Pinkroot
Ridge was formerly a regular SMHC destination that has fallen out of the
rotation. I had read an account of a recent trip on GoSmokies that described
the route as relatively open. We had a spell of cool weather we knew would be
great for going off trail, Jean was interested, and so we planned a trip. Our
route would start at Cades Cove, climb up the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail, and
follow a short piece of the Scott Mountain Trail to the top of Pinkroot Ridge.
Then we would simply descend the ridge to the Laurel Creek Road and then hike back
to our cars.
On the ridge crest.
The
Scott Mountain Trail was technically closed past Scott Mountain Backcountry
Campsite #6, but we knew that we wouldn’t need to use the part of the trail
that had been damaged by the tornado that had prompted the trail closure in 2011.
This closure was caused by the same storm that closed the Beard Cane and
Hatcher Mountain trails from 2011 through 2013. As of 2024, Scott Mountain Trail
remains closed.
Coming
up the Crooked Arm Trail there was no sign at the Scott Mtn. junction. Crooked
Arm was torn up from the combination of horse traffic, unsustainably steep
grades, and wet weather. Our first surprise of the trip was finding that the
Scott Mountain Trail was mapped incorrectly on the USGS topo. It swings much
lower around Turkeypen Ridge than is shown. (Or maybe there is just an old relocation
that needs exploring). Some of the closed section of the trail was starting to
grass over.
Keeping on course.
We
found the top of Pinkroot Ridge, but started down the wrong fork, a bit too far
to the east. There were lots of exposed rocks and a few small cliffs. A nice
bear trail led us back to the ridge through some thick blackberry patches. The
main part of the descent was open as advertised, and very pretty through a long
flatter section. Farther down were some blowdowns with greenbrier mixed in, but
nothing too thick.
We
weren’t sure how to handle the last of the descent down to Laurel Creek Road.
We started to go west, but that draw looked rhodo filled. So, we climbed up and
over the main ridge and thrashed our way down to the road. Walking the road
back we could see into the west draw, and that view didn’t look bad.
Regardless, the last section only takes around 10 minutes.
Our 2014 Route.
 |
| Ridgetop snow 2016. |
We
repeated this trip on 2-27-16 on the same route with Claudia. The weather was a
lot different with the creeks full, and almost an inch of snow on top. We saw
two guys hiking on the Scott Mountain Trail, even though it was still
officially closed. On the descent I marked one greenbrier-rich area, but
otherwise the ridge was still open, easy walking, especially on the flatter
sections. We dropped off the ridge on the west side to Green Branch, a route we
liked better than our first trip. Again, we were back to the picnic area in
time for a late lunch. 
Blowdowns in 2016.
