Dennis Cove Rd to Wilbur Dam Rd

Dennis Cove Rd to Wilbur Dam Rd (log in to submit report)
Trail System	Appalachian Trail
Land Owner	Cherokee National Forest
Located	Roan Mountain, Tennessee
Trail Marking	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.	11.5 hrs0.719 Days <br />690 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	12.8 mi20.6 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 25.6 mi41.199 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	1,950 ft650 Yards <br />594.36 Meters <br /> / 3,733 ft1,244.333 Yards <br />1,137.818 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	3,073 ft936.65 Meters <br /> / (3,332 ft1,015.594 Meters <br />) – South-to-North
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	5 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	4 trails / 27.8 mi of trail
Parking	36° 15' 50.94" N, 82° 7' 23.74" W Map
Trailhead	36° 15' 50.94" N, 82° 7' 23.74" W Map
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Special Notice

Watauga Lake Shelter was REMOVED due to continual bear activity. Please continue hiking through this area without stopping. No preparation or consumption of food or overnight stays allowed. This USFS closure is effective until further notice. View here for updates. A campsite (no water) has been set up at coordinates N36.29847, W82.12701 (NB Mile 426.5) just outside the Pond Mountain Wilderness. Also nearby is Boots Off Hostel along Bear Branch Road on the south side of the closed section. Furthermore, the National Forest Service lands are closed to most recreation between US321 (NB Mile 427) and Wilbur Dam Road (NB Mile 431.4). Individuals are only permitted to hike through this area. Please continue hiking through this area without stopping. No preparation or consumption of food or overnight stays allowed. This closure continues effective for an undefined period.

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Trail Overview

Note! The bridges near 321 flood at 1,961' and 1,963'. You can review TVA's current measurement and prediction at their website. The alternate plan is to take Oliver Rd to the west to the point it nears the AT again.

Route Description

(Trail South > North)

Dennis Cove

Road crossing at Dennis Cove and first of two access points to Hampton, TN. Dennis Cove has tent sites within walking distance of the Trail. It is the southern entrance to the Pond Mountain Wilderness and Laurel Fork Gorge.

Koonford Bridge

One of the TEHCC's most notable accomplishments, the Koonford Bridge spans Laurel Fork Creek just below a high rock wall with a number of cascades further downstream. It has received national attention and awards for its primitive construction techniques in compliance with wilderness area restrictions.

High Water Bypass Trail

The High Water Bypass blue blaze trail is a .5 mile continuation of an old railroad grade from the AT before it descends into the Laurel Fork Gorge to the Laurel Fork Shelter. This route offers a bypass of the AT in the gorge when the area becomes flooded. It also offers a more gradual grade from the south and a small loop.

Laurel Fork Falls

One of the most dramatic falls in the entire Appalachian mountain range, the falls a great place for fly fishing and picnicking. Swimming is not allowed because of the dangerous undertow in the pool.

Laurel Fork Shelter

Laurel Fork Shelter (2450') is a stone shelter built in 1966 by the TEHCC. It is located 300' above the AT on the blue blazed bypass trail after leaving Laurel Fork Gorge.

Hampton Blue Blaze Trail

The Hampton blue blaze trail, a former AT route, is a mile long stretch of trail connecting the townships of Hampton & Braemar to the AT following an old railroad grade along Laurel Fork Creek. The trail also provides a high water route if portions of the creek side are flooded. Some of the notable features are the rocky cliffs along the creek. This route is often used by day hikers to access Laurel Fork Falls.

Pond Flats

Pond Flats (3500') is situated near the peak of Pond MOuntain in the Pond Mountain Wilderness. It hosts a rare, high elevation, naturally forming pond. It is only seen during wet seasons. There is a primitive campsite and water source here as well.

US321 - Hampton, TN and Butler, TN

This is the second and primary access point to Hampton, TN. The US321 crossing at Watauga Lake is at the Shook Branch Recreation Area. Hikers should be cautious when crossing this busy highway. There is a small parking area at the Cherokee National Forest sign.

Watauga Lake Shelter

Watauga Lake Shelter (2091') is a wooden shelter built by the United States Forest Service in 1980. it is located uphill from the AT on a blue blaze.

Watauga Dam

Watauga Dam is a 320' earthen dam built by the TVA. It holds back the Watauga River to form Watauga Lake. Access across the dam is for hiking purposes only. The Trail follows a portion of an access road that is closed to the public.

Wilbur Dam Road

This is the last access point to the Trail before the long ridge walk along Iron Mountain. It can be reached from Stoney Creek via TN91 or from Elizabethton via Siam. The road is gated during the winter approximately 2 miles from the Trail.

Photos

• 

  View of Laurel Fork Gorge from Potato Top

• 

  Maintainers working on the Shook Branch Bridge

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  View of Watauga Lake

• 

  View of Watauga Lake

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