Big Trees in the Smokies

“Where can I find some really big trees in the Smokies? I've been promising a plant enthousiast(is that a thing?) relative of mine I'd take him on a dayhike with some big trees.

I've been into Albright Grove before, but without having a map in front of me, I seem to remember it being a little longer of a hike than he'd find enjoyable.”

“Joyce Kilmer Wilderness, just a bit west of Robbinsville, NC, in Graham County NC.

Old growth grove of tulp poplars - sposed to be over 400 years old. They are HUGE - i mean GIANT.

really short hike to reach the grove - i used to take my kids and cub scout group dayhikeing there - then go the other direction and backpack the wilderness area headed northerly toward Hangover Lead.”

“top side of Laurel Falls. There is an old growth forest. Trees 100 years old.. Chili can give you more information.”

“Opie reported some large trees in Cataloochee. I believe they were backcountry from the Boogerman Trail.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/558394343tbplxO

There are three, large trees at Big Poplars, one of which is a giant. They can be found almost one-half mile uptrail from CS#41 in Cataloochee.

Joyce Kilmer Wilderness is the place to go. One can drive to the trailhead of a one-mile, figure-eight trail. The trail will lead you to a number of large trees.
last edited: 7/08/08 10:19:41 AM”

“Awesome! Thanks guys.”

“WK, your a DORK!

LOL”

“Ha Ha! Dont'cha just love old photos of yourself”

“I second the Cataloochie Area. Big Poplars is truly breathtaking.

Albright Grove near Cosby is another good place.”

“i have a maple in my front yard that's almost 5 feet tall!!!

...oh wait, i don't live in the smokys so that doesn't do you much good”

“The upper end of Deep Creek Trail has some large old growth left. There are a lot of Hemlocks and a few large poplars. Just west of Campsite 53 (Polk Patch) there is a 7' plus diameter poplar. It is about a 4 mile hike in from the top to #53.”

“remember though...i thought the trail to boogerman trail was horrible and made me want to kill any and all horsepackers i never saw.”

“hey! that was a great photo of wounded knee on his last backpacking trip!”

“http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1099610328039041315NvylwT

Is this tree big enough???

...a yellow poplar in the middle of Sipsey Wilderness...Bankhead Forest Alabama...
last edited: 7/09/08 2:21:13 AM”

“OPIE - Yes, you did encounter some mud. That must have been "the path less traveled."

In case you missed my previous post on the subject, I did talk with the Park Ranger about your experience. He said that he was pretty sure who the party was that went riding on that trail. They had returned to their home state, but he expected to detain and talk with them on their next return. And, if others continued to horseback ride on that trail, the Park would put up gates to stop them. Please let me know if you encounter any more like difficulties. I'll do my best to get them to improve the situation.
last edited: 7/09/08 6:26:38 AM”

““hey! that was a great photo of wounded knee on his last backpacking trip!”
Yogisan
8:39:05 PM
7/08/08

Ha Ha! sure feels like it.”

“I remember that Paul, and I'm glad a few of us on here have those relationships with the stewards of our lands. But the main problem was the Divide trail i think. The boogerman was ok..there was slight sign of horse traffic, but nothing like the slog from the car”

“i hear of big trees along ramsay prong.


and there are (were?) some giants along the AT in the Gulf Prong drainage near Laurel Top. <- not really a day trip though.”

“there are a couple really big poplars but not as big as the three along the caldwell fork trail”

“The best trees in the park that I know of are the ones that Smokies22 is talking about at Big Poplars near campsite 41 on the Caldwell Fork Trail.”