Rosebay Rhododendron along the trail connecting the Rainbow Falls and Grotto Falls trailheads.

I had never walked this connector trail before. I enjoyed it, although it followed the Roaring Fork Motor Trail too closely for my taste.

Grotto Falls. Roaring Fork was running well thanks to the rain that fell earlier in the morning and the day before.

Sights along the Trillium Gap Trail, uphill from Grotto Falls.

Trail markers at Trillium Gap.

he path north from Trillium Gap to the summit of Brushy Mountain was heavily eroded, and covered in a canopy of laurel branches.

The Catawba Rhododendron in the upper elevations appeared to be just starting to bloom. I didn’t see much of it, but what I did see was beautiful.

Looking south towards Mt. LeConte from near the top of Brushy Mtn.

LeConte Lodge may or may not have been visible through the trees up there. I wasn’t able to make it out.

I was very surprised to stumble upon a peacock blocking my path. That’s not an animal I’d expect to find in the Smokies. I suspect it wandered up from Gatlinburg.

The peacock definitely preferred the trail to the laurel hell along both sides of the path. It led me both up and down the trail, then hung around hoping to steal some of my lunch back at Trillium Gap.

The views from Brushy Mountain were breathtaking, even on a cloudy day.

Douglas Lake as seen from Brushy Mountain.

Pigeon Forge as seen from Brushy Mountain.

Catawba Rhododendron just starting to bloom.

As I prepared to begin my descent, the clouds started to darken. I anticipated getting wet on my way down, but the rain never materialized.

The peacock set a very slow pace, honking the entire time.

Downhill from Grotto Falls, not far from the trailhead, a black bear and two cubs made an appearance.