HIKING THE APPALACHIANS AND BEYOND
  • Home
  • Trail Reports
    • Best Hikes
    • Hikes with Scenic Views
    • Hikes with Water Features
    • Alabama
    • Georgia
    • Florida
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
  • Map
  • Hike List
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Southeast Nature Society
    • Our Team
  • Georgia Waterfalls Database

Cumberland Trail: Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness, Dayton, Tennessee

5/5/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture
The Cumberland Trail is a beautiful trail. While it is not fully completed yet, each of its sections is quite beautiful, and I enjoy each of my hikes along the trail. The Cumberland Trail follows the Cumberland Plateau in Central Tennessee, and it has both waterfalls and scenic views. The unique geography of the Cumberland Plateau always makes the hikes interesting. There are dozens of small but steep gorges, and there's rocks everywhere. This hike occured on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014. My plan was to hike a portion of the Cumberland Trail in the Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness. I planned visiting Laurel Falls and Bryan Overlook, and then go up the opposite side of the gorge to Buzzard Point Overlook. While there were a couple unexpected things throughout the hike, my plan got fulfilled. 

R/T Length of Trail: 10.5 Miles
Duration of Hike: 6 Hours
Type of Hike: Out and back with Y-shape designation 
Difficulty Rating: 6 out of 10; moderate, but several strenuous sections, including one steep rock scrambling section; two creek fords 
Beginning Point: Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness Trailhead at the end of Pocket Wilderness Road near Dayton, Tennessee. 
Directions: From Chattanooga, TN: Follow US-27 North to Dayton. In Dayton, turn left onto TN State Route 30 (3rd Avenue). Drive 0.3 miles, and turn right onto TN State route 30 (Market Street). Drive 0.2 miles, and turn left onto TN State Route 30 (Dayton Mountain Highway). In 0.9 miles, turn right onto Black Valley Road. Follow Black Valley Road for 1.4 miles. When there will be an old church on your right, turn left onto a gravel road (Pocket Wilderness Road). Pass through gates, and follow Pocket Wilderness Road for 1 mile until dead-end at the trailhead parking area. 
A large waterfall, expansive 240 degree vistas, miles of trails, what could be better? Unfortunately, while this is the perfect environment for hikers like me, don't expect to be alone on this trail. In fact, not even close. The ease of access to Laurel Falls makes this a very popular destination, and at least a third of the people goes further to the overlooks. When I arrived at the trailhead, I found myself in a line of cars! Seems like everybody was waiting for parking spots, and I was getting worried when I saw cars backed up along the shoulder of the last 0.1 miles of the Pocket Wilderness Road. Fortunately, I found an empty parking spot in the parking area, but there was at least 20 cars altogether - maybe over 30. Also, the gates at the beginning of the trailhead road are locked at sunset. It's best to get out before sunset, but if you get out after hours, call the local county police department. 


Don't let the first mile of the hike lure you into believe that this will be a short afternoon stroll. While this is obviously not in the hardest hikes category, there are some hard sections that will get you panting. The first 1.2 miles of the trail will follow an old railroad. Thus, this part of the hike was quite easy, as the trail was wide and flat. The trail will start off following Richland Creek to its left. Almost right away, the trail will cross a tributary via rock hop. There will be a small bridge over a muddy area as well. Around 0.2 miles from the start, the entrance to the Richland Mine will be on the right. Do not enter, even though it is ungated, as it could be potentially life-threatening, because of flooding and crumbling of the mine. The trail will stay flat, while crossing numerous small streams and two bridges. The terrain of this part of the trail is rocky and rooty, though, so it can be a little slow. About a mile from the start of the hike, the trail abruptly narrowed and became more like a traditional path. At 1.2 miles, the main trail will switchback to the right up the mountain, while forward, an unofficial trail leads to the old Dayton Reservoir in 0.1 miles. You don't have to come there, but I went, and I could see the remnants of the dam. There was a nice small waterfall at the remnants of the dam. Back to the main trail, it started the ascent up the north side of the Richland Creek gorge. During the series of switchbacks up the mountain, DO NOT make shortcuts! It is just a few steps more following the trail, so what is the point? I noticed that blazes were frequent on the trail, so it was hard to lose it. After the several switchbacks, the trail leveled out and even started going downhill a bit as it approached Laurel Creek. And then at 1.7 miles since the start of the hike... surprise! The bridge over Laurel Creek was impassable due to a fallen tree on it. Thus, I had to cross via rock hop. I slipped on one of the rocks, and fell in. No harm done to me, but the camera was half submerged. After this, the camera malfunctioned the rest of the day, so you will see some pictures from my other camera in the gallery below. I know they look bad, but it is the best idea I could get to you of how the hike after Laurel Falls looked like. Right after the crossing, there was a trail junction. The main route of the Cumberland Trail turned left, in the direction of Buzzard Point and Snow Falls, while the Laurel Falls Trail turned right towards Laurel Falls and Bryan Overlook. I opted for the latter first. 


