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Posted by Jon Hoffman in Smoky Mountains
If you've never hiked the Smokies in the winter, you're in for a rare treat. When the temperatures drop and the trees shed their leaves, these legendary hills transform into a winter wonderland. Snow carpets the higher elevations, mountain vistas stretch on forever, and waterfalls freeze into stunning ice formations.
Best of all, the region's fabled hiking trails are a lot less crowded than usual, so you can explore them in peace and privacy. Just be sure to take reasonable precautions. Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes or boots. Bring along bottled water – and perhaps a thermos filled with a hot beverage. Stow a first-aid kit in your backpack. Don't forget your phone and your compass. And be sure to watch out for slippery ice and snow.
Also, before you hit the Park, find out which trails and roads will be open. Some trails become treacherous in winter, and the Park Service closes them down. To learn about specific trail and road closures, contact the Smoky Mountains National Park or check the Park Service's website.
Laurel Falls Trail. Prefer relatively easy treks? You're in luck. Popular Laurel Falls Trail provides a moderate-level hike covering 2.6 miles round-trip (about two hours in all). Partially paved – but with a few rough areas – it leads to an 80-foot waterfall divided into upper and lower sections. As you stand on the walkway between the two sections, you'll enjoy an eye-popping view of rushing torrents and frothy spray. And, if you visit when the temps have dropped below freezing, you'll witness something even more impressive: a massive two-tiered waterfall frozen into a sparkling sculpture. Even when it's only partially frozen, it's an amazing sight.
Rainbow Falls Trail. Up for a slightly more challenging hike? Check out Rainbow Falls. This picturesque trail covers 5.2 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of nearly 1,700 feet. It's moderately difficult, but the trek is well worth it: It takes you to a gorgeous waterfall, which often freezes in colder weather.
You'll start out at the Rainbow Falls and Bullhead Parking Area. Then you'll wind along meandering Le Conte Creek, climbing steadily through dense forest, over two rustic footbridges, and past a few smaller waterfalls. At the 2.7-mile point, you'll reach Rainbow Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Smokies. When this majestic 80-foot waterfall freezes, it forms a dazzling hourglass shape, with rippling cataracts frozen solid in mid-cascade. At its base a giant ice ball sparkles in the winter sun. Truly an unforgettable experience!
Alum Cave Trail. How would you like to hike to breathtaking bluffs with gorgeous views of glistening icicles? That's what awaits you on the Alum Cave Trail, a slightly more difficult trek through 2.3 miles of towering old-growth hardwoods, with an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet.
Along the way, you'll encounter Arch Rock (a unique natural arch), scenic Inspiration Point, and the legendary Eye of the Needle, a giant hole in the jagged outcropping of Little Duckhawk Ridge. Eventually you'll climb a series of rough log stairs to Alum Cave itself, a rugged rocky overhang. Here's where you'll view the huge, hanging icicles in all their glittering glory. And, from the bluff beneath the sheltering cliffs, you'll have a magnificent view of the mountains.
You'll find so much more to see and do in the Tennessee Smokies this winter – from hiking to skiing to world-class shopping and dining. Contact Volunteer Cabin Rentals today to reserve your cozy, comfortable cabin.
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