GSMNP Ramsey Cascades: Difference between revisions
(→Route Description: Added elevation to table) |
(→How to get there: first typo, then added link to Porter Creek trail) |
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#Turn right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Greenbrier entrance. | #Turn right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Greenbrier entrance. | ||
#Travel just over four miles on road which changes from paved to gravel. | #Travel just over four miles on road which changes from paved to gravel. | ||
#Turn left to cross road | #Turn left to cross road bridge. NOTE: There is now a small directional sign here. Continuing straight arrives at [GSMNP Porter Creek] trailhead. | ||
#Travel less than mile to parking area | #Travel less than mile to parking area | ||
Trailhead is past large boulders and locked gate. | Trailhead is past large boulders and locked gate. |
Revision as of 05:27, 25 March 2014
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Trail Overview
A challenging hike up through classic GSMNP forest to a cascading waterfall. Some massive old growth trees can also be seen.
How to get there
From Gatlinburg, TN:
- Take US321 North (actually heading east) out of town.
- Turn right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Greenbrier entrance.
- Travel just over four miles on road which changes from paved to gravel.
- Turn left to cross road bridge. NOTE: There is now a small directional sign here. Continuing straight arrives at [GSMNP Porter Creek] trailhead.
- Travel less than mile to parking area
Trailhead is past large boulders and locked gate.
Route Description
The trail follows a gravel logging road at first, then turns uphill to follow the stream to the waterfall.
Distance (mi) | Elevation (ft) | Description |
---|---|---|
0.0 | 2060 | Trailhead |
1.5 | 2660 | End of gravel section. Begin dirt tread. |
2.5 | 3235 | Three towering old growth tulip poplars. |
4.0 | 4310 | Ramsey Cascades |
Typical Conditions
National Park Service does trail maintenance primarily between May thru Nov, thus some blowdowns possible during the off-season. Can be very muddy after a significant rain.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No fee, but Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail does not allow RVs or trailers and is only open March 11 - Nov 30 during 2011. During peak summer season, you might spend more time on this roadway than on the trail.
If the Roaring Fork Motor Trail closed, then next nearest access point would be at the Rainbow Falls trailhead for a 7 mile round trip hike.
After the Hike
Misc. Information
Per NPS policy, pets are not allowed on park trails. Be aware that black bears are in the area. [npbs
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="35.707" lon="-83.33" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="750" scale="yes" controls="medium" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/GSMNP_Ramsey_Cascades.kml
(G) 35.70768,-83.38288
Turn left to cross this bridge
(A) 35.70277,-83.35727
Parking at trailhead gate
(L) 35.70294,-83.35674
First trail bridge
(G) 35.70295,-83.33408
2.5 miles left sign
(L) 35.70668,-83.32514
Trail bridge
(L) 35.70918,-83.31467
Trail bridge
(D) 35.70904,-83.32018
Three old growth poplars
(C) 35.70855,-83.30013
Ramsey Cascades
</googlemap>
Photos
- Placeholder.JPG