Long Hungry Ridge Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Wildflowers · Wildlife

At the northern end of this trail is a fork that connects to Gregory Bald Trail and Gregory Ridge Trail. The trails mostly follows the Long Hungry Ridge before dipping downhill towards Campsite 92. There are ample opportunities to gather water from small streams along this trail, depending on recent rainfall in the mountains. Just south of Campsite 92 is a fork in the trail - runners can take Twentymile Loop Trail back to Wolf Ridge Trail, south along Twentymile Trail back to the Twentymile Ranger Station, or east towards the Shuckstack Fire Tower (and the Appalachian Trail (AT)).

Flowering plants bloom between March and July. In the fall, leaves begin to change color around September and continue through November. Two of the most common trees in this area are the mountain laurels (Kalmia latinfolia) and umbrella magnolias (Magnolia tripetala). The flame azaleas atop Gregory Bald are especially beautiful, and can be found in full bloom from mid- to late June.

As for local fauna, black bears are common in the area, along with white-tailed deer and 31 species of salamanders.

For more information on black bears in the Smokies, refer to this webpage.

Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, notably the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) and red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus).