We drove from Chicago to Elkmont (600 miles) with overnight stop near Knoxville.  Elkmont campground was built on the site of logging shanty town right on Little River. We set-up camp and  immediately started warm-up hike up Little River and down Jakes Creek. 11 km, 400 m total elevation gain.
Little River-Cucumber Gap-Jakes Creek loop from Elkmont
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On the way back, we visited remnants of the abandoned resort town kept for preservation (most structures were removed from the park after it was established in 1934). We later returned to the forest along Little River for 9:30 pm ☞ Synchronous Fireflies show. Impossible to photograph with our Lumix. There were many more fireflies than the 2000 visitors who came that night for the once a year event which lasts a couple of weeks or so.
