Laurel Fork Gorge: Difference between revisions

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                     | Image Name = Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG
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                     | City = Hampton
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                     | Longitude = -82.135
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                     | Medical = Elizabethton, TN
                     | Medical = Elizabethton, TN
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| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos = Yes
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| Comment = Winter falls, some additional photos of falls
| Date reviewed = 10/30/2015
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== Trail Overview ==
== 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. -->
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Revision as of 21:50, 30 October 2015

Laurel Fork Gorge Falls.JPG
Trail Name Laurel Fork Gorge
Nearest City Hampton
State Tennessee
Trail Marking AT White Rectangle
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr waterfall.png Dnr dog.png
Difficulty Rating Moderate
Hiking Time 44 Hours <br />0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip 7.47.4 mi <br />11.909 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation ~700"~" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property. / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 21402,140 Feet <br />713.333 Yards <br />652.272 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Elizabethton, TN
Trip Reports Click Here
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Please help make this trail page better. Feel free to add anything you believe relevant, but this page has been flagged as needing the following work:

  • Detail to route description
  • Photos
  • Winter photos
  • Update infobox to current layout
  • Update data in infobox
  • Comment:Winter falls, some additional photos of falls

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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. 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.

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.

Maps

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Photos

  • View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top

  • White Rhododendron bloom

  • Laurel Fork Falls

  • Steps heading up!

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