GSMNP Grotto Falls
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Trail Overview
Moderate hike up through classic GSMNP forest to a waterfall you can walk behind.
How to get there
From Gatlinburg, TN:
- At traffic light #8 on the Parkway, turn onto the Historic Nature Trail.
- Proceed into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Turn right onto Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
- Continue to Stop #5 and park.
Trailhead is marked and heads uphill.
Route Description
The Trillum Gap Trail heads up the side of Mount LeConte to the Grotto waterfall and beyond.
Mileage | Description |
---|---|
0.0 | Trailhead at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Stop #5. |
0.2 | Intersection of access path from parking lot with Trillum Gap Trail. |
0.23 | First creek crossing. |
0.65 | Second creek crossing. |
0.9 | Third creek crossing. |
1.1 | Fourth and last creek crossing heading up. |
1.3 | Grotto Falls |
Typical Conditions
National Park Service does trail maintenance primarily between May thru Nov, thus some blowdowns possible during the off-season. The well-worn dirt trail also included tree roots and large stone. Can be very muddy have significant rain.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No fee, but Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail does not allow RVs or trailers and is only open March 11 - Nov 30 during 2011.
After the Hike
Explore the other older cabins at the other stops along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on the way out.
Misc. Information
Per NPS policy, pets are not allowed on park trails.
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="35.68030" lon="-83.6245" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="715" height="350" scale="yes" controls="large" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/GSMNP_Grotto_Falls_Trail.kml (A) 35.68030,-83.46245 Trailhead at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (G) 36.502891,-82.468700 Intersection of parking access and Trillum Gap Trail File:GSMNP Trillum trail intersection.jpg (J) 36.502507,-82.482345 (J) 36.50051,-82.47105 Trail bridge (C) 36.49958,-82.47186 Fall Creek Falls </googlemap>
File:GSMNP Grotto Falls Trail profile.JPG
Photos
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- Placeholde2.jpg