Rock Creek Segment
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CUMBERLAND TRAIL
Rock Creek Segment |
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One of the Cumberland Trail's gorgeous gorges!! Numerous deep water holes along Rock Creek make it
popular during warm weather with swimmers. Part of the Cumberland Trail's 35-plus miles of recently constructed contiguous hikeable trail near Chattanooga, the Rock Creek Segment has 9.9 miles of the Cumberland Trail and associated side trails in the Rock Creek Gorge. The Rock Creek Gorge Segment is currently open for hiking but not considered complete until the trailheads are paved and marked, the Rock Creek Bridge installed, and the "punch list" items revealed by weathering and use by hikers are completed.
Punch list work involves work like adding steps in areas where it was originally felt that rock or wood steps were not needed, but that weathering and trail use has shown otherwise. Areas of easily compacted soil often "berm" on the sides and require minor recutting to restore the trail outslope after some trail use and weathering. In other areas, too much outslope in anticipation of compacting that did not occur will be corrected. It may be determined that additional blazing is needed, or that drainage may need to be improved. It may even be determined that complete rerouting and rebuilding of problem sections of newly constructed trail is necessary. Punch list items do not normally detract significantly from the hiker's experience.
Rock Creek can be easily forded except after major rainstorms. The Lower Leggett Road Trailhead and ADA Trail is paved and marked. The Upper Legget Road and Retro Hughes Road Trailhead are planned to be paved and marked in the future.
Contributed by Caroline Woerner
Length: 9.9 miles; rating: moderate. This segment is very popular with day hikers.
The Rock Creek segment of the Cumberland Trail has something for hikers of all levels. A handicap loop trail from the lower Leggett Rd. parking area makes it possible to access the creek by wheelchair. One can hike the 1.2 mile connector (begins at the Lower Leggett Rd. parking area), the Rock Creek loop (3.3miles, + the 1.2 mile connector trail-4.5 total), or the entire main trail from the Upper Leggett Rd lot to its junction with the Possum Creek segment at Retro-Hughes Rd. (5.4 miles, with a campsite down along the creek for backpackers).There are 2 overlooks with views of the Rock Creek gorge, habitat for hawks and eagles. There are creeks for wading, and some beautiful cascades at the Leggett Branch crossing. Destinations include Leggett Point & Rock Creek Overlooks, three log bridges, numerous smaller bridges and natural features, constant visits to Rock Creek, and one of the longest elevated rock platforms (we call this puzzling) on the Cumberland Trail…442 feet start to finish. Wildflowers, including fire pinks, morning glories, jack-in-the pulpits, lady slippers, dwarf crested irises and bluets, among others, are abundant in spring, and the Upper Rock section between Flat Branch and Leggett Branch has a beautiful stand of rhododendron. The last (or first, depending on which direction the hiker is going) mile from the Retro-Hughes trailhead bears the evidence of the destructive nature of the southern pine beetle; recent efforts at replanting will hopefully help heal the scarred landscape. The beautiful sandstone cliffs await the geology buffs as they hold the story of the formation of the creek gorge. Deer have been spotted drinking in Rock Creek, and beavers have made attempts to dam it up.
This segment was primarily constructed by the BreakAway and Big Dig '03 volunteers with the assistance of the AHS Volunteer Vacations, AmeriCorp NCCC, and Landmark Volunteers.
The Cumberland Trail is marked with white blazes 2" x 6". Intersections or sharp turns are marked with double blazes. Destination side trails (such as Leggett Point Overlook) are marked with yellow blazes.
The Rock Creek Connector Trail (1.2 miles):
This 1.2 mile trail provides the link from the recently paved Lower Leggett Trailhead to the Rock Creek Loop and Upper Rock Creek sections of the Cumberland Trail. Begin at the paved lower Leggett Rd. parking area. There is a paved handicap trail leading from the parking area down to and along Rock Creek. Begin on this trail to the sign; from there take a right turn and follow the blue blazes. The trail initially affords views of the creek below, then turns into the woods for 1.2 miles and intersects the Rock Creek Loop.
The Rock Creek Loop (3.3 miles plus .3 mile trail to overlook):
Begin at the lower Leggett Rd. Trailhead and follow the Connector Trail 1.2 miles to its junction with the Loop, or alternately begin at the upper Leggett Rd trailhead and hike 0.13 miles to the first junction. From there, one can either turn right and switchback down to Boiling Springs (0.23 miles, blazed blue), or continue on along the main trail (blazed white). From this junction, another .16 miles along the main trail through an old pine plantation will bring the hiker to the junction with the Leggett Point overlook side trail (blazed yellow). This 20 minute round trip (.3 miles one-way) is well worth the effort. An easy, gently rolling hike on an old road bed, the Overlook Trail opens up into a panoramic view of the Rock Creek gorge below. It is from here that hawks, eagles, and other birds are spotted. The fall colors are breathtaking. From the junction with the Overlook Trail another 0.17 miles brings to an end the pine plantation and the beginning of the descent into the gorge. For a mile after leaving the pine thicket, the trail crosses 3 footbridges over gulches and in 1.18 miles from the junction with the Overlook trail, the hiker will reach the junction with the Connector trail (1.2 miles to the lower Leggett Rd. trailhead.) By continuing on along the main trail another 1.42 miles, the junction with Upper Rock Creek trail is reached. From this junction, one can either turn up to the Upper Leggett Rd. trailhead, thus closing the loop, or turn left and cross the Boiling Springs log bridge.
