Mount Sterling via Baxter Creek

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC Smokies + Southern Blue Ridge Mountains

Trip stats

Distance
12.1 mi
Net Gain
4,200 ft
Time
5-7 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
5.4/10
Personality
5/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
3.3/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Mount Sterling
    5,842′ elevation · 663′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.750870, -83.109150

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

Nov 4, 2016 — The Baxter Creek Trail seems like a lesser-traveled route up to Mt. Sterling, especially because there is an easier route from the west via Mt. Sterling Gap. However, this longer trail follows the pretty Baxter Creek before heading up along a series of ridges on the northern side of Mt. Sterling. Much of the trail is forested and not particularly noteworth, but the last mile or so to the summit enters a gorgeous, mossy, and lush sections, the easy highlight of the hike. The lookoout tower has some nice views of the surrounding landscape, otherwise views are limited.

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Photos

29 photos

  1. Along the Baxter Creek Trail.
  2. Following Baxter Creek for a while.
  3. The trail leaves the Baxter Creek drainage and heads up a ridge.
  4. Lots of pretty forest on the ascent up to Mt. Sterling, but nothing particularly noteworthy.
  5. The occasional views through winter trees.
  6. Along the ridge, a rhododendron tunnel.
  7. The trail start to get some ferns and mosses, really increasing the appeal of the hike.
  8. Beautiful mossy rocks and light.
  9. Just before Mt. Sterling summit.
  10. Mt. Sterling lookout tower.
  11. Mt. Sterling view from within the lookout tower.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!