Little Bottoms Trail

Little Bottoms is a 2.3-mile point-to-point connector between Cooper Road Trail and Hatcher Mountain Trail in the Abrams Creek backcountry. It works best as part of a longer route, not as a loop; unless you connect to other trails, plan to retrace it. Allow about an hour and 15 minutes for the trail itself. Reaching its western junction means walking up Cooper Road from Abrams Creek; descriptions put that approach between 0.9 and 1.3 miles, so confirm your route and parking before you go.

The old, narrow path is ungraded and rooted. From Cooper Road it rolls along a pine ridge, drops toward Abrams Creek, follows the drainage, then climbs back toward Hatcher Mountain. Near Hatcher, the last 0.4 mile gains about 200 feet. Accounts describe three small water crossings as rock hops; take care with the uneven footing, which can change with water level.

Near campsite 17, Little Bottoms follows Abrams Creek past an old homesite. The route is described as an old manway, a historic footpath, and some damage from the 2011 tornado remains visible near one end. Pick this connector for its backcountry creek and ridge walk, not a single waterfall or overlook payoff. Pets aren't allowed on Little Bottoms; service animals are permitted under park rules.