Upper Rock Creek Gorge Trail (4.93 miles):
This hike presses the Cumberland Trail west up Rock Creek Gorge to the Rock Creek ford and continues to the Retro Hughes Road Unimproved Trailhead Parking area. Rock Creek can be waded except after spring rains. The trail offers the Boiling Springs, Flat, and Rocky Branch log bridge crossings and the Rock Creek Overlook all in the first 0.6 miles, the Leggett Branch crossing in 1.6 miles, and upper Rock Creek ford (future site of a bridge) at 2.3 miles. The long elevated rock platform (we call this puzzling)…442 feet start to finish…is located just before the hiker reaches Leggett Branch. A campsite is currently located at the 2.1 mile marker along Rock Creek. This site, eventually to be relocated, can accommodate a small group of folks and 2-3 tents.
Begin by crossing the Boiling Springs log bridge:
0.28 mi- Rock Creek overlook spur
0.36 mi- Flat Branch log bridge
0.54 mi- Rocky Branch log bridge
0.98 mi-remnants of moonshine still
1.6 mi- Leggett Branch crossing-cascades on the right
2.09 mi- campsite
2.28 mi- Rock Creek bridge (yet to be built as of this writing); cross creek and climb rock steps to trail along bluff line
2.33 mi- ladder
2.35 mi- rock house
2.38 mi- begin switchbacks up from creek gorge
3.15 mi-rock house
3.22 mi- cross ATV road
3.35 mi- creek crossing
3.41 mi- cross ATV road
3.61 mi- right turn- begin pine thicket
3.89 mi- junction with utility load used by logging company
4.35 mi-stone slab bridge- right turn
4.75 mi-emerge from woods, turn right along plateau. The clear-cut here is a result of the pine beetle infestation; what was once pine plantation is now a barren landscape. Without the trees, the canopy has given way to sunlight, allowing undergrowth including blackberries which can be enjoyed while in season, usually late June or early to mid July.
4.93 mi- Retro-Hughes Rd. kiosk. Cross the road to begin the Possum Creek segment of the Cumberland Trail.
| Location | GPS Waypoint |
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| Lower Leggett Road Trailhead | N35 23.166 W85 08.135 |
| Upper Leggett Road Trailhead | N35 24.606 W85 07.856 |
| Leggett Point Overlook | N35 24.335 W85 08.241 |
| Boiling Springs Bridge | N35 24.697 W85 08.085 |
| Rock Creek Overlook | N35 24.794 W85 08.304 |
| Flat Branch Bridge | N35 24.858 W85 08.331 |
| Rocky Branch Bridge | N35 24.933 W85 08.469 |
| Leggett Branch | N35 25.226 W85 09.197 |
| Rock Creek Campsite | N35 25.210 W85 09.544 |
| Future Rock Creek Bridge | N35 25.298 W85 09.704 |
| Retro Hughes Road Trailhead | N35 24.173 W85 11.021 |
Camping on the Rock Creek Segment:
The Rock Creek Campground is a popular destination. The backcountry campsite is currently located at the 2.1 mile marker along the Upper Rock Creek Trail. This site, eventually to be relocated, can accommodate a small group of folks and 2-3 tents. The campsite is 4.8 miles and 2.6 miles from the Lower and Upper Leggett Rd. Trailheads, respectively.
Driving directions for the Rock Creek Segment:
Lower Leggett Road Paved Trailhead: Coming north from Chattanooga on US 27: Turn west (left) on Leggett Road just north of the Sale Creek community. The lower Leggett parking area is on the left at 1.4 miles. It is a paved parking lot with plenty of marked parking spaces.
Upper Leggett Rd. Trailhead:The upper Leggett Road parking is another 2.1 winding miles further up the road. Continue through the curve on Leggett Rd. and climb to the top of the escarpment for 2.1 miles to a lightly graveled parking area on your left. The trailhead is only 50 ft. back down the road…look for the blazing. At present, it is unimproved and there is parking for 3-4 cars.
Retro Hughes Road Unimproved Trailhead Parking: Coming north from Chattanooga on US 27: At the first stoplight (Bakewell) beyond the US 27/ TN 111 split turn west (left) on Retro Hughes Road. Proceed 6.7 winding miles, climb onto the plateau, to the trailhead on the right, immediately past a logging road entrance. At present there is no paved lot, but there is parking on the right side of the road along the service road used by the logging company. The trailhead will be developed and paved in the future. Plenty of parking is currently available along the road. Please do not block the logging road.
Adopt-a-Trail:
Monty Matney of Harrison, TN; Trail Steward Rock Creek Segment
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