Chasteen Creek to Hughes Ridge

About the Hike

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Hike Description

900M Contact leader via email for reservation. This loop hike starts in the Smokemont Campground of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and goes along scenic Chasteen Creek up to the crest of Hughes Ridge. From that point, it follows a fairly level course. Although the mileage is long, the park trails are well graded. NOTE: A parking pass for each vehicle is required in the GSMNP. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm. *Hike canceled due to rain.*Topos: Smokemont

Scout Report

Donna Lanning and I scouted this hike, which has been changed to the Thomas Divide/Indian Creek Trail (a version of Hike No. 904) as reflected in the Breaking News from earlier in the week, on Saturday, June 27, 2026. For the most part, trail conditions were unremarkable. A fair of amount of foliage overgrowth existed in the first half mile after the intersection of the Thomas Divide Trial and the Indian Creek Motor Trail; however, the portion of the trial across the Thomas Divide after that was a very pleasant woods walk with limited view to either side of the ridge. On the other hand, the portion of the Deeplow Gap Trail from the Thomas Divide Trial to the Indian Creek Motor Trail had been recently cleared, much made for easier walking. Along the route, the rhododendron were in bloom. The entire hike took about seven hours at a pretty good clip, so I would anticipate that we will not be back to the parking lot until around 5:00 p.m. (and possibly later).