CUMBERLAND TRAIL Three Gorges Segment

 
The Three Gorges Segment begins at Mobray Pike, descends into the gorges of Little and Big Soddy Creeks, and ascends to the top of the Cumberland Plateau at TN-111 (Section 1). Hikers can resupply here before descending into the gorges of Big and Little Possum Creeks, then ascending again to the top of the Plateau at Retro-Hughes Road (Section 2). From here the trail begins its third major descent of the Segment--into the gorge of Rock Creek--before ascending to the upper Leggett Road trailhead and the end of the Segment (Section 3). Six trailheads on the Segment provide something for everyone: a variety of one-way hikes ranging from 2.7 to 30.7 miles, a 3.3-mile loop hike, and a short paved trail for mobility-impaired individuals.

 

Three Gorges Sections - Maps and Trail Descriptions: Rock Gorge Possum Gorge Soddy Gorge

Photo submitted by Don Deakins This photo of Imodium Falls was taken on 12 January 2010 after a week of freezing weather. These falls are located on Possum Gorge Section of the Three Gorges Segment of Cumberland Trail about half way between Heiss Mountain Road Trailhead and Retro Hughes Trailhead.

Three Gorges Trail Mileage by Section
 

No.	Section Name	Southern Terminus	Northern Terminus	Miles Open		Additional Miles Needed		Total Miles at Completion
				Main Trail	Other Trails	Main Trail	Other Trails	Main Trail	Other Trails
1	Soddy Section	Mowbray Pike	Heiss Mtn RD	16.0	0.5	0	0	16.0	0.5
2	Possum Section	Heiss Mtn RD	Retro- Hughes RD	9.5	0.1	0	0	9.5	0.1
3	Rock Section	Retro- Hughes RD	Leggett RD	5.2	4.4	0	0	5.2	4.4
Total				30.7	5.0	0	0	30.7	5.0

Notes:
"Other trails" are connecting loop, spur, and access trails that are part of the Cumberland Trail.
"Miles Open" is the trail length measured on the ground by wheel, GPS, or other method.
"Additional Miles Needed" are estimates, not on-the-ground measurements.

 

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