Above, Eagle Creek just before it reaches the lake. Great Smokies campsite #90 and the Eagle Creek trail lies above the bank on the far side of the creek. We had a ball on this hot summer day sliding down the creek to the lake from just past this little cascade.

The Eagle Creek trail has a few bridges crossing back and forth over the creek down near the lake, but after heading upstream a mile or so, you're stuck (or blessed) with wading at each crossing. It's roughly 9.5 miles from the lake to the Spence Field shelter by the Appalachian trail. The good news? The trail is closed to horses above the intersection with the new section of the Lakeshore trail that heads east across the ridge to Hazel Creek.