Rocky Flats Trail #100

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Historical Significance · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Not a terribly difficult trail to run as it is to follow. Overgrown in places with dead fall typically found in wilderness trail systems. In some places the forest and trail are nearly indiscernible. A 4 mile road run along Doublecamp - Jake Best (TN-FSR2659) and Citico road creates a loop.

This trail starts at Warden Fields, more commonly known as the massive Citico Campsite #14. It is not unheard of during busier weekends to have someone camped in front of the trailhead. Use your best judgement and maybe be more respectful than the campers were.

The trail starts uphill, steeply, for the first quarter mile before easing into a more manageable grade, winding downstream alongside the barely visible Citico creek. Around a mile you hear the last gurgling of the bigger waterway as you turn sharply and descend into a lush valley with its own little creek. As you follow alongside, crossing the small branch a few times, the trail can be difficult to see as the forest is having it's way. Pink and orange flag tape mark some of the way, though these eventually wither and fall away. One last crossing and you begin the climb up a ridge and over. The trail now follows along the mountain ridge facing Doublecamp Creek.

Winding along this side of the ridge you cross a couple of small rock-hop type drainages, another opportunity to fill your water bottle. As you pass near Rocky Flats branch, the trails namesake, you'll pass an old chimney marking a historical site. Climb this last ridge and you soon can hear the babbling of nearby Mills Branch. After a descent you'll end on Doublecamp Creek road close to the Mills Branch #96 trailhead.