Caldwell Fork Trail

20 May 2011, 6.2 miles

The trailhead (point C) is on Cataloochee Road in Big Cataloochee, just past the Cataloochee Campground and just before the Cataloochee Ranger Station.  Access is via North Carolina exit 20 from Interstate 40 (point A) and the Cataloochee entrance to the park (point B).  Because of the windiness of the roads, it's about 5.7 miles from point A to point B, and about 7.0 miles from point B to point C.  The drive takes a while because it's hard to average more than about 10 or 15 miles per hour.

It is 6.3 miles from the trailhead (point A on this map) to the junction with the Rough Fork Trail (point B on this map).

I hiked 3.2 miles from the trailhead (point A) on the trail map to the junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, for a total round trip of 6.4 miles.

Caldwell Fork Trail trailhead sign.

Caldwell Fork Trail trailhead, broad view.

Caldwell Fork Trail, log bridge at the trailhead.

Caldwell Fork Trail, one of many stream crossings, all with a log bridge.

Typical stream crossing, one of many, on Caldwell Fork Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5/20/2011 from Jerry Bryan on Vimeo.

A typical stream crossing on the Caldwell Fork Trail.  There are numerous such crossings on the trail, all of which have a log bridge.

Standing at the first junction with the Boogerman trail, looking back the way I came.

Caldwell Fork Trail, first junction with the Boogerman Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5/11/2011 from Jerry Bryan on Vimeo.

Video of the junction of the Caldwell Fork trail with the first of two intersections with the Boogerman trail.

Sign for first junction with Boogerman trail.

Sign for first junction with Boogerman trail.

Another typical stream crossing with a log bridge.

Another typical stream crossing, one of many, on Caldwell Fork Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5/20/2011 from Jerry Bryan on Vimeo.

Video for a typical stream crossing with a log bridge.

Second junction with the Boogerman trail, 2.8 miles from the Caldwell Fork Trail trailhead.

Caldwell Fork Trail, second junction with the Boogerman Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5/20/2011 from Jerry Bryan on Vimeo.

Video for the second junction with the Boogerman trail.

Close up of the trail sign at the junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, 3.2 miles from the Caldwell Fork Trail Trail trailhead.

Close up of the trail sign at the junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, 3.2 miles from the Caldwell Fork Trail Trail trailhead.

Trail sign at the junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, 3.2 miles from the Caldwell Fork Trail Trail trailhead.

Caldwell Fork Trail, junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5/20/2011 from Jerry Bryan on Vimeo.

Video of the junction with the Big Fork Ridge Trail, 3.2 miles from the Caldwell Fork Trail Trail trailhead.

Self portrait at the junction of the Caldwell Fork Trail and the Big Fork Ridge Trail, taken using a timer with my camera sitting on the ground and pointed upwards, there being no other place for it to sit.