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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a great trail year round but it's most popular in the early spring for wild flowers and on this hike we counted over 60 different species. The Chestnut Top Trail is marked and ascends to Schoolhouse Gap Trail for a 4.3 mile hike.Turn right and proceed 2/10 of a mile and look for a trail to the left Follow this trail in and out of the creek for about 1/2 mile until you come to a opening then turn left.You'll know when you reach White Oak Sinks, it's a level bottom with trails meandering throughout that will showcase so many different flowers.The main trail will fork go left to reach the falls and this will be a great place for lunch. After lunch backtrack to the main trail and take the fork to the left. This trail will ascend the ridge and connect to Schoolhouse Gap Trail then turn left to reach Chestnut Top Trail and return to complete this loop. Please contact me for waypoints to accurately hike this off trail wonder. Trailhead: Preferred route: I-40 (Knoxville) to 140 East to 129 South follow signs to 411N/321N then continue on 321N to 73 East and you will enter the GSMNP. Park at the parking lot just before get to the "Y" at the intersection of Little River Road and Townsend entrance road. Chestnut Top Trailhead is across the street. (Lat:35.66062 Lon:-83.70895) Trail Guides for Chestnut Top/White Oak Sinks: Day Hikes in GSMNP by Johnny Molloy () Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Cades Cove Ranger 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 Jen and Sal on 1/15/2007 Wonderful hike. My husband and I went out to the bat cave and falls yesterday for the first time, and found it very enjoyable. The trail is totally clear in the winter, which made for a smooth hike. My husband decided we should scramble up the steep trail next to the falls, and we made it ok. Turned out to be a pretty good shorcut, though it is rather dangerous. Even though this trail isn't on the park maps, word of mouth must be bringing in the hikers - we were surprised to see two other groups while in the sinks. 
Reviewed by lala on 5/9/2006 I forgot my camera and did not get to take a picture of the hidden waterfall. We took the steep trail up the waterfall as a dare from a OLD hiker who ran up the hill. This ia an easy hike, I want to try to take my teen on her first hike on this one. Thanks
Reviewed by sam on 7/30/2004 good hike...but when you get into the sinks the trail to the left leads to the hog trap and then the bat cave. the trail to the right leads to the waterfall. at the hog trap the trail is badly overgrown and the weeds are about six feet tall in summer, but the trail is visible at your feet. there is an exit almost straight up at the waterfall. do not take it. it is horribly dangerous. (it is also accessed from above by taking the FIRST right fork coming into the area above the sinks).
Reviewed by CH on 4/29/2004 My hiking group does this hike every spring without fail Anytime in April is a good time to go. 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, Blount County Hiking, Blount County Trails, Blount County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||