Smokey Mountain Trail - BOH

[vaJLUR]

I was reading the reviews on the BOH app, it sounds like there is a easy trail for stock, and steeper one for challenge. One dude commented that he made it up without much fuss on stock gladiator, another dude said he bottomed out with 3.5 inch lift and 37. go figure

There is ONE spot in the entire park our JT friend "bottomed out", and it was just his hitch skid. lol.

This is a very stock friendly trail system.

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[NJRadioGuy]

I was reading the reviews on the BOH app, it sounds like there is a easy trail for stock, and steeper one for challenge. One dude commented that he made it up without much fuss on stock gladiator, another dude said he bottomed out with 3.5 inch lift and 37. go figure

Driver skill, and in some cases, luck can really make all the difference, what can I say.

I don't know what my number was but I ran it on April 7th, 2026.

 

[Martial Fartist]

Thanks everyone. Not worried about the badge being backordered. (As long as I eventually get one)

I hope to be up there in mid July. I’ll have to post when I have an exact date to see if anyone wants to come along!

 

[embedded rock]

YouTube has a lot of videos on the Smokey Mountain Trail. I was watching them the other night.
Additionally, Trails Offroad has it listed as Smokey Mountain Road. Trails Offroad has a lot of info on it.

Just drove this two days ago from Escalate to Big Water. Only saw two other vehicles--no Jeeps. It's a very nice drive as it's scenic. Much to offer for terrain despite being graded. Climbs, descents, sand, river/creek crossings. There a spot marked as coal seam fires, but no smoke emitting from the ground.

 

[Martial Fartist]

Just drove this two days ago from Escalate to Big Water. Only saw two other vehicles--no Jeeps. It's a very nice drive as it's scenic. Much to offer for terrain despite being graded. Climbs, descents, sand, river/creek crossings. There a spot marked as coal seam fires, but no smoke emitting from the ground.

Wrong trail. Can’t wait to get out to Utah one day though. Thanks.

 

[embedded rock]

Wrong trail. Can’t wait to get out to Utah one day though. Thanks.

I'm aware it's a different road, but it was mentioned.

Hope you can get to Utah sooner than later

 

[WannFly]

Thanks everyone. Not worried about the badge being backordered. (As long as I eventually get one)

I hope to be up there in mid July. I’ll have to post when I have an exact date to see if anyone wants to come along!

if its 11-12 July, I am in

 

[Martial Fartist]

Looks like I should be out there on 7/20.

 

[WannFly]

Looks like I should be out there on 7/20.

I am out of town that weekend . well post some pictures

 

[Trails]

We ran the Smoky Mountain Trail in Cosby, TN a few days ago. The owner, Dan, was very thorough in his explanation of the trail system. It's a nice layout. We ran it on our 392 JLUR with 37s and 3" lift. Ground clearance is not much of an issue on this BOH trail. Stock Jeeps can do it. Traction can be an issue if it's wet. Recommend at least a rear locker. We wouldn't run it after a lot of rain. In fact, Dan shuts it down if it's too wet. He doesn't want it torn up. Always call first. The possible pin striping I asked about earlier in this topic was not an issue at all. Maybe branches were recently cut back. There were some tough spots that you could crush the rig against a tree if you turn too sharp ... or not shrp enough. But, no pin striping. There were spme steep sections. It was not infrequent to see 26 to 27 degrees pitch, and one spot hit 30 degrees briefly. Great addition to the BOH trail list. Only about 45 minutes from Gatlinburg.

 

[wibornz]

I ran it about 6 weeks ago. Mostly easy but a couple of brief off-camber sections next to steep drop-offs. Very tight; you'll get pinstripes and lots of climbs and descents. 3-4 rating. Badges are back-ordered, unfortunately. As mentioned, it is private property and costs $40 (cash-only) to ride, plus $50 per night to camp (more on top of the mountain, but it's worth it). Owner is super-nice.

I wonder if Jeep gets a kick back from private parks that get a badge trail in them?

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I wonder if Jeep gets a kick back from private parks that get a badge trail in them?

Good question, but I doubt it. When I was there he said that despite his handful of requests to Stellantis for his property to be in the BoH program he never heard a peep from them. But his customers kept suggesting this for the program and then they came to him. At least that's how he described it to me.

While I love earning badges, I almost feel like the program is being a bit diminished by adding so many new trails in the last while. I've only got 22 badges, but many of them are just so-so trails, nothing really iconic or that defines a region. Silver Lake should be a full badge trail, not a digital (I'd make a trip back out specifically for that if it was), since it's unique and absolutely iconic. But Gulches? Turkey Bay? This one? Maybe (finally) retire Peter's Mill Run—zzzzzzzzzz— and swap it out with either the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail, Union Springs Rd., or Potts Mountain Jeep Trail instead.

 

[wibornz]

Good question, but I doubt it. When I was there he said that despite his handful of requests to Stellantis for his property to be in the BoH program he never heard a peep from them. But his customers kept suggesting this for the program and then they came to him. At least that's how he described it to me.

While I love earning badges, I almost feel like the program is being a bit diminished by adding so many new trails in the last while. I've only got 22 badges, but many of them are just so-so trails, nothing really iconic or that defines a region. Silver Lake should be a full badge trail, not a digital (I'd make a trip back out specifically for that if it was), since it's unique and absolutely iconic. But Gulches? Turkey Bay? This one? Maybe (finally) retire Peter's Mill Run—zzzzzzzzzz— and swap it out with either the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail, Union Springs Rd., or Potts Mountain Jeep Trail instead.

I agree, less trails would be better. Make the trails a trail that is iconic or at least worthy of running it. Not saying the trail has to be hard, just make it so you go wow this trail has a beautiful view or hey they trail has some great obstacles, or at least something of value that is worth seeing or doing. I have 70 badges now.

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I agree, less trails would be better. Make the trails a trail that is iconic or at least worthy of running it. Not saying the trail has to be hard, just make it so you go wow this trail has a beautiful view or hey they trail has some great obstacles, or at least something of value that is worth seeing or doing. I have 70 badges now.

I agree. In my mind, a BoH trail has to be iconic, representative of the region, and a reason to travel great distances to run it, not just for the plastic. I also believe badge trails should be realistically doable by an average-skilled driver any near-stock Jeep without crazy mods. No way my 35s and 2" lift is making it through Pritchett Canyon or Holy Cross (and probably a few others).

 

[Trails]

I agree. In my mind, a BoH trail has to be iconic, representative of the region, and a reason to travel great distances to run it, not just for the plastic. I also believe badge trails should be realistically doable by an average-skilled driver any near-stock Jeep without crazy mods. No way my 35s and 2" lift is making it through Pritchett Canyon or Holy Cross (and probably a few others).

I agree with that. A BoH trail should be doable by something Jeep sells off the lot. Unless and until Jeep starts selling Jeeps that can do Pritchett Canyon, trails like Pritchett Canyon really should not be on the BoH list. This doesn't mean that every Jeep they sell has to be capable of doing Pritchett. It means tnat they should have at least "some" (well-optioned) Jeeps they sell that are capable of doing Pritchett. Heck, even Bronco has a model with 37s they sell off the lot. Jeeps from a dealer max out at 35s with 1.5" (or 2" ?) factory lift. Trails like Pritchett are not "Jeep" BoH . They are Rock Krawler / Next Venture / Steer Smarts / King / Currie , etc. BoH trails

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