HIKE: Flats Mountain Trail near Indian Boundary, Cherokee National Forest

For this hike we will use a short car shuttle to Flats Mountain (trail #102) in the Tellico District of the Cherokee National Forest. We will drop some cars at Beehouse Gap, the northern end of Flats Mountain Trail (near Indian Boundary Campground), then car shuttle to Eagle Gap on the Cherohala Skyway and begin our hike at the southern end of Flats Mountain Trail. This 6.1-mile trail follows the ridge of Flats Mountain, overlooking Indian Boundary Lake and the Citico Creek Wilderness dotted with Flaming Azaleas and Rhododendron . The trail begins with a short climb to two unnamed balds, then it descends 1900 ft., to Beehouse Gap, where our shuttle cars will be parked.
Hike is 6.1 miles, rated Moderate. Trail might be overgrown in some areas, so pants or knee-high gaiters are recommended. There will be plenty of daylight left after this hike to take the short drive on River Road to see the new bridge at Bald River Falls as you make your way home!
Our Moderate hikes are: 5-10 miles and/or elevation change of 1000-1800', on trail hiking. Hikers should be regularly hiking 5+ miles with 400-500 feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile, at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace.
For more information and to register for this hike, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website here.