Lonesome Pine - Hike to Lonesome Pine Overlook in Smoky Mountains

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Lonesome Pine Overlook
Trail Features:		Views
Trail Location:		Deep Creek
Roundtrip Miles:		6.7 miles
Total Elevation Gain:		2300 feet
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile:		687 feet
Highest Elevation:		4175 feet
Trail Difficulty Rating:		11.30 (strenuous)
Parking Lot Latitude:		35.45964
Parking Lot Longitude:		-83.43869

Directions to Trailhead:

The Lonesome Pine Overlook is reached via the Noland Divide Trail out of the Deep Creek area, which is located just north of Bryson City in North Carolina. To reach the trailhead from Cherokee, head south on Rt. 19. You'll drive exactly 10 miles from the intersection of 441 and 19 in Cherokee to Everett Street in Bryson City. Turn right onto Everett and drive for 0.2 miles.

Trail Description:

The Noland Divide Trail begins as a steady climb as it skirts the southern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through the lower elevations of the hike you'll be passing through a mixed new growth forest. As you climb higher views of the surrounding mountains, as well as your destination, become more prevalent.

At roughly 1.6 miles from the trailhead you'll pass a nice cascade tumbling down the hillside.

As you walk along the narrow Beaugard Ridge, roughly 3 miles from the trailhead, the Lonesome Pine Overlook is almost straight ahead of you. The trail actually goes around to the backside of the knob where you'll see a sign for the short spur trail to the top.

Turn right onto Depot Street. After a short distance, take a left onto Ramseur Street and then an immediate right onto Deep Creek Road and then drive 2.3 miles to the park entrance. The Noland Divide trailhead is located across (on your left) from the bridge leading into the Deep Creek Campground.

This is an outstanding hike if you're seeking a little bit of solitude and some incredible views of the Southern Smokies. The area around the Lonesome Pine Overlook offers commanding views of the Nantahala Mountains across the Tuckasegee River valley, as well as Bryson City almost directly below you. Although the name of the knob would seem to indicate unimpeded views, there are actually several trees that get in the way of a perfect vantage point. Actually, the narrow ridgeline just below the summit offers better views of the mountains to the east and towards the west.

I should also mention that there are a few sections of trail on the top half of the hike where the path is fairly narrow with steep drop-offs on the side. There's nothing exceedingly dangerous here, just a word of caution.