Thunderhead Mountain via Russell Field Loop

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

Trip stats

Distance
15.8 mi
Net Gain
4,100 ft
Time
6-8 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop
Peaks
2

Ratings out of 10

Effort
5.8/10
Personality
6/10
Beauty
8/10
Solitude
3/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Rocky Top
    5,441′ elevation · 41′ prominence
  2. Thunderhead Mountain
    5,527′ elevation · 1,087′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

35.606390, -83.775540

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.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Nov 2, 2016 — I started out from Cades Cove and ascended the Anthony Creek Trail, then took the Bote Mountain Trail up to the Appalachian Trail, which marks the border of the Tenneesee and North Carolina border. I headed east, passing Rocky Top and onward to Thunderhead Mountain. From Thunderhead Mountain's summit I headed back west, crossed Spence Field, and continued until the junction with the Russell Field Trail. I took this trail north, descending back to the Anthony Creek Trail, completing the loop.

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Photos

34 photos

  1. From Cades Cove, I headed along the Anthony Creek Trail, doing the loop clockwise.
  3. Ascending pretty slowly along the Anthony Creek Trail.
  4. A pretty bridge along the Anthony Creek Trail.
  8. Junction with the Bote Mountain Trail. I headed south to join the Appalachian Trail.
  12. Nearing the junction of Bote Mountain Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
  13. Along the Appalachian Trail, heading east toward Thunderhead Mountain.
  15. Rocky Top, a minor hump on the way to Thunderhead Mountain.
  19. Ascending to Thunderhead Mountain.
  22. Thunderhead Mountain.
  24. Heading west along the ridge toward Russel Field.
  26. Descending back to Anthony Creek.

Photo 1 of 1

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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!

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