View From Sugarland Mountain Trail 1

On August 4th of 2014, the Alcoa Ridge Runners took a hike on the Sugarland Mountain Trail in the Sugarlands area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not far from Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee.

The three team leaders would venture forth to observe ancient trees, deep woods, and valley views. They would walk only a short 2.5 mile stretch of the 11.4 mile route, for a total distance of five miles round trip.

In this image, Ranger Ricardo takes in the vista of Sugarland Valley and the ridges beyond near the first summit at the 2.5 mile mark. This area is famous for scenery like this opening in the deep green ridge top forest, but it is also known for the delicious wild blueberries which grow in the middle elevations of the Smokies.

Because of this, black bears are usually active in these woods. However, no bears were seen during the hike, although bear sign was spotted along with distant noises only bears make. The team was on high alert as the sun marched across the mid summer sky.