Editing Coon Den Falls

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:Coon Den Falls.jpg
|Trail Highlight=A bonus falls hike when seeing Laurel Falls
|Trail Number=FS #37
|City=Hampton
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking, Hunting
|Trail Features=Waterfalls
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=1.5 hr
|Trail Distance=1.237 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.702 mi
|Trail Type=Segment
|High Point=3,436 ft
|Low Point=2.569 ft
|Elevation Gain=930 ft
|Elevation Loss=-62 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=East-to-West
|Parking location=36.2591, -82.11503
|Trailhead location=36.2591, -82.11503
}}
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

== Trail Overview ==
Short, steep hike to a small, but tall cascading waterfall in the Dennis Cove area

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Johnson City, TN
#Head south on Roan Street for 3.5 miles passing under I-26.
#Take left/east onto TN359/Okolona Road and travel 1.4 miles.
#Take right/south onto TN361 over to US19E for nine miles.  The road starts as Laurels Road, then Dry Creek Road and finally Gap Creek Road.
#Follow US321 including left turn into town of Hampton.
#Take right onto Dennis Cove Road.
# At 4.2 miles, the Appalachian Trail crosses the road with parking on left.  An option if making a full loop hike.  
# At 4.5 miles to Coon Den Falls trailhead is on right, with just space for a single vehicle.  Trail is marked as CNF 37 with blue blazes.

== Route Description==
[[File:Coon den falls profile.png|thumb|right|Profile chart]]
The falls are 0.5 mile up the moderately steep trail.  An in-and-out hike can be 1.0-1.6 miles round trip depending on where you had to park.

A 3.3 mile loop hike can be created by joining the A.T., blue blaze, and road walk.  Park at the A.T. lot. Head southbound on the A.T. uphill following the white blazes through older farm pasture, and into the forest. A couple of rock outcroppings provide views of the nearby mountains. At 1.7 miles, take left onto blue blazed Coon Den Falls Trail located in a saddle.  Travel downhill for 0.8 miles to reach the falls on right.  For this loop, once done admiring the falls, continue another 0.5 miles down to the roadway.  Hang a left and carefully walk 0.3 mile single file facing traffic back to parking.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles
!Coon Den Falls Loop Hike
!Elevation
|-
|0.0 miles
|Parking Area
|2,515 feet
|- 
|1.7 miles
|Upper Trailhead on A.T.
|3,140 feet
|- 
|2.5 miles
|Waterfall
|4,843 feet
|- 
|3.0 miles
|Back at road, road walk 0.3 mile
|2,580 feet
|- 
|3.3 miles
|Parking area
|2,515 feet
|- 

|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
A steep and rocky trail follows Coon Den Branch stream.  If you connect with the A.T., a short section is very steep.  In April 2016, the upper trail section was fairly overgrown.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No permit or fee.   

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->
Double waterfall day... head over to [[Laurel Fork Gorge|Laurel Falls]] for another experience.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
This path used to be part of the Appalachian Trail, until the latter was relocated.

Hike referenced in ATC TN-NC Guidebook under Side/Loop Hikes.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Dennis Cove A.T. parking area
|Marker Location=36.26407, -82.1231
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Very limited parking at lower trailhead
|Marker Location=36.2591,  -82.11503
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Coon Den Falls
|Marker Location=36.25333, -82.11888
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Upper trailhead off Appalachian Trail
|Marker Location=36.25433, -82.124083
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Laurel Fork Falls
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.27277, -82.135
}}