Moderate Weekday Hike: Schoolhouse Gap, Turkeypen Ridge, Finley Cane, Bote Loop

We will combine 4 trails to create a Moderate 11.3-mile loop, utilizing the trails that criss-cross Laurel Creek Road. Starting at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead on Laurel Creek Road, we’ll hike the entire length of that trail, passing the Turkeypen Ridge Trail junction to reach the picnic table where the trail meets the Scott Mountain Trail. We’ll reverse course to pick up the Turkeypen Ridge Trail, hiking its length until we again reach Laurel Creek Road. We’ll cross the road to pick up the Finley Cane Trail, hiking it until we reach the Bote Mountain Trail. We’ll hike the ridge until Bote turns down the mountain, taking us back to our starting point at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead.
Total hike distance is 11.3 miles, rated Moderate.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
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.