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| Schoolhouse Gap | ||
| Trail Features: | Quiet Forest Hike / Wildflowers | |
| Trail Location: | Between Townsend and Cades Cove | |
| Roundtrip Miles: | 3.8 miles | |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 513 feet | |
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 270 feet | |
| Highest Elevation: | 2158 feet | |
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 4.83 (easy) | |
| Parking Lot Latitude: | 35.62696 | |
| Parking Lot Longitude: | -83.72645 | |
Directions to Trailhead:
From the Townsend “Y” intersection, drive west on Laurel Creek Road towards Cades Cove. The parking lot for the Schoolhouse Gap Trail will be on the right at 3.7 miles.
Trail Description:
The day we hiked the Schoolhouse Gap Trail (May 16, 2008) the Park Service had a couple of signs at the trailhead indicating that there had been bear activity on this trail and to use caution. Interestingly, when we got to the top of the trail at the Chestnut Top Trail junction, there was a sign at the exit point on the Chestnut Top Trail indicating that the Schoolhouse Gap Trail was closed due to aggressive bear activity.
I write this as a good reminder that no matter when or where, you are always in bear country when hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Know how to avoid bear encounters and know what to do if you see one on the trail. The Park’s web site is a good place to start:
The Schoolhouse Gap Trail is an excellent trail for spring wildflowers. We saw several Virginia bluebells on the lower portion of the trail. As we proceeded along, we also saw beaked violets, pink lady’s slippers, fairy wand, golden aster, pale meadow beauty and several other wildflowers. The trail also had its share of rhododendron, and mountain laurel, which were just beginning to bloom.
The trail itself is a wide horse path in which three people could easily walk abreast. At just under a mile, the Turkeypen Ridge Trail branches off to the left. You’ll notice a large boar trap at this junction. Go straight to continue onto Schoolhouse Gap.
Just past the Turkeypen Ridge Trail another trail forks off to the left. This is an unmarked trail, but heads to the fairly well known White Oaks Sinks area. Go straight to continue on the Schoolhouse Gap Trail.
Just past this junction we saw a large owl. It appeared to be a foot in height and had at least a three-foot wing span. I’ve only seen 2 or 3 owls in the wild, so this was quite a treat.
This hike ends at the Chestnut Top Trail junction at just over 1.9 miles. You can continue for another 0.2 miles to Schoolhouse Gap, which takes you to a private residence and out of the Park.