Backpacking Report: Cumberland Trail (Signal Point to North Suck Creek Bridge and Campsite)

My 14 year-old daughter and I traveled this past weekend to Signal Mountain to hike the southern terminus of the Cumberland Trail. Nearly a year had passed since we last backpacked, and we were ripe with anticipation. The drive was enjoyable enough, and as Interstate 24 eastbound dips into Georgia and back into Tennessee, before entering Chattanooga, my daughter pointed out a pyramid-shaped welcome center. I told her I was pretty sure the ancient Egyptians had built those many years ago.

 

We found there to be no parking spaces available at the trailhead upon our arrival. Fortunately, a space opened up while we were making our first pass through the lot, and so we didn't have to resort to Plan B, which I didn't have anyway. I checked all the signage in the park to verify overnight parking was allowed here. Though I saw nothing confirming this, I neither saw anything indicating otherwise and, based on a blog post I read covering this section of the trail, assumed there was no problem with overnight parking. Only later did I read on the Cumberland Trail Conference website, "there is no overnight parking at Signal Point; cars must be out by dark or they will be towed." Blissfully ignorant, we took in the views at the Signal Point overlook before starting down the trail on our 7-mile hike to the campground.

 

View from Signal Point Park

 

Southern Terminus

 

The first attraction listed on the menu board was Julia Falls, but we never heard or saw this feature. Turns out, this is a wet-weather falls, and because it has been unusually dry this September there was no waterfall. There is another, smaller waterfall along the trail at Middle Creek. An unofficial trail has been cut here leading to what I believe is known as Rainbow Falls, but it is a very steep and treacherous decent from the main trail above. A rope offers some assistance, and we decided to give it a try, as we could hear people below apparently having the time of their lives. But after my daughter's feet slipped out from underneath her about four steps into the descent, I decided we would just stay on the real trail and try our best to get to camp in one piece.

 

There is a considerable amount of rocky terrain to navigate before reaching Edwards Point, and this was keeping our pace slower than what I had estimated. Already late getting on the trail, thanks to a missed turn in construction-riddled Chattanooga, we now found ourselves standing in the middle of the woods looking for a trail marker. Maybe there was one right up ahead. Or maybe there wasn't. Eventually we had to turn around and retrace our steps until we found where we veered off course and try it again. I figured we were about an hour behind schedule.

 

Tennessee River Gorge

 

We passed Lockhart Arch and some rather large rock shelves before pulling into Edwards Point. Only 4.1 miles to go. This would ordinarily be a great spot to stop for a snack, but not today, not for us. We were late, and so the packs didn't even come off our backs. Instead, we steamed ahead. Thankfully, the trail became easier - now we encountered rocks mainly just at the bottom of the creek beds we crossed - though some fairly steep climbs and descents remained along the way. There were a few more overlooks to take in, as well as a couple of bridge crossings.

 

The view from Edwards Point

 

 

There are many rock shelves and outcroppings to see here

 

One of three bridge crossings

 

I knew my daughter was tired because she was no longer complaining about being tired. I was ready to find camp, too. Not so much because of fatigue, but because daylight was soon to become scarce. We passed a small, rocky overlook where someone had made camp recently, and I made a mental note of it in case we had to suspend our hike because of darkness. When we came upon Mushroom Rock, also known as Umbrella Rock, I knew we had it made, as the camp was now only 0.4 miles away, via a series of switchbacks, at the bottom of the gorge.

 

Mushroom Rock

 

We spotted four campsites at the North Suck Creek campground and no other campers. We took the site in which there were 2x4 sticks of lumber arranged in such a way to use as a table. The 2x4s were evidently there for the bridge repair which was either complete or in process, I couldn't tell for sure. Either way, a table in this environment is a cherished luxury, the likes of which I may never come across again. And so the race was on to complete everything which needed to be done before nightfall. All I can say is, thank goodness for flashlights.

 

My daughter hit the sack early, as I expected. I remained by the fire in my camp chair and listened to the frogs and the sound of the creek until I was ready for bed. We ate our breakfast and checked out the bridge and the creek before strapping on our packs to make the return trip to Signal Point.

 

Bridge across North Suck Creek at Campsite

 

North Suck Creek Bridge

 

North Suck Creek

 

Our path was the same as the day before. Only my feet, ankles, legs, and knees weren't the same as the day before. We took our packs off to take a break and have a snack on this second day. We passed some trail runners and numerous day hikers. We heard the frolicking voices again at Rainbow Falls but remained focused on the task at hand. Once past all the rockhopping, it's a short distance to the series of staircases which lead up to Signal Point Park.

 

 

 

We came off the trail and walked straight up to my vehicle, which was right where I had parked it one day earlier. Of course at the time I wouldn't have expected anything else. I'm just glad I didn't read the Cumberland Trail Conference warning about cars being towed before we took this excursion. But for the record, there is a Plan B available - an overnight lot is located a short distance away. This was a fantastic hike with many sights to behold. The trail took us about four hours each way, and I would consider it to be somewhat difficult due to the terrain and the sometimes steep ascents and descents. I am certain our next backpacking trip will be a little easier than this one.

 

Happy Trails!