Gentry Creek Falls

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Gentry Creek Falls

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GentryCreek20070811-02.jpg
Highlight Hike with 13-14 water crossings to double drop waterfall
Trail Number USFS Trail #51
Land Owner Cherokee National Forest
Located Mountain City, Tennessee
Trail Marking Blue
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingCampingHunting

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

WaterfallsVistas

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 3.5 hrs0.219 Days <br />210 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 2.3 mi3.701 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 4.6 mi7.403 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type In-and-Out
Low / High Point 2,799 ft933 Yards <br />853.135 Meters <br />4,075 ft1,358.333 Yards <br />1,242.06 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 1,355 ft413.004 Meters <br /> / (-91 ft-27.737 Meters <br />) – South-to-North
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 1 trails / 6.8 mi of trail
Parking 36° 32' 33.40" N, 81° 44' 4.81" W Map
Trailhead 36° 32' 33.40" N, 81° 44' 4.81" W Map
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Trail Overview

Hike with 13-14 water crossings to double drop waterfall.

How To Get There

From Kingsport, TN:

  1. Take I-81 north to Exit 19 for US-58 towards Damascus.
  2. Continue through Damascus.
  3. Take right (south) when VA-91 and US-58 split.
  4. Proceed back into Tennessee to Laurel Bloomery.

From Mountain City, TN:

  1. Proceed north on TN 91 for 7.7 miles to Laurel Bloomery.

Then for both routes:

  1. Turn at the A-Z Market onto Gentry Creek Road (sign to Pleasant Home Church) and proceed 0.8 miles.
  2. Make right turn onto Star Gap Road.
  3. Then quickly left again ton continue on Gentry Creek Road, which become gravel after 1.1 miles.
  4. Continue on rough gravel road for 1.4 miles and park at road end.

Point of information is that the first cul-de-sac parking lot reached on the gravel road is for Rogers Ridge Horse Trail. Veer to the right to continue back to the dead end cul-de-sac with a trail marker for Gentry Creek Falls.

Route Description

Profile chart

Hikers cross mound barriers. The trail is very gentle rise up a shaded valley with the expected numerous creek crossings using stepping stones. Gentry Creek is pretty with small rapids. The two tiered waterfall is an enjoyable vista for lunch. Note: The upper falls can be reached by a very narrow path on the right side of the lower falls - but dangerous!

Typical Conditions

Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passible. Recent (2014) work by the Cherokee National Forest has resulted in stepping stones at all the creek crossings. Difficulty of creek crossings depends on season and whether recent rains. The crossings are all quite navigable, though hiking poles won't hurt. Lots of mosquitos during summer.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. Office number is (423) 735-1500. No fee to hike the trail, but state fishing regulations apply to Gentry Creek.

Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.

Miscellaneous Information

Gentry Creek Falls are named after Joseph Gentry that bought 500 acres along the creek in May of 1802.

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