One Day Wilderness: Abrams Falls Trail

Even I am surprised I haven’t hiked this trail too, because I know that it is a Park favorite. It is not just because it is off the infamous Cades Cove Loop, it also a great trail in it’s own right. Start out by driving out to the TH in the far corner of the Loop with enough snacks you need for this 8.4 mile day. Also keep in mind, because of this ridiculous Government shutdown, the way from Sugarlands is blockaded because of down trees that there is no paid staff to handle cleaning up the damage. Thanks Washington for this one. You know when you guys made that plan to take care of our great National Parks, we assumed that was for the foreseeable future. Please don’t let them fall apart now!

Ok, I’m off my soap box now. Start out down along the Creek as you scope out the surroundings for otters that were reintroduced into this drainage. Soon you will begin to climb up a bit to a rocky saddle where you can look down this time of year to a distinct “horseshoe” cut that the Creek has gouged out of the landscape. Dropping down again soon you know that you are getting close to the Falls. Take a short side trip to the base of these scenic Falls and have a bite to eat. Back at the intersection make a left and finish off the last mile and a half or so to a crossing of Abrams Creek (I’m 6’5 and it was looking like waist deep for me). If the water is slow and it doesn’t appear too deep in the channels, you can make a crossing here and take Rabbit Creek back to the Trailhead if you like, a 11.2 mile day.