Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Donley Cabin - Brookshire Creek
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Brief Description:  This event will take place in the Cherokee National Forest, off of Tellico Rd. This is a joint event with the Hiwassee Club. We will tour the Donley Cabin first, and then proceed down the Tellico River Road to the Brookshire Creek Trail.  How much we get to see of the cabin will depend on the possibility of anyone renting it at the time, and how much the renter will allow us to see.  The Donley Cabin tour will include a ¼ mile hike from the small parking lot across a stream (the North River), using a foot-log crossing, and then the ¼ mile back to our vehicles.  Because of the small parking area, we will need to limit the number of vehicles as much as possible.  The unpaved Forest Road #217 stretches for 5 1/2 miles to the cabin parking area.

After the brief visit to Donley Cabin, we will then proceed up the Bald River Road to the Brookshire Creek Trail.  The hiking trail consists of 2.0 miles in to a waterfall and 2.0 miles out, and is, relatively flat, rated easy.  Our group will be limited to 12.  This is part of the Bald River Wilderness Study Area.  There is a stream crossing which can be knee high or a mere rock hop, depending on rainfall.  Bring water shoes or wear shoes which you do not mind getting wet.  Foliage tends to grow over the trail, so long pants are suggested.  Hiking sticks are also recommended. After the hike we will have a late lunch at the Tellico Kats Deli beside the Tellico River.

Length:  4.5 miles

Difficulty Rating: Easy

Hike Leader:  Jane Bohannon Please contact the hike leader if you plan to go, at 745-9534, cell 381-8388

Directions to the Trailhead:  Meet at Hardy’s on Highway 68 at Tellico at 9:00 a.m., or at the Brookshire Creek trailhead at 10:45 a.m.

Directions to the Brookshire Creek Trailhead:  From Tellico Plains, follow Highway 165 (the Cherohala Skyway) for 5.3 miles, then bear right onto Forest Service Rd. #210 (the Tellico River Road).  After 6.0 miles, you pass Bald River Falls on the right.  Stay on Tellico River Road another 8.0 miles and turn right onto Forest Service Rd #126 (Bald River Road) toward Holly Flats Campground.  Follow FS Rd #126 for 5 miles and look for the Brookshire Creek Trail Head on the left.  A trail marker identifies the trail as FS Trail #180.   Please bring plenty of drinking water & a little trail food.

Post Trip Report: This was a joint hike with the Hiwassee Hiking Club. 

 

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