This hike is no joke. A little over 2 miles to the junction with North Loop, but you gain about 1500 feet in elevation.
Just take your time and you'll reach the junction before you know it. If you have extra energy, you can hike another half mile to Cave Spring. Not really much to see (glad I didn't run into poop like another reviewer).
I had never done this hike before, but I'm supposed to hit Charleston Peak this weekend, so I wanted to at least get an idea of how my day will start. I reached the junction in 70 minutes, which is probably slow but not entirely terrible.
Just get out there and enjoy the natures.