Laurel Falls

Laurel Falls is an extremely popular destination within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thus, parking can be a problem during peak season. If you wish to avoid crowds your best bet is to begin your hike early in the morning, during the early evening hours, on a weekday, or during the off-season.

The Laurel Falls Trail was built in 1932 to provide fire crews with access to the Cove Mountain area in the event of a forest fire. By the early 1960s, however, Laurel Falls had become a popular hiking destination for visitors, and erosion was beginning to take a toll on the trail. As part of the 1963 Accelerated Works Projects grant to the Department of Interior, the Laurel Falls Trail was paved in order to halt problems with erosion.

As in decades past, you'll still find a lot of families with young children on this popular trail. If you do plan to hike with young children, I highly suggest keeping a close eye on them at all times as the trail passes next to some very steep drop-offs, especially as you get closer to the falls.

Roundtrip, the hike to Laurel Falls and back is 2.3 miles. Hikers will climb roughly 314 feet in elevation before arriving at the 80-foot waterfall. The hike is well worth it though - Laurel Falls is very photogenic!

The waterfall consists of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream (Laurel Branch) at the base of the upper falls. The falls receives its name from the mountain laurel that blooms along the trail and near the falls in May.

If you wish to go home with some great photos of the waterfall you may want to consider planning your hike for early in the morning, or late in the day. The shade provided by the surrounding mountains will likely produce a much better photograph.

Visitors should also note that you'll be traveling in bear country on this hike. Although it may not seem like it, due to the scores of people on the trail at any given time, but black bears are still present in this area. On our most recent hike we saw a mother and three cubs roughly 50 yards off the trail.

Big Creek/Mouse Creek Falls

The Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade, built in the early 1900's to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom.  The trail was improved by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the early 1930's when it was converted for hiking use. 

With a relatively smooth and even surface that climbs gradually over the course of its 2.1 miles to Mouse Creek Falls, this is an outstanding hike for young or novice hikers.  At first the wide path climbs high above the Big Creek Campground, and away from the creek.  After roughly 1.3 miles, however, the trail finally makes contact with the creek, and for the rest of this hike you'll never leave the sight or sounds of Big Creek.  Wildflowers and Rhododendron also line the pathway throughout this section of the trail.  As you proceed higher you may notice a boulder field off to the right of the trail.  This is just one of the after-effects from the logging days.  The erosion caused by stripping the mountainside of trees has exposed these underlying boulders. 

At roughly 1.5 miles the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep, emerald green pool that lies just below a six-foot waterfall flowing between two large boulders.  If you're lucky you may see a trout scooting through the water here.  Unfortunately this spot isn't marked by a trail sign.  Moreover, you'll pass a couple of smaller waterfalls along the way that might lead some to believe that they've already reached Midnight Hole.  On the flip side you can use this as an excuse to take your time to explore the many features along this portion of the trail.  At just over 2 miles you'll see a hitching post on your left.  Continue a little bit further beyond the hitching post and you'll see a short side trail that leads to a viewing area of Mouse Creek Falls.  Located on the far side of Big Creek, this 45 foot waterfall emerges from the dense forest to tumble over several tiers of moss covered rocks before crashing into Big Creek.  This is an outstanding place to drop your backpack, break out the camera, and grab a snack or picnic lunch.

If you wish to explore more of the terrain in this section of the park you'll have the option of continuing along the Big Creek Trail, past an old carriage bridge, to visit Walnut Bottom, the site of an old logging camp.  Walnut Bottom, now known for its exceptional displays of spring wildflowers, is located just past Back Country Campsite 37, and requires a hike of another 3 miles beyond Mouse Creek Falls.

Directions to the Trailhead:  The trailhead is just 12 miles from the Garage Mahal, head east into Hartford get on I-40 heading to Asheville and get off at the very next exit, Waterville Road Exit 451.  Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River  and proceed 2.1 miles to a 4-way intersection.  Continue straight ahead on to the narrow gravel road and drive past the ranger station to a large parking area at the end of the road. The Big Creek Trailhead is located on the right, just before reaching the parking area, roughly 3 miles from the highway.