Laurel Fork Gorge: Difference between revisions
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{{Trail | {{Trail | ||
|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 Marking=Blue/AT White | ||
|Trail Use=Hiking | |Trail Use=Hiking | ||
|Trail Features=Vistas | |Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers | ||
|Difficulty Rating=Medium | |Difficulty Rating=Medium | ||
|Hike Time=4 Hours | |Hike Time=4 Hours | ||
| Line 12: | Line 17: | ||
|Elevation Gain=624 Ft | |Elevation Gain=624 Ft | ||
|Elevation Loss=164 Ft | |Elevation Loss=164 Ft | ||
|Parking location=36. | |Elevation Change Direction=North-to-South | ||
|Trailhead location=36. | |Parking location=36.28556, -82.15213 | ||
|Trailhead location=36.28556, -82.15213 | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{Trail Map}} | {{Trail Map}} | ||
| Line 64: | Line 70: | ||
== Photos == | == Photos == | ||
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}} | {{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
{{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}} | {{Map Marker | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Trailhead - Dennis Cove | |Icon Type=Waterfall | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Trailhead - Hampton|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Trailhead sign.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.28532,-82.15212}} | |Marker Title=Laurel Fork Falls | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Entering Pond Mtn Wilderness|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel_Fork_Gorge_Pond_Mtn_Wilderness.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.28211,-82.14852}} | |Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG|150px]] | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Intersection with AT|Marker Description=[[Image:AT Laurel Fork Gorge sign.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.28151,-82.14323}} | |Marker Location=36.27277,-82.135 | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail bridge|Marker Title=Trail Bridge #1|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge1.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.28298,-82.14083}} | }} | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail bridge|Marker Title=Trail Bridge #2|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge2.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.281083,-82.137539}} | {{Map Marker | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail bridge|Marker Title=Koonford Bridge | |Icon Type=Parking | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Shelter|Marker Title=[[Shelter:Laurel Fork|Laurel Fork Shelter]]|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Shelter.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.278642,-82.136229}} | |Marker Title=Trailhead - Dennis Cove | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Intersection AT/High Water Trail|Marker Description=[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.273014,-82.132099}} | |Marker Location=36.264067, -82.1231 | ||
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Intersection AT/High Water Trail|Marker Description=[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection2.JPG|150px]]|Marker Location=36.278756,-82.137253}} | }} | ||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Parking | |||
|Marker Title=Trailhead - Hampton | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Trailhead sign.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.28532,-82.15212 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Point of interest | |||
|Marker Title=Entering Pond Mtn Wilderness | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel_Fork_Gorge_Pond_Mtn_Wilderness.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.28211,-82.14852 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Point of interest | |||
|Marker Title=Intersection with AT | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:AT Laurel Fork Gorge sign.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.28151,-82.14323 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Trail bridge | |||
|Marker Title=Trail Bridge #1 | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge1.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.28298,-82.14083 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Trail bridge | |||
|Marker Title=Trail Bridge #2 | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Gorge bridge2.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.281083,-82.137539 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Trail bridge | |||
|Marker Title=Koonford Bridge | |||
|Marker Location=36.270686,-82.130281 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Shelter | |||
|Marker Title=[[Shelter:Laurel Fork|Laurel Fork Shelter]] | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:Laurel Fork Shelter.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.278642,-82.136229 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Point of interest | |||
|Marker Title=Intersection AT/High Water Trail | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.273014,-82.132099 | |||
}} | |||
{{Map Marker | |||
|Icon Type=Point of interest | |||
|Marker Title=Intersection AT/High Water Trail | |||
|Marker Description=[[Image:AT - High Water Trail intersection2.JPG|150px]] | |||
|Marker Location=36.278756,-82.137253 | |||
}} | |||
Revision as of 09:15, 29 December 2018
| Laurel Fork Gorge (log in to submit report) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Trail Number | 501 |
| Land Owner | Cherokee National Forest |
| Wilderness Area | Pond Mountain Wilderness Area |
| Located | Hampton, Tennessee |
| Trail Marking | Blue/AT White |
| Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail |
|
| FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail |
|
| Difficulty Rating | Medium |
| Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. | 4 Hours0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> round trip |
| Distance: | 2.57 mi4.136 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 5.5 mi8.851 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 | 1,853 ft617.667 Yards <br />564.794 Meters <br /> / 2,315 Ft771.667 Yards <br />705.612 Meters <br /> |
| Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. | 624 Ft190.195 Meters <br /> / (164 Ft49.987 Meters <br />) – North-to-South |
| Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days | 4 logged hikes (0 recent) |
| NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list | 4 trails / 38.0 mi of trail |
| Parking | 36° 17' 8.02" N, 82° 9' 7.67" W Map |
| Trailhead | 36° 17' 8.02" N, 82° 9' 7.67" W Map |
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| Show In Google Maps | |
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Trail Overview
The 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
Hampton
- 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.
Dennis Cove
- 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
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
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.
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
Misc. Information
A bit of history...
The Koonford Bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1998. Its center span was replaced few weeks later in one day by many volunteers. 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. story link2
Forest Service website information.
Photos
Laurel Fork Falls
Steps heading up!
Laurel Fork Falls
View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top
White Rhododendron bloom
