Editing Laurel Fork Gorge

<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. 

-->{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG
 | Trail Number = 501
 | Park = Pond Mountain Wilderness Area
 | City = Hampton
 | State = Tennessee
 | Marking = Blue/AT White
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Waterfall}} {{Dogs}} 
 | Difficulty Rating = Medium
 | Hike Time = 4 Hours
 | Round Trip Distance = 5.5 Miles
 | Trail Distance = 2.57 Miles
 | Trail Type = In-and-Out
 | Elevation Gain = 1,990 Ft
 | Elevation Loss = -1,990 Ft
 | High Point = 2,557 Ft
 | Parking coords = 36.2855558,-82.1521273
 | Trailhead coords = 36.2855558,-82.1521273
 | Medical = Elizabethton, TN
}}<!-- 

End Infobox template table-->{{Trail page needs
 | Hide needs = 
 | KML = 
 | Updated KML = 
 | Detail route description = Yes
 | Photos = Yes
 | Winter photos = Yes
 | Remove prefix = 
 | Update infobox = 
 | Infobox data update = 
 | Trail pins = 
 | Other = 
 | Comment = Convert to hike plan and reference trail pages since it uses multiple trails?
 | Date reviewed = 1/10/2016
}}<!-- 

Start of Main Page -->
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
The [[Dennis Cove Rd to Wilbur Dam Rd|Appalachian Trail]] travels through Laurel Fork Gorge, rarely straying far from the creek. Probably the most popular hiking destination for TEHCC is Laurel Fork Falls, a 50' cascading waterfall. There are AT access points at both the NW end of the gorge (Hampton) and SE (Dennis Cove).

Swimming is not allowed at the falls because of dangerous undertow in the pool. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DIED HERE INCLUDING THOSE COMING TO HELP. They were not being seemingly careless, not drinking, not jumping from the top, simply swimming near the falls. There is an underwater rock shelf in the deep pool below the falls. The strong current will take swimmers underwater and keep them trapped below the shelf. Therefore, wading downstream of the falls is suggested for enjoyment.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<u>Hampton</u> 
# From Elizabethton, go southeast on US 321 through Hampton for 1.3 miles.
# Look for parking area on the right.
Follow blue blazed trail to AT.

<u>Dennis Cove</u>
#From Elizabethton, go southeast on US 321 through Hampton for 0.8 miles.
#Turn right (south) on FR 50 (Dennis Cove Road) and travel 3.9 curvy miles.
#Look for AT access parking area on your left.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The listed mileage and elevation change are for complete end-to-end and return hike.  More typically the day hikes are an out-and-back from either access point.  From Hampton, it's a 5.5 mile round trip.  From Dennis Cove, it's about 2.6 miles round trip.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Well maintained Appalachian Trail, including blue blazed side trail from Hampton.  Sometimes during spring, the upper trail may be required due to flooding.

== Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Group size is limited to 10 people in the Pond Mountain Wilderness Area.  Also dogs must be on leashes.

Overnight parking is not recommended at Hampton trailhead due to occasional vandalism to break into vehicles to steal items.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->


== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
A bit of history...<br>
The Koonford Bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1998.  Its center span was replaced few weeks later in one day by many volunteers. [http://tehcc.org/1999/01/koonford-bridge-in-laurel-fork-gorge-1998/ story link]  Two further wilderness trail bridges destroyed in the same flood were replaced before the thru-hikers arrived that year. And the rock steps by the falls were also created in 1998 through concerted effort. [http://tehcc.org/1998/09/laurel-fork-gorge-rock-steps-1998/ story link2]


Forest Service [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=35016&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110160000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003714&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Laurel+Fork+Falls+Hike website] information.

== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map type="terrain" zoom="14" width="auto" height="750" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Hampton_Blueline_Trail_501.kml,
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/High_Water_Trail.kml">

36.27277,-82.135~Laurel Fork Falls~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG|150px]]~MarkerC.png
36.264067, -82.1231~Trailhead - Dennis Cove~ ~MarkerA.png
36.28532,-82.15212~Trailhead - Hampton~[[Image:Laurel Fork Trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]~MarkerA.png
36.28211,-82.14852~Entering Pond Mtn Wilderness~[[Image:Laurel_Fork_Gorge_Pond_Mtn_Wilderness.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
36.28151,-82.14323~Intersection with AT~[[Image:AT Laurel Fork Gorge sign.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
36.28298,-82.14083~Trail Bridge #1~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge1.JPG|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.281083,-82.137539~Trail Bridge #2~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge2.JPG|150px]]~MarkerL.png
36.270686,-82.130281~Koonford Bridge~ ~MarkerL.png
36.278642,-82.136229~[[Shelter:Laurel Fork|Laurel Fork Shelter]]~[[Image:Laurel Fork Shelter.JPG|150px]]~MarkerF.png
36.273014,-82.132099~Intersection AT/High Water Trail~[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
36.278756,-82.137253~Intersection AT/High Water Trail~[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection2.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:PotatoTop.jpg|View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top 
Image:White_Rhododendron_Bloom.JPG|White Rhododendron bloom
Image:Laurelforkfalls2.jpg|Laurel Fork Falls
Image:Laurel Fork Gorge steps.JPG|Steps heading up!
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>

