Smokies Tater Ridge, Off Trail, 2-1-25

I’ve been exploring the off trail ridges around Rich Mountain since being introduced to the area by Mike and David on a SMHC hike two years ago. All the ridges trending south from Rich Mtn. are steep, narrow, and relatively open in their understory. Tater Ridge trends west off that end of Rich Mtn., but there was reason to assume that it too would be relatively clear. I could not find any evidence of old roads or homesites etc. on the ridge from old maps, and also did not find any documentation that others had hiked it.

It was getting to be prime winter off trail conditions, but Jean and I hadn’t been to the Smokies yet. So, I sent a note to Ed and Mike to see if Tater Ridge would interest them. Immediately, I heard from Mike who said he could go the next day.

We picked Mike up at the Townsend Wye. I parked at the Methodist Church on the Cades Cove Loop Road. Traffic was light, but I wasn’t sure if there would be parking at Hyatt Lane (we could have pulled over, if needed). There are 7 paved slots at the Church. The temperature was about 40F at the start, warming to about 50, with heavy overcast all day. 

The Methodist Church from Tater Ridge.

We first walked around the church cemetery, then headed down the Loop Road. We were passed by a few cars, but traffic was light. Then we turned right onto well graveled Rich Mtn. Road. The NPS had cut lots of trees around both the Cades Cove and Rich Mtn roads. The windy road climbed gently. Two high speed mountain bikers passed us heading down. It turns out Mike often rides Rich Mtn. Road from the park boundary to the Cove.

A fungus on Tater Ridge.

There’s a high bank where Rich Mtn. Road crosses the crest of Tater Ridge. We had to overshoot it, then weave through some rhodo to gain the ridge crest. Jean was up top first and kept the lead all day long. The start of the ridge is gentle with three small knobs we called the little taters. The ridgetop was all hardwood, with a lot of young white pine in the understory. There were scattered blowdowns and a few thick patches of young hardwood trees, but there was no rhodo and nothing difficult to walk through. We got one great view down into the cove with the Methodist Church in view. Much of the ridge had a faint game trail along it, and there was one section with several piles of bear poop. We likely missed some other vistas because of the thick fog. I went jacket free for a while near the top.

The main part of the climb was steeper, but not too long or too tough. There is one false summit followed by a short RR-grade like section of flat ridge. The final peak at point 3380’ was pleasant and would be a fine side trip from the Rich Mtn Loop. There was a slight breeze at the top, and without our warmth from climbing we headed down to the Rich Mountain Trail to get out of the wind before stopping for lunch.

Descending Cave Ridge.

Then we walked down the trail to the old, and nearly grown over, overlook at ~3000’. The upper part of Cave Ridge is one of my favorites, It is narrow, easy to follow and has very little understory and good views. It is probably also great for flowers in spring. We took our time descending. But the last few hundred feet of the ridge are wickedly steep. I had to concentrate hard to keep my balance and make sure my running shoes didn’t skid down the mountain. With Mike’s help we came to the bottom of the ridge exactly at Gregory Cave. The cave mouth is now obscured by a blowdown over the opening. I took a few pictures, and then went into the cave as far as the bat gate in the first room. 

At Gregory Cave.

There is still an obvious manway back to Cades Cove Loop Road. On the way out we passed a woman hiking in. We walked the Loop Road back to the Methodist Church. Though there were more cars than in the morning, there was still plenty of room to walk, and much less traffic compared to full season. Totals for the day were 5.9 miles and 1700’ of climb.