200301 - Rich Mountain Loop and India Grave Gap

This is a moderate loop trail, which we did with two additions. The standard loop can be done as an ~8.5 mile round trip. We did it as 11 miles, after adding a 2.2 mile (1.1 each way) spur on Indian Grave Gap trail, and a short 0.2 mile (0.1 each way) spur on Scott Mountain trail.

Parking is on Cades Cove Road, just prior to the road becoming one way. So you can arrive and leave the lot without needing to do the slow 11 mile driving loop.

From the Rich Mountain Loop trailhead, there is a level 0.5 mile hike to the intersection of Crooked Arm Ridge trail. We turned right at this intersection (though the loop can be done in either direction).

Follow Crooked Arm Ridge trail on a steady climb ~2.2 miles to the intersection of Scott Mountain Trail.

We turned right on Scott Mountain Trail and followed it 0.1 miles (0.2 round trip) out-and-back to Campsite 6. Note that Scott Mountain Trail is closed beyond Campsite 6. (This segment can be skipped if just doing the standard loop, but given the trail closure this is the best opportunity not to leave this as a 0.1 mile un-hiked orphan.)

Returning back to Crooked Arm Ridge trail, we turned right and continued up on what becomes Indian Grave Gap Trail. The climb is 1.5 mile to the highest point, before a 1 mile stretch down to the Rich Mountain Loop trail intersection (passing the Rich Mountain Trail intersection along the way).

At the Rich Mountain Loop trail intersection, we stayed right on Indian Grave Gap trail to complete the 1.1 mile (2.2 round trip) spur down-and back to Rich Mountain Road. This was a relatively strenuous descent and climb in parts. (This segment can be skipped if just doing the standard loop, giving you the possibility of a future shuttle hike up Rich Mountain Trail and down Indian Grave Gap Trail. We chose not to do that, hoping that if Scott Mountain Trail ever opens, then we'd have a possible hike up Rich Mountain Trail and down Scott Mountain to Chestnut Top trails, TBD!)

After the Indian Grave Gap spur, we continued down Rich Mountain Loop trail. This is a 2 mile descent to reach the historic John Oliver Cabin, with many blow downs and very rocky when we did it.

Passing the John Oliver Cabin, there's a 1.5 mile level hike back to the parking area, passing the Crooked Arm Ridge trail intersection along the way.