Both Gregory Bald and Russell Field are likely named after Russell Gregory, an early settler in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains. He and other cove residents used the fields atop the crest of the mountain to graze cattle during the spring and summer, while the fields in the cove were used for growing crops. Like most Cades Cove residents, Gregory supported the Union during the Civil War. However, in 1863, he was killed in an ambush by Confederate guerillas from North Carolina.
Although Russell Field is rapidly returning to its natural state, Gregory Bald is still maintained by park crews, and is one of the
best hikes in the park, especially in mid-June when the spectacular flame azaleas are in bloom.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
