Jeep Trail

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Trails of Big Canoe

Jeep Trail

Length: 2 miles, but this can be divided into segments to meet your desires.

Difficulty: Easy - unpaved road

Features: Walk, jog, or bicycle on an unpaved road that parallels Disharoon Creek through a broad, flat valley. If the grandchildren are along, let them wade in the clear waters of Disharoon Creek at the crossings. Don't forget to look for your favorite animal tracks in the muddy areas along the road.

Disharoon Cabin was originally located in the woods to the right of the entry road to Sconti Restaurant, off Wilderness Parkway. It was the core of an "added-on-to" house and typified the mountain homes that were on the property of Big Canoe at the time. It was dismantled, moved and rebuilt in Nature Valley. The mud chinking came from the creek near the existing site.

On the left of the Jeep Trail, where the Lower Falls Trail crosses, are rock mounds built by either pioneers or native Americans. The purpose or origin of these mounds is not known.

Also along the Jeep Trail is "The Diggings". These are probably the result of backbreaking labor with pick and shovel by some long-forgotten prospector, perhaps in search of gold. It is also possible that the Cherokee Indians who were native to the area created the diggings.

Toad's Glen near the Lower Falls is a great spot for lunch or a quiet carefree (if you remembered the mosquito repellant) dinner.

Just before you reach the Lower Falls, on the left is the replica of a moonshine still. These stills were the source of the original "Mountain Dew". Home brew created in stills like this gave warmth and cheer in the winter and was the base for many home remedies.

You will not have any trouble finding the Lower Falls when you get there. The sounds of the cascading water draw you in. Bring your camera. This has to be the most photographed sight in Big Canoe.

Between the Lower and Upper Falls is a large area covered in ferns in the warm seasons. By hiking the Jeep Trail you can see both the Upper and Lower Falls and the Disharoon Cabin.

Last but not least on the hit parade for the Jeep Trail is the Upper Falls. Much higher than the Lower Falls, but with a narrower path, the water over thousands of years has carved it own path through the solid rock. You will wonder how a spiral was carved in rock by running water and just how deep are those small pools where the water hits after its steep drop.

Getting There: You can access the Jeep Trail in three places:

Wilderness Parkway: Parking is available between the intersections of Valley View Drive and Wild Ginger. Look for the signs.

Mountain Mint: At the end of Mountain Mint

Yellow Root: Two parking spaces are available at the end of Yellow Root (off Indian Pike). A path leads from the parking spaces down to the Jeep Trail.

icon Brochure-Trails and Parks of Big Canoe (1.9 MB 2008-10-29 11:45:30)