The trail started off following the banks of Laurel Creek. Soon, there was a small cascade, unofficially known as Lower Laurel Falls. After this, the trail climbed up some rocks and reached an interesting spot. Here, the trail went through a hole in the rocks, where you actually had to crawl through like through a cave opening. After the rocks, the trail continued the ascent of the mountain. There were several switchbacks and some downed trees, but overall, nothing too hard. 0.7 miles from the Laurel Falls Trail junction , the trail reached the spur trail to Laurel Falls on a switchback. I went to the base of the falls, and then scrambled up to its side. According to what I read, Laurel Falls is about 80 feet high. After taking a short break at Laurel Falls, I continued up the Laurel Falls Trail. It temporarily leveled out, but it reached the bluff line of the top of the gorge, so the trail was becoming more rocky. It passed by some large rock cliffs, and then the real climb started. This was probably the hardest part of the trail, and it was very steep! It first went steeply up a hill, and then sharply turned right at a double blaze. Here, there was some steep rock scrambling needed. There were large rocks in the way, and the views were growing as I ascended above the bluff line. Once I reached the top, it was a relief. The climb  was very hard. After this, the trail leveled out, and reached a spur trail to Laurel Falls Campsites. It was now 0.2 miles since Laurel Falls. After the campsite, the trail passed through a dense forest, and it was quite flat and easy. However, another surprise was just around the corner. I could hear the sound of water approaching, and it was Laurel Creek. What I didn't know, though, was that I had to wade through. I reached the ford at 0.4 miles from Laurel Falls. I pondered for a second whether to cross or not, but it wasn't long. I did cross the Conasauga River 18 times with water knee-high last week, right? Plus, I already had a bath in Laurel Creek further down. At this crossing, Laurel Creek was about ankle deep here, with a few places halfway to the knee. I crossed, and continued following the trail. It quickly ascended above Laurel Creek, and then followed the flat contours of the plateau. 0.4 miles from the crossing, the trail reached a large campsite area and and overlook. The official trail ended here, although an old road turned left. I am not sure where the old road leads to, but I did not go any further. The views from the overlook encompassed the Richland Creek and Henderson Creek gorge. I could see my second destination on the other side of the gorge. I wish I got a better picture from the overlook, but at least you'll have an idea of how it looks like. After a break at the overlook, I headed back down the Laurel Falls Trail. Back over the creek, back past the campsites, back down the steep rocky descent, back past Laurel Falls, back through the hole in the rocks, and back to the junction with the Cumberland Trail. 


Seeing that I still had some time left for my hike, I took the Cumberland Trail westward towards Snow Falls. I didn't have time to go all the way to Snow Falls, but I planned going to Buzzard Roost Overlook. The trail almost right away passed a side trail to Henderson Creek campsites. The main creek was now Henderson Creek (it becomes Richland Creek after Laurel Creek falls in). The trail briefly ascended, and then slowly descended, all the while following the base of the mountainside. At 0.4 miles from Laurel Falls Trail, the Cumberland Trail sharply turned right onto a large rock pathway, and then around the corner, it reached a 150-foot long bridge over Henderson Creek. On the other side of the bridge, the Cumberland Trail ended. From here, it wasn't built yet, although it is supposed to follow Henderson Creek another 5 miles to a future trailhead. Meanwhile, the trail from here was the Snow Falls Trail, which I followed. The trail started off by descending down to the river bank. 0.3 miles from the bridge, the trail began a long ascent. There was around a half dozen of long switchbacks as it slowly ascended up the mountainside. The ascent was so gradual that sometimes I was wondering, if I was descending or ascending. Eventually, the trail reached the bluffs, and I was about to think that here would be something like on the Laurel Falls Trail. However, the trail went through a pass between the bluffs, and reached a junction at the top of the ridge. It was now 1.4 miles since the bridge. The main Snow Falls Trail turned right, but in order to get to Buzzard Roost Overlook the quickest way, turn left onto an unmarked side trail. This trail reached a dirt road in 0.1 miles. I'm not entirely sure where the road goes to the right, but I turned left. From here, it was 0.4 miles to the end of the road and Buzzard Roost Overlook. Once I reached the overlook... WOW! There were views of both the Richland Creek and Morgan Creek gorges. In addition, I could see the town of Dayton in the valley ahead of me. I put one bad picture in the gallery below, to give you a good idea of how it looks like from the overlook. In my opinion, the view was even better than from the Bryan Overlook. After taking in the views, I headed back. Don't miss the side trail going off the road. It is located at a small turn in the road. From there, it was down the side trail, down all the switchbacks, back over the bridge, and back to the Laurel Falls Trail. Then it was over Laurel Creek, down more switchbacks, and the hike ended with a mile of nice flat trail. When I arrived at the car, it took me exactly 6 hours to hike the 10.5 miles in the Laurel-Snow Wilderness. 


