Wood Booger Top 5: Best Waterfalls On The Tennessee Side Of GSMNP

It has been a long, long, long time since I did a Top 5 blog on anything but best hikes of a particular season or a year end special, well that is about to change as here is a blog on my favorite waterfalls on the Tennessee side, of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). It was my last two visits (here & here) to the park where I visited some waterfalls and I have been thinking of doing more Top 5, so what better topic to blog about than this. The Tennessee side of the GSMNP has five big waterfalls four of which are the most popular (Abrams, Laurel, Rainbow & Grotto) and it is no coincidence that they are not too difficult of hikes. The fifth, Ramsey Cascade, is by far the hardest but is still popular. Then there is the most visited falls in the park, Cataract Falls. Then there are two you don't even have to hike too (the Sinks & Megis Falls). I am rating the waterfall some by the hike, but mainly the beauty of the falls. So, with that said here are the Top 5.

Honorable Mention #1: The Sinks - What can I say, but the Sinks is a beautiful and powerful cascade. While there are not many more picturesque waterfalls in the park it is just off the Little River Road, so there is no hike. Anyway, that is why it is an honorable mention.

Honorable Mention #2: Laurel Falls - Yes, this is a surprise because this maybe the most popular waterfall hike in the park. It seems the parking area, on Little River Road, is full any time of the year. Don't get me wrong this two stages waterfall, each section is about 35 feet, is beautiful. The trail actually cuts through the falls. On the day I went in summer the water flow was poor (I have seen pictures with the better flow), so I think it could be a lot better. The other reason it just missed making the Top 5 is the is paved. The reason the three-mile trail was paved is its popularity, but it does take away from the hike.

Number #5: Spruce Flats Falls - This is one of the most recent cascades I have visited, back on New Year's Eve. First, the hike is a nice, but challenging two-mile out-and-back hike. Then there is the beautiful three section waterfall 40-foot waterfall with a nice main drop. Oh, the hike starts out of Tremont which is another plus. Definitely a less experienced gem in the Smokies.

Number #4: Grotto Falls - Located off the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail on the Trillium Gap Trail it is a 25-foot waterfall with a bonus...you can walk under it. The hike itself is nice and you might even spot a bear (we did). This is a popular hike, as the parking area is always full. But, remember it is closed from November to March.

Number #3: Rainbow Falls - The trailhead for this cascade is located off Cherokee-Orchard Road, just before the start of the Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail. This waterfall is popular in its own right, but the Rainbow Falls Trail continues to Mount LeConte, which is how I visited the 80-foot, plunging cascade. Because I had to get up the trail to LeConte (another four miles) I know I didn't give this waterfall it's due, so a return visit is in order as the hike is a nice 5.4-mile outing. But I have to wait until they open the trail back up as it was closed by the Chimney 2 Fire.

Number #2: Abrams Falls - I was surprised by this hike and this falls. It is not that I didn't think it was a pretty waterfall, but at 25 feet tall it is a little small. Oh, in Gregory Plums book, the Waterfalls of Tennessee, just gave it two stars, so I was more than surprised by this cascade.  First, the hike is a great five-mile out-and-back. However, when you get to the falls you can't be anything but impressed. While not the tallest waterfall, it is the water flow that is so impressive at Abrams. It remains me a lot of Hurricane Falls in Tulallah Gorge, just a lot of power. Because of this, it is one of the deadliest waterfalls in the park as 30 people have died since 1971. Then there is the bonus that the waterfall is located in Cades Cove, but because of that, it is popular.

Number #1: Ramsey Cascade - I have to say this wasn't even close,. This unique and iconic 100-foot waterfall is the most beautiful I have visited in the park, it is a majestic site. So much so that it adorns the drink machines at Sugarlands Visitor Center. What also makes this waterfall special is the hike itself. It takes some effort to make it here as the hike to Ramsey Cascade is an eight-mile out-and-back with 2000 feet of elevation gain. Because of this, the hike, while still popular, is not as crowded as some of the other waterfall hikes. The hike has creek crossing and passes through some Old Growth Forest with some massive Tulip Poplars. However, like Rainbow Falls the trail is currently closed as one of the main footbridges was damaged by fallen trees. But, when it opens back up this is a must for waterfall fans or anyone who wants a great hike..you might even see a Wood Booger on the trail.