Laurel Fork Gorge

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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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

1. From Elizabethton, go southeast on US 321 through Hampton for 1.3 miles.
2. Look for parking area on the right.

Follow blue blazed trail to AT.

Dennis Cove

1. From Elizabethton, go southeast on US 321 through Hampton for 0.8 miles.
2. Turn right (south) on FR 50 (Dennis Cove Road) and travel 3.9 curvy miles.
3. 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.

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 The entire Koonford Bridge was replaced in 2014.

Forest Service website information.

Photos

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  Laurel Fork Falls

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  Steps heading up!

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  Laurel Fork Falls

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  View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top

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  White Rhododendron bloom

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