In summary, this was another great hike on the Cumberland Plateau. After enjoying this hike so much, I think I will come for even more hiking in this area soon. I recommend for everyone hiking the trail to Laurel Falls. Getting up to Bryan Overlook can be tough, but it is not too hard, so if you have the strength, do it! The hike to Buzzard Roost Overlook is not hard at all, and the rewards are even bigger than at Bryan Overlook, so I highly recommend going there. Below are my pictures, and even a few videos. The last 4 pictures are from my other camera.
3 Comments
Jamie
3/27/2016 10:47:24 pm

This is the best explanation of this trail I have read thus far. Thank you - great pictures!

Reply
Mark Oleg
3/27/2016 11:18:19 pm

It's a great hike. Enjoy!

Reply
mike aguado
12/10/2020 06:53:09 pm

Nice description. How long would it take for a slow poke to go from parking area to buzzards point?Thanks!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    Mark Oleg Ozboyd
    I'm an avid outdoor explorer and a hobbyist landscape photographer. I'm 21 years old and have been hiking since 2011. Originally based out of Atlanta, Georgia, I started out by occasionally hiking short trails throughout well-known Georgia State Parks. During 2012 and 2013, I began to expand my trips into adjacent states, as well as into the wilder National Forest areas rather than just State Parks. Throughout the years that followed, as I slowly ran out of popular hiking trails in my area, I began to search for and hike in more seldom-visited areas. Today, you can find me out in the woods every weekend, whether it's on an official trail or bushwhacking through cross-country terrain without any paths. I now attend Washington & Lee University and am exploring Virginia and West Virginia. My other hobbies include chess, science, old music, and meteorology. I have 3 years of amateur weather forecasting experience, having studied a lot of meteorology basics over the years. I am also a student at European School of Music where I learned that music and nature have a lot in common. Listening to good music inspires me to capture nature's beauty on the camera in different aspects that also make me recall many beautiful music pieces that I've heard.​


    Dear readers: I have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort in this website and the Georgia Waterfalls Database the past five years. All of the work that has gone in keeping these websites updated with my latest trip reports has almost been like a full-time job. This has not allowed me to pick up a paid job to save up money for college, and therefore, I I've had to take out loans. If you find the information on this website interesting, helpful, or time-saving, you can say "thanks" and help me out by clicking the button above and making a contribution. I will be very grateful for any amount of support you give, as all of it will apply toward my college tuition. Thank you! 

    Enter your email address to subscribe for trail reports:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    Picture
    Coming in 2022-2023?

    Other Hiking Websites

    DWHike's Adventures
    Florida's Natural Wonders
    Florida Trailblazer
    Meanderthals
    Mountain Images
    by Bernie Boyer

    North Carolina Waterfalls with
    ​Kevin Adams
    Take-a-Hike!
    Tennessee Landforms
    Waterfall Page
    Waterfall Adventurer
    Zach's Mild Adventures

    Miles Hiked

    Year 1: 540.0 Miles
    Year 2: 552.3 Miles
    ​Year 3: 518.4 Miles
    Year 4: 482.4 Miles
    Year 5: 259.9 Miles

