Spruce Flats Falls has been one of my favorite places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a long time. However, my visit in May 2018 has me questioning whether it will remain a favorite. On this visit, I found a large family group camped out at the falls with ice chests and hammocks. If you've read any of my previous posts about this hike, you'll recall that it is less than a mile round trip. In just twenty minutes, they could be tailgating back in the parking lot. While the parking lot isn't as scenic, it is beside the picturesque Middle Prong Little River. I had to closely crop my pictures to eliminate the extraneous bits, but I wasn't entirely successful.
 |
| Trailhead |
 |
| Gravel service road |
 |
| Sidewalk next to the service road with Tremont Institute building beyond |
 |
| This is the way... |
 |
| First switchback |
 |
| Well signed |
 |
| Buckeye Trail above the institute |
 |
| Lots of tripping opportunities |
 |
| A bit of direct light reaches the ground |
 |
| The trail turns left here |
 |
| Front of the sign seen above |
 |
| Rocks seem to grow along the trail |
 |
| Please use the stairs and not the side path |
 |
| More tripping hazards approaching the water tower switchback |
 |
| The final switchback and sign |
 |
| View from above the water tower |
 |
| More direct sunlight |
 |
| Mountain laurel blooms (Kalmia latifolia) |
 |
| Trail crosses a small drainage |
 |
| There's a trail through here somewhere |
 |
| A nice section of trail |
 |
| Trail summit on a spur of Mill Ridge |
 |
| Sams Ridge |
 |
| Sidehill trail |
 |
| Around a boulder |
 |
| Rattlesnake hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) |
 |
| Erosion along the trail |
 |
| Log stair bridge |
 |
| Upper section of the falls |
 |
| Both portions of the falls (Note the hammock suspended between the trees on the right) |
 |
| Lower section of the falls |
There is no entry fee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The park website is https://nps.gov/grsm.
No comments:
Post a Comment