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    Vacation » Hike to Spence Field and Rocky Top

    Hike to Spence Field and Rocky Top

    Posted: 01/20/2013 | Last updated: 07/15/2024 by Erin K. Browne 6 Comments
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

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    Spence Field & Rocky Top via Lead Cove Trail

    Roundtrip Length: 10.6 miles
    Total Elevation Gain: 3,650 Feet
    Directions to Trailhead:  From the Townsend "Y" intersection, drive west for 5.6 miles on Laurel Creek Road towards Cades Cove. Parking lot for the Lead Cove Trail will be on your left.

    Back in October, we plotted to conquer what is considered by some to be the most difficult hike in the Smoky Mountains - Rocky Top, via Spence Field and Lead Cove Trail.  We planned to tackle this trail last year with Kara & Remington, but a few cold viruses and inclement weather kept us away.  On October 13th.. that all changed.

     

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Those familiar with our hiking posts know that we always start our mornings with a scrambled egg sandwich!

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Here's where you'll start!

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    We tackled this trail in mid-October, and there was plenty of color to be had.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Lots of yellows in the lower elevations.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    It was a beautiful day, with lots of gorgeous sunlight filtering through the trees.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    We passed a massive uprooted tree.  The size of the root ball was amazing.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Friend

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Starting to see a bit more color as we climbed.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    There are several trails in the Smokies with sunken trails like this - I think they are so beautiful.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    ...friend?  Well, okay, if you say so.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    This is.. kinda creepy.  Blair Witch, much?

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Finally.. Spence Field, our first stop.  A beautiful grassy field that is a perfect place to pause for lunch!

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    It was here that we lost Kara.  RIP, dear friend.

    Nah, just kidding.  We were all pretty trashed at this point, and quickly followed her lead by collapsing onto the soft, thick grass.  It felt SO good.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Not a bad place for lunch!

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Matt chillin' out.  Did I mention how comfortable the thick grass layer was?  Or maybe I was so tired that I falsely-equated its softness to that of a Tempur-pedic mattress.  Either way, it felt good, man.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    A few photos foolin' around in the sunlight.  Just to prove that we were there.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Yeah.. I'm lookin' all Queen of the World here.. but trust me, I was knackered.  K N A C K E R E D.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Unfortunately, our journey was not quite over.  We had resolved to go the extra 1.2 miles to Rocky Top, which is a climb of an additional 550 ft.  This photo was taken from Spence Field, looking up toward the Rocky Top clearing.

    Finally we were able to peel ourselves off of the grassy fields and start the absolutely murderous climb to our final destination.  I had to stop several times and the pain in my IT bands and hip flexors was reaching critical levels.

    You know what?  It was worth it:

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    From all sides, there was a different, spectacular view.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    My hubby, standing on ole Rocky Top.

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains
    Yep, we made it, and doing it with two of our best friends made it even better!

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    hike to spence field and rocky top in the smoky mountains

    After stumbling our way back down the mountain, we went over to Kara & Remington's house, showered, ordered pizza, and collapsed.  I'll be honest, this hike really did a number on me.  It took weeks for my IT bands to stop screaming in pain just from walking across the room.  It's been over 3 months, and we still haven't managed to get ourselves back to the trails.  I have my sights on an easy hike in the near future to test the integrity of my knees, and hopefully we can resume our semi-regular hikes very soon.  Regardless, I'm so proud of us for making it to the top.  Several years ago, before we began following a healthier lifestyle, I don't think we would have had the physical stamina to tackle the trip.  In a weird way, completing this hike was a reward for how far we've come!

     

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    About Erin K. Browne

    Erin K. Browne is an author of a cookbook (The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) and Dollywood guide (The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood, Simon & Schuster/Adams Media) She has over two decades experience with recipe development. Erin is a mom of two human babies and a sweet kitty named Biscuit Fingers ("Ketto"). She loves comfy clothes, sarcastic t-shirts, and reading thrillers. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

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    5. Remi

      January 21, 2013 at 10:15 am

      At least now...we can say we did it. As a collective unit. 
      Besides, how cool is it to be like "Rocky Top? Oh, yeah...I did that"

      Reply

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