Ellen and Ricardo on Rich Mountain Trail 01

On March 15th of 2015, the Alcoa Ridge Runners ventured forth to climb to the top of Rich Mountain north of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This trail starts at the end of the paved section of Rich Mountain Road after climbing up above Tuckaleechee Valley near Townsend in Blount County, Tennessee. The hike would be a trip to Campsite #5 to check on conditions and bear activity. No bears were spotted and the camp looked good with nothing out of place.