A favorite loop hike: Rich Mountain Loop/Crooked Arm Ridge/Indian Grave Gap

This popular loop hike is a classic and one of the club’s favorite loop hikes. We will begin at the entrance of the Cades Cove Loop Road. We’ll approach the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, starting with a short section on the Rich Mountain Loop Trail before bearing right onto the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail. We will have an uphill climb of about 1500 ft. (over 2 miles), and we’ll see Crooked Arm Falls along the way as well as outstanding views of Cades Cove. Then we will pick up the Indian Grave Gap Trail where we will be hiking a ridgeline offering views of Dry Valley and Townsend to the north. Next we’ll start down the Rich Mountain Loop Trail, with a stop at the John Oliver Cabin before finishing the hike back at our cars.
* Total round-trip hike distance is 8.6 miles with 2000 ft. elevation gain.; 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.