are lying in the path...you have to crawl under them. we got lost because some of the markers are not clearly marked. i fell and got cut, which wasn't fun. but overall it wasn't too bad.
Monday, August 5, 2002
We hiked about 25% of the trail yesterday. We set out through the falls, and as we wound our way down to the creek, we heard a rustling in the woods. My dog and wife froze. It was a black bear! It saw us and quietly scurried off. Whew.
Monday, February 4, 2002
I walked the SCT Friday, February 1, 2002 about mid-day and it was beautiful. I started from the Unicoi side traveling to Anna Ruby Falls. The winter hike makes for great views when cresting the highest point on the hike. The hike begins with a forest walk with a steady climb to crest and then a more mountain climbing experience going down to Anna Ruby Falls. If you like quick changing scenery you will enjoy this hike. My hike time was about 2:20:00 and somewhat less returning from Anna Ruby back to Unicoi.
Friday, January 18, 2002
We hiked Smith Creek trail with our pack dogs on a Working Pack Dog hike. We did the trail completely and then back (9.8 miles) the elevation climbed 970 feet each way. We started at Anna Ruby and we all felt the hike back from Unicoi to Anna Ruby was much less difficult than the hike there. This hike was too difficult for dogs carrying packs do to the numerous large fallen trees across the trail. The trail was also very narrow, a problem for a dog with a pack making him much wider. It was a challenge and a trail that offered different terrains and different obstacles that would have been enjoyed more had we known what to expect.
Tuesday, July 17, 2001
We hiked this trail from Unicoi State park over to Anna Ruby Falls July 7, 2001. It was quiet and inviting. Only people traffic seen was when we approached Ruby Falls. We were cautioned by Ranger to keep an eye out for bears. None see (thankfully).
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Hiked round trip 5/4/01. Trail generally in good condition. Bad timber stairway 1/2 hr. S of falls requires extra attention (and repair). All in all, a very pleasant hike. NFS time is unrealistic. I am 60, have a bad knee, was nearly killed by malaria a year ago, must use a walking stick, and made the round trip in 4.5 hrs., against the NFS time of 6 hrs.
Thursday, April 6, 2000
The Smith Creek Trail is an interesting hike through the Appalachain foothills. The foliage is prominent throughout the hike as it meanders along ledges and crosses over many fallen trees and creeks. The descent down from the peak of the trail is very enjoybale and leaves a great impression of the area.
Sunday, June 27, 1999
Very beautiful trail. Many switchbacks that make the uphills easy. Trail marker sign shows a 5 mile one way to the falls. Well worth it as they are beautiful. Hiked the .4 miles from falls to gift shop and then 2.4 miles to lake and did lake trail then across dam and back up road to parking area. In all about 8 to 9 miles.
Trail Length:4.6 miles
Location: White County
Features:falls, stream.
Last hiked:07/04/1998 | Type of trail:Point-to-point
Our rating:Moderate
Your rating:Moderate (44)
Date added:01/01/1995
Trail Usage:
About these ratings |
Hikers looking for a great vacation rental centrally located? Georgia Trails recommends Whispering Winds Lodge and Vacation Rentals
Front page
Maps and directions
Rate a trail
Add a trail report
View Trail Reports
Create a link to this page
All material copyrighted unless otherwise noted
Copyright 1996-2007 Golden Ink
