We’ll take advantage of the recent reopening of Parson Branch Road to shorten hiking remote portions of Hannah Mtn and Rabbit Creek trails as a car shuttle hike. We’ll leave some cars at the Rabbit/Abrams Creek trailhead in Cades Cove and shuttle over on Parson Branch Rd to Sams Gap and begin hiking on Hannah Mountain Trail. Hannah Mountain Trail traverses a remote section of the park with gentle ups and downs and some historical and natural interests. At 7.6 miles we intersect Rabbit Creek Trail at Scott Gap which we follow back to Cades Cove.The Rabbit Creek Trail climbs gradually to a long flat ridge and ends with an easy creek crossing of Mill Creek to the Cades Cove Abrams Creek parking lot. We return to Sams Gap with the waiting cars via one way Parson Branch Rd and drive back to the car pool via a portion of The Dragon. Parson Branch Road is a bit rough in places so higher ground clearance vehicles recommended. If the group would rather hike 4 mi on Parson Branch Rd and shorten the drive back we can go with that option. Hike 12.7 miles with 1000 ft elevation gain and two creek crossings. Rated difficult due to length and access. Drive 67 miles @ 10 cents=$6.70. Meet at Alcoa Food City at 8am and plan on leaving promptly for Cades Cove.

Leader: Tim Bigelow

Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.