Snake Den Ridge Trail, hiking trail in Tennessee, United States
Snake Den Ridge Trail is a hiking path in Great Smoky Mountains National Park that begins at Cosby Campground and winds through dense forest with tall trees, rocky sections, and multiple stream crossings. The route ascends steeply through varied forest types, passing old gravesites and waterfalls before reaching the ridge crest where expansive views open across the mountain valleys and distant peaks.
The ridge has served as a walking route for locals for generations and is part of the historic network of paths in the Smoky Mountains connected to early settlement. A significant feature is the wreckage of a military jet that crashed in 1984, visible on the mountainside as a reminder of the tragedy that took two pilots' lives.
The trail takes its name from the wildlife inhabiting this ridge, where snakes and other creatures live in the forest. As you walk, you notice how local hikers treat this path as a spiritual journey through untamed nature, pausing at viewpoints to absorb the connection between themselves and the wild landscape.
Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring plenty of water, as the trail climbs steeply and offers no facilities along the way. Spring and fall offer the best conditions with mild weather, while winter snow and ice can make sections impassable and should be avoided by most hikers.
The trail features the visible wreckage of an F-4 Phantom jet that crashed in 1984, still resting on the mountainside as a solemn reminder of two pilots' lives lost. This unusual remnant adds a layer of human history to the natural landscape and becomes a contemplative stopping point for many hikers.
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