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 Reporter |
Summary: This would be a great hike for those who are car camping in Cosby Campground or just picnicking at Cosby as well. There are several creeks for cooling off on a hot summer day or trying your luck at trout fishing. The first part of the hike is a steady ascend before you reach the A.T., we rated this moderate based on the Localhikes criteria but it's more on the strenuous for the elevation gain then the dramatic descend once you reach the Low gap Trail. Once you reach the A.T. it's a welcome feeling as the trail levels out for a while. There are some great views along the A.T. looking west into Cosby and east to Mt. Sterling. You may want to stop off by Cosby Knob Shelter for a rest or just stop by to check it out. Once you pass Cosby Knob you will come to the Low Gap Trail take this to return to Cosby Campground. Trailhead: From Knoxville: I-40 East to Exit #440 Highways 321 & 32 turn right off exit ramp. Stay on Highway 32 South to Cosby Campground (Highway 321 will go to right to Gatlinburg) about two miles turn right into Cosby Campground. Park in designated hiker's parking lot on left. Trailhead north of parking lot sign marked Snake Den Ridge Trail. ***** Great Smoky Mountains National Park***** (Lat:35.75016 Lon:-83.20489) Trail Guides for Snake Den Ridge/AT/Low Gap: Day Hikes in GSMNP by Johnny Molloy () Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Horses, Ranger Contact: GSMNP 865-436-1200 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Bobby Trotter, who has posted 74 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Dustin on 11/12/2007 Just got back yesterday from this hike. We backpacked the whole thing over 3 days. We started at Snake Den Trail and hiked up hill all day on Friday. Truely a butt kicker! Due to the drought water was little hard to come by after the first mile. We slept at impromtu campsite on top of the ridge and it was very beautiful, but very cold. We hiked down Camel ???? trail to refill water the next day. We found a nice little hidden place for some water right off the trail near a unmarked campsite. We hiked down about 2 miles from the ridge to Cosby shelter. This shelter is nice! Looks like it was just renovated recently and it looks good! Hiked 3 miles down hill to Cosby campground on the third day. Definately a rewarding trip. Very beautiful!
Reviewed by LTY on 10/27/2007 I hiked this trail on 10/27/07. Nice cool weather for a steady uphill climb. Once the morning fog, and some clouds cleared away, the view from Inadu Knob were great as were the views from Maddron Bald. I just had to make this little side trip on the way back. Saw several huge yellow poplar and hemlocks in the areas that were propably never logged. 
Reviewed by curt on 7/13/2007 The climb up snake den is a b***h
Reviewed by SteveC on 6/29/2006 Nice loop trail if you want some good exercise. The trail will start out steep no matter which direction you hike it. If you're going to do this loop, you might as well add half a mile (round trip) by going down to Maddron Bald and back at the point where Snake Den Ridge intersects with the Maddron Bald Trail. Also check out the Cosby Shelter, with its brand new privy! Might be a good idea to do this one sometime late fall to early spring, as unfortunately the high growth and foliage in the summer obscures many of the wonderful views that would otherwise be possible. Nonetheless, a couple of openings do allow for occasional good views. I agree with another reviewer that the trail is too rocky in places, but still can be navigated with care
Reviewed by Balazs on 6/28/2006 I did this with my brother in April with the addition of going to the Mount Cammerer firetower and back from Low Gap. It's a difficult hike, you'll gain 3600 feet in the first 4.5 miles, but was definitely worth it. The only negative is that the trail is too rocky in many places for my liking. 
Reviewed by ac on 9/27/2005 very nice loop trail. i dont know why that one guy said there were no views because there were many excellent views. the whole course of the trip climbs about 4000 feet but if you take your time it is not bad at all. any time of year is good to go on this one but probably fall spring and winter or late summer is best
Reviewed by Miss Rachel on 7/14/2005 I have to say that I very much enjoyed this hike, although it is not for those looking for an easy hike. It is very steep in places, but you really get out there - at the top, there is rhodo that gives way to an excellent view, and you realize how high up you are! Off of the Snake Den trail there is the Albright Grove - some of the best old growth I've seen in this area. But the trail to it is pretty far up, so be patient. There are even some big rocks along the way that could allow a little bouldering. Coming down can be pretty hard as well, but you are rewarded by a great little restuarant right in Cosby...the name of which escapes me after 4 hard days on the AT. 
Reviewed by Pappy on 7/20/2004 After reading the original review my wife and I decided to try this hike. To start the top is 5800ft not 5200ft and it does not level off at the top of the inital climb of 4.6 miles as the original reviewer reported . No views to speak of at all due to trees and plants. Mountain streams along the way to cool down in the original review maybe in the first 1/4 mile of the hike. A good percentage of the hike is rocky mountain stream beds that are slow going. It took 10 hrs to do this hike with a lunch and dinner break. Mostly and endurance test with no rewards along the way. Other than some old growth trees and cemetaries all which can be seen in the first 1 mile of the hike I would not recommend this hike. Cosby is great but not this loop. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Tennessee Hiking, Tennessee Trails, Tennessee Hikes, Cocke County Hiking, Cocke County Trails, Cocke County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||