<!-- Categories - Keep in mind the titles are case sensitive. Check here ClubWIKI:Categorization_Plan for our list of categories that we are using -->
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Appalachian Trail]]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Trail
+<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.
-|Banner Image=File:Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG
-|Trail Number=501
-|City=Hampton
-|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
-|Wilderness Area=Pond Mountain Wilderness Area
-|Trail Marking=Blue/AT White
-|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Hunting
-|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers
-|Difficulty Rating=Medium
-|Hike Time=4 Hours
-|Trail Distance=2.57 mi
-|Round Trip Distance=5.5 mi
-|Trail Type=In-and-Out
-|High Point=2,315 Ft
-|Low Point=1,853 ft
-|Elevation Gain=624 Ft
-|Elevation Loss=164 Ft
-|Elevation Change Direction=North-to-South
-|Parking location=36.28556, -82.15213
-|Trailhead location=36.28556, -82.15213
-}}
-{{Trail Map}}
-__TOC__
+-->{{Infobox Trail
+ | Image Name = Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG
+ | Trail Number = 501
+ | Park = Pond Mountain Wilderness Area
+ | City = Hampton
+ | State = Tennessee
+ | Marking = Blue/AT White
+ | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Waterfall}} {{Dogs}}
+ | Difficulty Rating = Medium
+ | Hike Time = 4 Hours
+ | Round Trip Distance = 5.5 Miles
+ | Trail Distance = 2.57 Miles
+ | Trail Type = In-and-Out
+ | Elevation Gain = 1,990 Ft
+ | Elevation Loss = -1,990 Ft
+ | High Point = 2,557 Ft
+ | Parking coords = 36.2855558,-82.1521273
+ | Trailhead coords = 36.2855558,-82.1521273
+ | Medical = Elizabethton, TN
+}}<!--
+End Infobox template table-->{{Trail page needs
+ | Hide needs =
+ | KML =
+ | Updated KML =
+ | Detail route description = Yes
+ | Photos = Yes
+ | Winter photos = Yes
+ | Remove prefix =
+ | Update infobox =
+ | Infobox data update =
+ | Trail pins =
+ | Other =
+ | Comment = Convert to hike plan and reference trail pages since it uses multiple trails?
+ | Date reviewed = 1/10/2016
+}}<!--
+Start of Main Page -->
 == Trail Overview ==
 <!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
@@ Line 52: / Line 67: @@
 == Fees, Permits, etc. ==
 <!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
-'''Group size is limited to 10 people in the Pond Mountain Wilderness Area.'''  Also dogs must be on leashes.
+Group size is limited to 10 people in the Pond Mountain Wilderness Area.  Also dogs must be on leashes.
 Overnight parking is not recommended at Hampton trailhead due to occasional vandalism to break into vehicles to steal items.
@@ Line 63: / Line 78: @@
 <!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
 A bit of history...<br>
-The Koonford Bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1998.  Its center span was replaced few weeks later in one day by many volunteers. [http://tehcc.org/1999/01/koonford-bridge-in-laurel-fork-gorge-1998/ story link]  Two further wilderness trail bridges destroyed in the same flood were replaced before the thru-hikers arrived that year. And the rock steps by the falls were also created in 1998 through concerted effort. [http://tehcc.org/1998/09/laurel-fork-gorge-rock-steps-1998/ story link2]  The entire Koonford Bridge was replaced in 2014.
+The Koonford Bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1998.  Its center span was replaced few weeks later in one day by many volunteers. [http://tehcc.org/1999/01/koonford-bridge-in-laurel-fork-gorge-1998/ story link]  Two further wilderness trail bridges destroyed in the same flood were replaced before the thru-hikers arrived that year. And the rock steps by the falls were also created in 1998 through concerted effort. [http://tehcc.org/1998/09/laurel-fork-gorge-rock-steps-1998/ story link2]
-Forest Service [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recarea/?recid=35016 website] information.
+Forest Service [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=35016&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110160000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003714&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Laurel+Fork+Falls+Hike website] information.
+== Maps ==
+<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
+<display_map type="terrain" zoom="14" width="auto" height="750" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Hampton_Blueline_Trail_501.kml,
+http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/High_Water_Trail.kml">
+.27277,-82.135~Laurel Fork Falls~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG|150px]]~MarkerC.png
+.264067, -82.1231~Trailhead - Dennis Cove~ ~MarkerA.png
+.28532,-82.15212~Trailhead - Hampton~[[Image:Laurel Fork Trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]~MarkerA.png
+.28211,-82.14852~Entering Pond Mtn Wilderness~[[Image:Laurel_Fork_Gorge_Pond_Mtn_Wilderness.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
+.28151,-82.14323~Intersection with AT~[[Image:AT Laurel Fork Gorge sign.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
+.28298,-82.14083~Trail Bridge #1~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge1.JPG|150px]]~MarkerL.png
+.281083,-82.137539~Trail Bridge #2~[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge2.JPG|150px]]~MarkerL.png
+.270686,-82.130281~Koonford Bridge~ ~MarkerL.png
+.278642,-82.136229~[[Shelter:Laurel Fork|Laurel Fork Shelter]]~[[Image:Laurel Fork Shelter.JPG|150px]]~MarkerF.png
+.273014,-82.132099~Intersection AT/High Water Trail~[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
+.278756,-82.137253~Intersection AT/High Water Trail~[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection2.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png
+</display_map>
 == Photos ==
-{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
+<gallery>
+<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
+<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
+Image:PotatoTop.jpg|View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top
+Image:White_Rhododendron_Bloom.JPG|White Rhododendron bloom
+Image:Laurelforkfalls2.jpg|Laurel Fork Falls
+Image:Laurel Fork Gorge steps.JPG|Steps heading up!
+<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
+</gallery>
+<!-- Categories - Keep in mind the titles are case sensitive. Check here ClubWIKI:Categorization_Plan for our list of categories that we are using -->
+[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Appalachian Trail]]