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.

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