Great Smoky Mountains NP: Abrams Falls Trail (Blog Hike #217)

Trail: Abrams Falls Trail

Hike Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Geographic Location: south of Townsend, TN (35.59140, -83.85275)

Length: 5 miles

Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: May 2007, January 2015

Overview: A moderate hike along Abrams Creek to a spectacular waterfall.

Waterfall Information: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=440155
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: This trail is accessed by driving the Cades Cove Scenic Loop Road.  From Townsend, take SR 73 east 2 miles to Laurel Creek Road.  Turn right on Laurel Creek Road, following signs for Cades Cove.  7 miles later, Laurel Creek Road becomes the Cades Cove Loop Road, which is one way.  Take the Cades Cove Loop Road to the signed Abrams Falls Trailhead, which is located between stops 10 and 11 on the loop road.  Park in the large gravel parking lot provided at the trailhead.

The hike: Dedicated in 1940 by President F.D. Roosevelt, Great Smoky Mountains National Park represents possibly the greatest natural treasure of the east.  With plenty of moisture and elevations ranging from 1000 to 6600 feet, nearly every species can find a suitable place to call home in the Smoky Mountains.  Indeed, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more species than any other temperate region in the world.

            The region’s human history is almost as impressive as its natural history.  At the dawn of the last century, this land was covered by subsistence farms, the second tier of pioneers coming over from the North Carolina Piedmont.  The subsistence farm life was never easy, but the 1930’s were especially hard on these people.  By the late 1930’s, some of these farmers were willing to sell their land to the park service to create the national park; others were not and had to be forced to sell.  Though the people have moved, their impact can still be seen on many of the roads and trails now used by park visitors to enjoy the Smokies.

            Due to its natural and human history, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers scenery found nowhere else in the world.  Fortunately, the park also has one of the most impressive trail systems found anywhere, with 850 miles of trail weaving a web throughout the park.  Some of these trails are very steep, and others are accessed only via long backpack hikes.  However, many of the trails make great day hikes and allow you to access some of the park’s most scenic attractions with only a moderate amount of effort.

This hike leads to one of the largest waterfalls in the park in terms of volume.  Better yet, the trail is easy enough that most people in decent condition can make the journey.  Since this is the most popular day hikes in the most visited attraction (Cades Cove) in the entire national parks system, you will likely not be alone.  Thus, it is best to schedule this hike for a weekday or even during the winter.  When I visited the park in summer 2007, there were plans under consideration to restricting the Cades Cove Loop Road to shuttle buses, so you may need to ride a park shuttle to this trailhead in the near future.

Start of Abrams Falls Trail

            Begin at a wooden sign at the rear of the parking area the reads “Abrams Falls Trail.”  Cross a wide wooden bridge to arrive at a fork.  The trail to the right leads 0.5 miles to the Elijah Oliver Place, a restored homestead that is part of the Cades Cove Loop Road.  This hike continues to follow the Abrams Falls Trail by taking the left fork.

            The trail undulates gently with Abrams Creek bubbling along on the left.  All along this trail, a dense understory of mountain laurel chokes out most other lower level vegetation while hardwoods dominate the canopy.  When I hiked this trail, black marks could be seen on the ground where recent wildfires had worked through the forest.  In fact, the trail past the falls was closed due to this fire on my visit.

Hiking toward the bluff

            At 0.3 miles, the trail climbs to top the first of three bluffs on your way to the falls.  At the top of this bluff, the trail curves right and immediately descends back to creek level as it crosses a tributary of Abrams Creek on a footlog.  After another 0.6 miles of level creekside hiking, the trail climbs to top the second bluff, this one higher and rockier than the first one.  During the leafless months, this bluff gives a nice view of the Abrams Creek valley, which is now some 150 feet below you.

            The descent from the second bluff is long and rocky, but careful stepping will get you down.  Next comes the longest section of level creekside hiking on this trail.  Some large rocks along the creek make for great seats as you sit, rest, and enjoy a trail snack while you view the creek.

Ripple in Abrams Creek

            At 2.2 miles, you top the last of the three bluffs.  Just past the top of the bluff you can hear Abrams Falls in the creek below you, but don’t be tempted to take a shortcut, as this would almost certainly lead to injury or even fatality.  Instead, continue to follow the trail as it makes a rather rocky descent first toward a tributary of Abrams Creek, which it crosses on a footlog, and then to Abrams Creek itself below the falls.  Turn left on the short spur trail and, in only 200 feet, arrive at the base of the falls.

            What power this waterfall has!  Although only 20 feet high, the sheer volume of water and the enormous plunge pool make this a sight to behold.  Since Abrams Creek drains all of Cades Cove, there is plenty of water to fall here, even during a drought.  Climbing on the cliffs around the falls is not advisable, but taking a dip in the plunge pool may be if the water is warm enough.

Abrams Falls

            As mentioned above, the Abrams Falls Trail continues past the waterfall, but the trail becomes less used past the waterfall and it does not form a loop.  Thus, most hikers should end their downstream journey at the waterfall and retrace their steps 2.5 miles back to the trailhead in Cades Cove to complete the hike.