The Rock/Creek Upchuck 50K course on the Cumberland Trail isn't just home to the grueling (and appropriately named) annual trail race-it's also a great option for a challenging summer hike.
"It's just an amazing trail," says Fynn Glover, cofounder of Rootsrated.com, a hub for up-to-date outdoor knowledge-think best hikes, running routes, etc.-created by locals in select cities across the country. "One of the things that is interesting about the course is that it's a half-hour from downtown and when you arrive, you're kind of in the midst of some of the most beautiful gorge territory in the Southeast and perhaps the East Coast in my mind."
Route Recommendations from Cumberland Trail Park Ranger Andy WrightFor a thru-hike: "I personally would want three days to do that distance, if not a fourth to make it more leisurely," says Wright. Overnight parking is allowed at the trailheads with a free permit, Wright says, which is available at friendsofthecumberlandtrail.org or by calling the main office at 423-566-2229. There are several campsites available along the route; just be sure to let friends or family know your plans in case of emergency.For a day hike: "You could break this down into multiple day hikes-six or more and still not get it all, depending on how you did it," says Wright. He recommends a 6.5-mile round trip hike beginning at the Lower Leggett Road Trailhead to the 1.2-mile Rock Creek Access Trail to its junction with the 3.3-mile Rock Creek Loop Trail and back again.
The 32-mile course runs on the Cumberland Trail, which is well-marked with white blazes for the main trail and blue or yellow for connector trails. The trail may be marked, but Glover says that it is still important to be prepared with extra food, water and emergency gear in the event that you somehow venture off the path.
"It's remote, it's tough. You're steep climbing up Possum Creek and Soddy Creek and the terrain varies so much ... sometimes you're dealing with incredible views or sometimes you've descended the gorge and you're dealing with really raging creeks, especially after heavy rain," he says. "You've got to be prepared. You've got to have food and water because you're really out there."
Although Glover likes to run the course-which takes 5 hours at minimum for a seasoned trail runner and is, according to Glover, a perfect run "if you're into masochism"-hikers should plan ahead to tackle the trail a section at a time or devote 3-4 days to thru-hike the entire 32-mile stretch.
A course map is available at rockcreek.com/upchuck.rco and more detailed maps of each section of the Cumberland Trail (including the Upchuck 50K course) are available at cumberlandtrail.org.
Fast Facts
¦ Along with all of the scenic overlooks, be sure to check out Imodium Falls in Little Possum Creek and Leggett Branch Cascade in Rock Creek.¦ The course goes straight through three creeks (Upper Little Possum, Deep Creek and Big Soddy), so bring your trekking poles and be prepared to get your feet-or more depending on the levels of rainfall-wet.¦ In case you're in need of a snack or a brush with civilization, there is a convenience store/restaurant less than a mile off the route at the Heiss Mountain Trailhead.