This one way, 9.6 mile hike from north to south on the Benton MacKaye is considered strenuous. We will leave Fontana Village Lodge and head west towards Tapoco Lodge at the juntion on US 129, the Little Tennessee River and the Cheoah River.

This section of the trail was originally part of the AT until 1947, when the AT was rerouted towards Fontana Dam.

From Fontana Village we will begin a steep ascent to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain. A gain of about 1000 feet. Here will be at Lookout Rock, an outcrop with great views of the Smokies. Once Yellow Creek Mountain is reached we will have a long stretch of ridge running until we reach a long descent to the Little Tennessee River and the end of the hike.

We will be meeting in the morning at 8:00 AM at the McDonald's in Robbinsville, NC. The address for the McDonald's is: 374 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC, 28771.

Note: We will be leaving the McDoanld's at 8:30 AM sharp for the trailheads.