Maddron Bald Trail, Hiking trail in Cocke County, Tennessee.
Maddron Bald Trail is a hiking route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park that involves multiple stream crossings and steady climbing through forest. The path winds through different types of woods and takes hikers up to higher elevations where the vegetation changes.
This trail was constructed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work program that developed many paths throughout national parks during that era. It was originally called Indian Camp Creek Trail before being renamed to what we know today.
The Willis Baxter Cabin near the trailhead shows how early settlers lived and built in the Appalachian region. This simple structure tells the story of pioneers who made use of the forest's resources to create shelter.
Good hiking boots and water are essential, especially for the creek crossings you will encounter throughout the hike. Watch for slippery ground after rain, as many sections can become hazardous during wet weather or when water levels are high.
Albright Grove, reached a few miles into the hike, is home to one of the oldest hardwood forests in the park with trees that have stood for many generations. Walking through it gives you a sense of what the forest looked like before settlements.
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