Vent: I hiked the same 30-mile loop in the Smokies two ways, and the direction made all the difference

Last fall, I did the Deep Creek Loop clockwise over three days, starting at the trailhead near Bryson City. The first day was a brutal 12-mile climb with a 3,000-foot elevation gain, which wiped me out before I even saw the best views. This spring, I went counter-clockwise, spreading the climb over two shorter days. The second day was only 8 miles with a more gradual ascent, and I actually enjoyed the hike instead of just surviving it. The scenery felt more rewarding staged that way. Has anyone else had a route completely transformed just by flipping the direction you hike it?

2 comments

2 Comments

keithbennett19d ago

That part about the scenery feeling more rewarding when staged right is key. It's like pacing a story. You put the big payoff views after some effort, but not so much effort you're too wrecked to care. Clockwise sounds like it front-loaded all the suffering.

the_lucas19d ago

Totally get that. A brutal climb right out of the gate can ruin the whole trip. Smart move flipping it around.