I got to Deep Creek campground around 7:40 to get started. I have never started from that trailhead so the start was all new to me.
The rolling hills were a good warm up for the hard climb up to Clingmans Rd. My goal was to hit the summit by 4 hours and made it there at 3:40 just missing out on the ascent FKT. Mentally I thought I was half way through but didn't think about the climb up and over Mt Collins.
After Mt Collins the descent down Fork Ridge was pretty good and then the 10 miles on Deep Creek was uneventful, a lot of briars and mud. It would probably be better to do this route when it's not that warm due to the long stretches without water crossings.
I got back to the gate just over 8.5 hours. I carried my own nutrition which was clif bars, Spring gela, and packs of nerds. I think I drank around 6 or 7 soft flasks of water while out there. Always a good time in the Smokies!