Blog

Weekend Gem-Cooper Road and Rabbit Loop

Posted by eriksoltan on Mar 16, 2025 in Weekend Gem | No Comments

Abrams Creek

As spring approaches, we headed out on this loop in the Cades Cove area of the Smokies. Get to the TH and park on the side of the road where an unnamed road leads you down into the woods where you finally see a Park sign telling you you are on the Goldmine Trail. Keep on rocking until you get to the Cooper Road TR and stay straight on it. This way over into Cades Cove rolls up and down periodically making your way into the lip of the iconic Cove. When you do, check over your left shoulder for Rich Mtn’s prominent peak rising above the valley. Now coast on down to the Wet Bottom TR and make a right heading to Abrams Creek. The way over to Rabbit Creek is kinda strange from all the user trails here. Just follow Abrams to the right when you hit it and connect to a bridge that takes your dry feet and you to the right of the parking area and back into the woods. Look for an odd sign saying Rabbit Creek and cross the Creek here and up a wet and rocky road bed heading uphill. Climb out of Abrams and coast for a while before dropping down to Rabbit. When you hear the Creek, your at camp. There is a nice spot here back a ways up the hill past the bear lines or one just past that above the Creek that’s real secluded, take your pick? Soak in the scene as night falls and the stars shine in this rad camp.

Cruise Cooper Road Trail

Cades Cove

After a nice nights sleep get up and cross Rabbit heading up to Hannah Mountain. This is important trail that connects the Tennessee trail system and North Carolina’s goodness. Stay on Rabbit on down to Abrams Creek where the flowers were just started blooming for us. Cross the Creek and cruise up to the road where the now debunked ranger station is and hang a right towards the campground. Stay on Cooper Road as it makes its way back to Gold Mine TR where you hang a left. The best part of these old road beds in the Smokies is the ability to zone out and take in the moment easier without worrying about a rocky narrow tread. Soak in the wild into you get back to your car and roll out in style!