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    Categories

    All
    Adel
    Adirondack Park
    Alabama
    Alfred A. Ring Park
    Allegheny Trail
    Amicalola Falls State Park
    Anniston Area
    Apalachicola Bluffs And Ravines Preserve
    Apalachicola National Forest
    Apalachicola/Port St. Joe Area
    Apopka
    Appalachian Trail
    Appling
    Art Loeb Trail
    Aska Trail System
    Bakersville
    Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve
    Balsam Lake Recreation Area
    Bankhead National Forest
    Bartow County Parks
    Bartram Trail
    Basinger
    Beersheba Springs
    Benton
    Benton Mackaye Trail
    Berry College Trail System
    Best Hike
    Big South Fork National Recreation Area
    Black Bear Wilderness
    Black Rock Mountain State Park
    Blairsville
    Blakely
    Blood Mountain Wilderness
    Blowing Rock
    Blue Ridge
    Blue Ridge Parkway
    Boone
    Bradenton
    Bradenton Beach
    Brasstown Bald
    Brasstown Wilderness
    Brevard
    Bryson City
    Buchanan
    Bucks Pocket State Park
    Bulow Creek State Park
    Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park
    Caesars Head State Park
    Caladesi Island State Park
    Calhoun
    Camel's Hump State Park
    Cashiers
    Caspersen Beach Park
    Catfish Creek State Park
    Caves
    CC Putnam State Forest
    Cedar Point Environmental Park
    Chatsworth
    Chattahoochee National Forest
    Chattanooga
    Chattanooga Valley
    Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River
    Cheaha Wilderness
    Cherohala Skyway
    Cherokee
    Cherokee National Forest
    Chiefland Area
    Chillhowee Recreation Area
    Chipley
    Chunky Gal Trail
    Circle B Bar Reserve
    Citico Creek Wilderness
    Citrus Wildlife Management Area
    Clarkesville
    Clayton
    Cleevland
    Cleveland
    Cloudland Canyon State Park
    Cohutta Wilderness
    Collier-Seminole State Park
    Cordele
    Cornelia
    Covington
    Crestview Area
    Crew-land-and-water-trust
    Cullowhee
    Cumberland Trail
    Dahlonega
    Dalton
    Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
    Dawsonville
    Dayton
    De Soto National Memorial
    DeSoto State Park
    Dillard
    Double Springs
    Ducktown
    Duncan Ridge Trail
    Dunlap
    Eagle's Rest Park
    Eastpoint
    Econfina Creek Wildife Management Area
    Eglin Air Force Base
    Elizabethton
    Elkins
    Elk Knob Game Lands
    Elk Park
    Ellicott Rock Wilderness
    Ellijay
    Emerson Point Preserve
    Englewood Area
    Enota Retreat
    Erwin
    Falling Waters State Park
    Fayetteville
    Fires Creek Recreation Area
    Fire Tower
    Flint River
    Florence Area
    Florida
    Florida Caverns State Park
    Florida Trail
    Foothills Trail
    Fort Mountain State Park
    Fort Myers Area
    Fort Payne
    Fort Payne Area
    Fort Yargo State Park
    Franklin
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park
    Franklin-Marion State Forest
    Frozen Head State Park
    Gainesville
    Gainesville Area
    Gatlinburg
    George Washington National Forest
    Georgia
    Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park
    Glasgow
    Gorges State Park
    Grandfather Mountain State Park
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Greeneville
    Green River Game Lands
    Gruetli-Laager
    Grundy Forest State Natural Area
    GTM Reserve
    Guana River Wildlife Management Area
    Hayesville
    Helen
    Hiawassee
    High Falls State Park
    Highlands
    Highlands Scenic Highway
    Hillsborough River State Park
    Hinson Conservation & Recreation Area
    Historic Sites
    Honeymoon Island State Park
    Hot Springs
    Huntington
    Inverness Area
    Jackson
    Jasper
    Jefferson National Forest
    Joan M. Durante Park
    Jonathan Dickinson State Park
    Jones Gap State Park
    Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness
    Joyce Kilmer - Slickrock Wilderness
    Juniper Prairie Wilderness
    Kelly Park
    Keown Falls Recreation Area
    Kolomoki Mounds State Park
    LaFayette
    Lake City Area
    Lake George Wild Forest
    Lake June-in-Winter State Park
    Lakeland Area
    Lake Placid
    Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area
    Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
    Laurel Fork North Wilderness
    Leffis Key Preserve
    Leon Sinks Geological Area
    Lexington
    Lineville
    Linville
    Linville Gorge Wilderness
    Lithia Springs
    Little Frog Wilderness
    Little Manatee River State Park
    Little River Canyon National Preserve
    Longboat Key
    Long Trail
    Lookout Mountain
    Lookout Mountain Battlefield
    Lovingston
    Lula Lake Land Trust
    Lumpkin
    Maggie Valley
    Manatee Springs State Park
    Marianna Area
    Mark Trail Wilderness
    Marlinton
