We took off this morning and made the hour drive to Bryson City and the Deep Creek area of the Smokies. This popular area was near one of Horace Kephart's famed camping spots. We had scheduled to do a backpack loop in this area, but had decided not to do that this trip due to the gout attack at the beginning of the week kind of throwing us off. Instead we decided to just do a good day hike loop to see a lot of the area and even stop in and see a backcountry site for future reference. It was also a good opportunity to check one of the maps I have been working on for the trails in this area. The map turned out to be very accurate and wouldn't you know we ran across a couple out on the trails lost and complaining that the maps/signs the parks had out were confusing and they needed help. For these people, I doubt any map would have helped them, but it was reassuring that there might be a good need for some better maps in the Smokies.
We started our hike out on the Juney Whank Loop Trail to check out one of three waterfalls we would see today - Juney Whank Falls:
Juney Whank Falls:
A guy from Britain took our picture here. Long way to come for this waterfall. I asked if they were going up the way to see the other two waterfalls (bigger and more scenic from what I had heard) and he said he was too exhauseted from hiking up to this one (0.3 miles, 300 feet climb from parking lot) to see the others. Too bad as you will see :)
Leaving the falls and heading towards the Deep Dreek Trail through a nice rhododundren forest:
On the Deep Creek Trail now (old road bed)
Tom Branch Falls:
Small creek off trail:
Down to Indian Creek Falls:
Back on the Deep Creek Trail:
We hiked along Deep Creek to Backcountry Site #60 which was situated on the creek. Here we stopped for a lunch break of leftover fish and chips.
Bear cable system at campsite:
After lunch, we headed back on Deep Creek Trail and cut over onto Loop Trail to make the rest of the hike a loop. This trail climbed up around 300-400 feet and then dropped back down to the Indian Creek Trail which led us back past Indian Creek Falls to the Deep Creek Trail closer to the trailhead.
We got to the top of the ridge and took a break before continuing on the Loop Trail:
At the intersection of the Indian Creek Trail and Loop Trail:
Deep Creek: 
Tom Branch Falls again for a second time (heading back to trailhead):
After the hike we went back to camp and enjoyed the best sunset yet, a good book, and a good nights rest!!
Tom Branch Falls again for a second time (heading back to trailhead):
After the hike we went back to camp and enjoyed the best sunset yet, a good book, and a good nights rest!!
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