Heading there in two weeks. Plan these waterfalls--Abrams, Spruce Flats, Grotto. Any 'don't miss this one' recomendations with a hike that is not strenuous (moderate or easy), under 4 miles RT, welcomed, along with 'best time for light', welcome.
Will do some good weather vistas also along the way, including Clingmans probably via the longer Bypass trail up, plus Alum Cave Bluffs, so those recomendations also welcome.
Is it worth the drive to Juney Whank, Indian Creek and Tom Branch north of Bryson City?
Also, all that fun will enhance appetites, so share your favorites, especially hidden away, locally owned, less-touristy.
Thanks
I’d suggest including a trip over the mountains to Cherokee, NC, at the southern edge of the park.
thanks, Will do Cades Cove when we do Abrams and Cherokee for sure if we do the three Bryson falls.
DWU2
Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
If you head west, toward Townsend, it will be far less crowded. Nearby opportunities include the Tremont Falls hike, Cade's Cove, and the Foothills Parkway drive.
I would go ahead and do the three falls. It's a great little hike with three pretty, though not spectacular, falls in succession. And probably much less crowded. Bryson City itself is very cool (as well as Cherokee, NC if you've a mind to gamble a little) And my gosh, if you're going to be in Gatlinburg, do Dollywood!
[quote=willy6419]Heading there in two weeks. Plan these waterfalls--Abrams, Spruce Flats, Grotto. Any 'don't miss this one' recomendations with a hike that is not strenuous (moderate or easy), under 4 miles RT, welcomed, along with 'best time for light', welcome.
Will do some good weather vistas also along the way, including Clingmans probably via the longer Bypass trail up, plus Alum Cave Bluffs, so those recomendations also welcome.
Is it worth the drive to Juney Whank, Indian Creek and Tom Branch north of Bryson City?
Also, all that fun will enhance appetites, so share your favorites, especially hidden away, locally owned, less-touristy.
Thanks[/quo
We did Laurel Falls years ago, about a mile , listed as handicapped accessible a that time, paved trail.
I highly recommend Roger Trentham of Smokey Mountain School of Photography. You can hire him to take you to the hidden gems of the park that only the locals know. All their guides are good and will make a workshop based on what you want. Great, great, great experience with them. Favorite trip were to the hidden falls along Big Creek.
https://smokymountainsop.com/smoky-mountain-photography-field-schedules/
Thanks, I’ll check that out
If you are looking for non strenuous hikes, i am not sure Abrams falls is a good one for you. I have hiked to it several times and while not real steep the hike does have some elevation change on the trail. It is also fairly long hike.
If you've never done it, white water rafting on the Little Pigeon River is worth the time.
willy6419 wrote:
Heading there in two weeks. Plan these waterfalls--Abrams, Spruce Flats, Grotto. Any 'don't miss this one' recomendations with a hike that is not strenuous (moderate or easy), under 4 miles RT, welcomed, along with 'best time for light', welcome.
Will do some good weather vistas also along the way, including Clingmans probably via the longer Bypass trail up, plus Alum Cave Bluffs, so those recomendations also welcome.
Is it worth the drive to Juney Whank, Indian Creek and Tom Branch north of Bryson City?
Also, all that fun will enhance appetites, so share your favorites, especially hidden away, locally owned, less-touristy.
Thanks
Heading there in two weeks. Plan these waterfalls... (
show quote)
You are talking God`s Country. If in Cherokee go ahead and visit Maggie Valley NC Follow the signs from Harrah's Casino
It is outside the park but Soco falls is between Cherokee NC and the Maggie valley and is a beautiful falls. As one goes north it is on the right and is just off the highway. There is parking on the road and it is a short walk to an overlook, but the best shots are from the side where you have to go on to some rocks. I suggest crawling on to these to take your photos as I fell there several years ago but only to where I was standing and not down the side of a small cliff which could be very dangerous. Have fun and there are quite a number of great photo opportunities. Best time is in the fall with change in leaves but can be quite crowded
thanks. I just checked out Soco in a waterfall book. Highly rated. Thanks
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