    Mccaysville
    McMinville
    Mentone
    Middlesex
    Mistletoe State Park
    Monongahela National Forest
    Montreat
    Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
    Mountain City
    Mountains To Sea Trail
    Mountains-to-Sea Trail
    Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
    Myakka River State Park
    Myron B. Hodge City Park
    Nantahala National Forest
    Naples
    Naples Area
    Natural Bridge State Park
    Neal Preserve
    New Castle
    Newport
    New River Gorge National Park
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ocala Area
    Ocala National Forest
    Ocean-to-Lake Trail
    Oconee State Park
    Oconee Station Historic Site
    Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
    Oldsmar
    Oneida
    Orlando Area
    Ormond Beach
    Oscar Scherer State Park
    Oxford
    Palatka
    Palmetto Trail
    Panama City Area
    Panthertown Valley
    Parrish
    Paynes Creek Historic State Park
    Peaks Of Otter Recreation Area
    Pigeon Crockford Mountain Wildlife Management Area
    Pigeon-Crockford Mountain Wildlife Management Area
    Pigeon-Crockford Wildlife Management Area
    Pine Mountain
    Pinhoti Trail
    Pinnacle Park
    Pisgah Civitan Park
    Pisgah National Forest
    Pittman Center
    Pond Mountain Wilderness
    Ponds/Lakes
    Prentice Cooper State Forest
    Providence Canyon State Park
    Pumpkintown
    Quick Point Nature Preserve
    Raven Cliffs Wilderness
    Reed Bingham State Park
    Reliance
    Rice Creek Conservation Area
    Riverview Pointe Preserve
    Robbinsville
    Robinson Preserve
    Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area
    Rock Island State Park
    Rome
    Rosman
    Sale Creek
    Salem
    Salt Springs
    Saluda
    Santa Rosa Beach
    Sarasota
    Sarasota Area
    Savage Gulf State Natural Area
    Scenic Views
    Scottsboro Area
    Sebring Area
    Sewanee
    Sheltowee Trace Trail
    Shining Rock Wilderness
    Signal Mountain
    Sipsey Wilderness
    Sky Valley
    Smithgall Woods State Park
    Snowbird Backcountry Area
    Soddy Daisy
    Soddy-Daisy
    Sopchoppy
    South Carolina
    South Cumberland State Park
    Southeastern Cave Conservancy
    Southern Nantahala Wilderness
    Sparta
    Sprewell Bluff Park
    Spring City
    Spring Hill
    Springs
    Spruce Pine
    Standing Indian Backcountry Area
    St. Augustine
    St. George Island State Park
    St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve
    St. Marks Area
    St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
    Stone Mountain
    Stone Mountain Park
    Suches
    Sumatra
    Sumter National Forest
    Suwannee River
    Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area
    Sweetwater Creek State Park
    Sylva
    Talladega National Forest
    Tallahassee Area
    Tallulah Falls
    Tallulah Gorge State Park
    Tampa Bay Area
    Tate City
    Tate's Hell State Forest
    Tea Creek Wildlife Management Area
    Tellico Plains
    Tennessee
    Thomaston
    Toccoa
    Topsail Hill State Park
    Torreya State Park
    Townsend
    Tracy City
    Tray Mountain Wilderness
    Trenton
    Triple Creek Preserve
    Troutdale
    Unaka Mountain Wilderness
    Upper Tampa Bay County Park
    Venice
    Vermont
    Virgin Falls State Natural Area
    Virginia
    Virginia Outdoors Foundation
    Vogel State Park
    Wakulla Springs State Park
    Waleska
    Walhalla
    Wartburg
    Water Features
    Waynesville
    Weedon Island Preserve
    Weeki Wachee Preserve
    Wekiwa Springs State Park
    West Palm Beach Area
    West Virginia
    Whitehall
    White Springs
    Winder
    Withlacoochee State Forest
    Young Harris

    RSS Feed

TRAIL REPORTS

Hikes in Alabama
​Hikes in Florida
Hikes in Georgia
Hikes in North Carolina
Hikes in South Carolina
Hikes in Tennessee
Hikes in Virginia

Hiking Resources

Alabama Resources
​
Florida Resources
Georgia Resources
North Carolina Resources
​South Carolina Resources
​
Tennessee Resources

Other

Contact
Map of Hikes
Alphabetical List of Hikes
Southeast Nature Society
© COPYRIGHT 2014-2018
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Important: I disclaim any responsibility for any damage or personal injury that may occur as a result of the activities and information found on this website. All outdoor activities, especially off-trail hiking, are done at your own risk. Never hike or head into that area that may be above your fitness or experience level.
  • Home
  • Trail Reports
    • Best Hikes
    • Hikes with Scenic Views
    • Hikes with Water Features
    • Alabama
    • Georgia
    • Florida
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
  • Map
  • Hike List
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Southeast Nature Society
    • Our Team
  • Georgia Waterfalls Database