Tri-Corner 35M Loop Run, Great Smoky Mtns, NC and TN

Elevation Gain: 11,141' ....... Elevation Range: 1613' - 6360'

July 6, 2023 - Tricorner Knob is a mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains with an elevation of 6,120 feet. The Appalachian Trail and Balsam Mountain Trail intersect near it's summit, making Tricorner Knob the great crossroads of the Eastern Smokies. Like much of the Smokies crest, Tricorner Knob is on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. As its name implies, the mountain is at the point where the Balsam Mountains intersect the crest of the Great Smokies, creating a triangular-shaped ridge. Three counties intersect at the summit of Tricorner, with Sevier County, Tennessee to the west, Haywood County, North Carolina to the northeast, and Swain County, North Carolina to the southeast. Tricorner is the ninth-highest mountain in Tennessee and the 27th-highest mountain in North Carolina. Tricorner Knob's remote situation in the dense Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest of the Eastern Smokies has left it largely untouched by human history.

This loop trail begins at the Big Creek Ranger Station at Waterville, North Carolina, just off Interstate 40, and passes a number of peaks and gaps, running clockwise, including Mount Sterling, Pretty Hollow Gap, Thermo Knob, Old Black, Deer Creek Gap, Yellow Creek Gap, Inadu Knob, Camel Hump Knob, Camel Gap, Ross Knob, Cosby Knob, Low Gap, and Sunup Knob.

It was a great run-up into the clouds. I very much enjoyed the sun's dawning rays of light streaming through the foggy mists as I gained the ridge. It was going to be a full day of easy running mostly above 5000 feet and I was still very enthusiastic to continue on with the subsequent 28 miles of the loop I had planned. The map below shows the route. The arrows on the map show the reverse of the clockwise direction I followed.

After leaving the tower, the trail follows contours for the next twelve miles, with gentle grades that were not tough to negotiate, however... the rocks and roots of the Smoky Mountains slowed me to an average 3 mph. Nearly every footfall had to be placed deliberately to avoid a misplaced step... which could be problematic being so remote and in that it was not likely anyone else might come along that trail for days. I practice discretion when I am so far from civilization - always - and just slow down.

I didn't see any wildlife. Bears are a rarity, but I am always hopeful of running into one - hopefully not a sow with youngsters. The forest primeval was ghostly quiet with only a whisper of breeze. Reaching the Appalachian Trail, I felt good - not tired, or sore - but good. It was about noon, with about six hours of running to reach 19.3 miles. Temps remained in the low 60's throughout the morning, and at times my hands actually felt chilly. It was great - for a sunny July day in the mountains.

The final 16 miles or so were essentially all downhill - at least on paper - but there are enough knobs to go up and over to keep the best of runners honest. Temps moved up over 70 degrees as I gave back elevation on the steep descent. Around three p.m., I was really sweating and beginning to feel the heat, walking more on the uphills. The downhills were fine, but often treacherous. My legs and feet held together so that I could carry through on the downhills to balance the time I lost on the ups. By the time I got back to the car, eleven plus hours had passed for an average of a little better than 3 mph with over 11,000 feet of some steep climbing and 11,000 feet of some very technical descents. I was tired. I earned it. No falls. No stumbles. No insect bites. No nettle itch. No injuries. Thanks to taking it very deliberately. After rinsing off the sweat and grime in Big Creek, I only had two-and-a-half hours more on the drive home. My kind of adventure. I believe I am ready for a good race in another month.