The Laurel Falls Trail is the most trampled, beaten, and worn down path in the entire national park– at least to the waterfall. Because of this the national park service has had to pave this segment trail with a dark concrete, so as to prevent further erosion of the trailside. Furthermore, there is a wooden post at every 0.1-mile (0.16 km), giving the many visitors who walk the 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to Laurel Falls an indicator of just how far they have to go. The paved section of the path, while often very crowded, does offer a nice, gentle walk in the woods, accessible to most children, and inasmuch has been designated as a nature trail by the park service. The second-growth forest is rather thick over this period, and is often decorated with a thick laurel thrush, for which the Laurel Branch and her signature waterfall are named. As the hiker approaches the falls, s/he should begin to hear the roars of both tumbling waters and a host of visitors who have made the trip to the surprisingly powerful cascade. Laurel Falls is a 75-foot (23 m), multi-level waterfall. The trail crosses over the mid-section of the waterfall via a grip of boulders, as the gushing waterfall sprays mist overhead and dives into a narrow gorge below. Although much has been mentioned of how heavily trafficked the trail can be at times, the waterfall is popular for a reason: it is one of the most magnificent in the national park.
Here are some cool Laurel Falls images:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Laurel Falls
Image by mikerhicks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – LeConte Trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Laurel Falls
Image by mikerhicks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – LeConte Trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Laurel Falls
Image by mikerhicks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – LeConte Trip
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Laurel Falls
Image by mikerhicks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – LeConte Trip