Waterfall Hike! Gabes Mountain Trail to Hen Wallow Falls

For this out and back hike we will start near the Cosby Campground parking area and walk a short distance to the trailhead. This trail is one of many built by the CCC in the 1930's and runs through moist woodlands where Eastern Hemlock and rosebay rhododendron flourish. We will cross several small creeks on footlogs and pass several old homesites, rock piles and chimneys. At mile 2.1 we will take the short and very steep spur trail to the base of Hen Wallow Falls. Water cascades down 3 sections of rock, the lowest bulging and very slippery. A crazy jumble of rocks provide places to sit for a snack or early lunch before we retrace our steps back to the parking lot.
* Total out-and-back hike distance is 4.5 miles with 880 ft. elevation gain; rated Moderately Easy.
* For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
* Our Easy hikes are: 5 miles or less and up to 1000' elevation change (on trail). Hikers should be comfortable hiking at a 1.5-2.0 mph pace with 300+ feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile.