Editing Laurel Fork Gorge

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{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = Laurelforkfalls2.jpg
                     | City = Hampton
                     | State = Tennessee
                     | Marking = AT White Rectangle
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Waterfall}} {{Dogs}}
                     | Difficulty Rating = Moderate
                     | Hike Time = 4
                     | Distance = 7.4 
                     | Elevation Gain = ~700
                     | High Point = 2140
                     | Latitude = 36.27277
                     | Longitude = -82.135
                     | Medical = Elizabethton, TN
}}
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== 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.  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 Cover, 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.

== 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. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.275" lon="-82.148" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Hampton_Blueline_Trail_501.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/High_Water_Trail.kml

(C) 36.27277,-82.135
Laurel Fork Falls
(G) 36.264067, -82.1231
Trailhead - Dennis Cove

(G) 36.28532,-82.15212
Trailhead - Hampton
[[Image:Laurel Fork Trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]
(G) 36.28211,-82.14852
Entering Pond Mtn Wilderness
[[Image:Laurel_Fork_Gorge_Pond_Mtn_Wilderness.JPG|150px]]
(G) 36.28151,-82.14323
Intersection with AT
[[Image:AT Laurel Fork Gorge sign.JPG|150px]]

(F) 36.278642,-82.136229
Laurel Fork Shelter
(G) 36.28298,-82.14083
Trail split - stay right

(L) 
Trail Bridge

</googlemap>

== 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 
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</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]]