Ramblings and images of some of the wonderful places we've visited
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Spruce Flats Falls - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In late November 2019, I drove to the Tremont Institute in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and hiked to Spruce Flats Falls. From the parking area to the falls is about 0.9 miles with an average grade of about 12% uphill for the first 0.6 miles and 10% downhill for the last 0.2 miles to the base of the falls. I've posted about this waterfall seven times previously describing visits in April 2012, March 2015, March 2016, June 2016, November 2016, March 2017, and May 2018. The falls is one of my favorite places in the park. My best description of the hike is from my March 2016 visit.
The trail is overdue for reconstruction
Follow the signs
Institute's water tank
The final sign
Side-hill climbing
A beautiful view
Another view
Fall colors
Narrow trail
Nature's rock garden
More side-hill climbing
Near the summit
More fall color in late November
Descending toward the falls
Looking back at the log stairs
The waterfall comes into view
Spruce Flats Falls
Upper tier
Lower tier
View downstream to Middle Prong and Upper Tremont Road
There is no entrance fee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment