As the trail departs the road, it climbs gently for about 1.2 miles to where the trail meets the West Prong Trail. It runs up the east slope of Bote Mountain, connecting the various gaps that exist on the ridge. You’ll encounter the Finley Cane Trail next, which leads back down to the Laurel Creek Road.
A mile past the Finley Cane Trail, you’ll enter an area that was burned in 1987 when lightning started a fire and scorched most of the south side of the trail down to West Prong. The forest is recovering, but scars still remain. As you leave that area, views of Thunderhead and Defeat Ridge are off to the left.
The trail continues to remain dry along the crest of Bote Mountain as you keep climbing to the Anthony Creek Trail junction, a trail that descends steeply to the Cades Cove Picnic Area. The trail narrows at this point due to cattle being driven through this area in the summer where they grazed at Spence Field. With thousands of cattle going up and down the trail, the mud was worn down to the bedrock, thus leaving the trail that exists today. The trail is very rocky as it passes through the rhododendron tunnels.
After seven miles, you have reached what some consider the most beautiful spot on the crest of the Smokies. There are clear areas where sweeping views of the TN side and NC side of the Smokies are the reward for your climb.