Abrams Falls GSMNP

I hiked the 2.5 miles to Abrams Falls in late January, 2013.  This was just a few days after a weather system that stalled out over the area dumped around eight inches of rain in three days. The trail head is at the end of a short gravel road about half way around the Cades Cove loop road.  The large parking area can be a rather congested place in summer with vehicles parked in seemingly random places.  In mid-winter, however, even a sunny day won't yield more than about a dozen vehicles.  The trail starts at an elevation of 1712 feet by crossing Abrams Creek on a sturdy bridge and then turns left and follows the creek downstream.

Looking back at the trail head across Abrams Creek

The trail generally follows the creek in a northwesterly direction except for crossing some side creeks and one location where the trail goes across Arbutus Ridge instead of following the creek around the ridge.  Even after all the rain, the trail was in reasonably good condition.  The trail has lots of rocks and roots to stumble on, so watching your footing is imperative.  There are three hills to climb on the trail.  The first hill tops out around 1800 feet and cuts the corner off of following the creek around a bend at the end of the ridge.

The trail is wide, but rocky

After descending over 100 feet from the first hill, the trail crosses Arbutus Branch.  A single log has been converted into a footbridge and a handrail has been added to one side.  

Arbutus Branch

Abrams Creek

The trail then climbs up Arbutus Ridge and crosses a saddle in the ridge at about 1750 feet before descending about 200 feet to cross Stony Branch.  Along the initial portion of this descent is evidence of the  EF 4 tornado that struck the park in April 2011 and closed the trail for several weeks while this section was rebuilt. 

Arbutus Ridge with additional recent storm damage

Open vista along a rebuilt trail section

The 2011 storm opened this view of Abrams Creek

The water diversion scheme near Stony Branch
was overwhelmed by the recent heavy rain

After crossing Stony Branch, the trail rises again to cross Stony Ridge before the final descent to the falls.  After crossing Wilson Branch, the trail turn left and follows Wilson Branch to its confluence with Abrams Creek.  Just above the confluence, another footbridge recrosses Wilson Branch and leads to Abrams Falls.  The trail to the right continues down Abrams Creek another 1.7 miles before intersecting with Little Bottoms Trail.

First footbridge over Wilson Branch

Shortly after I arrived, the one couple at the falls started back up the trail, leaving me with the area to my self.  Such solitude is impossible to find at the falls during the summer.

Abrams Falls

Closer view of the falls

As evening approaches, deer have taken over the parking area

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.