Waterfall Hero Hikes: Laurel Fork Falls (Pond Mountain)

Laurel Fork Falls, also called Laurel Falls, is a 60-foot waterfall on its namesake in Carter County, Tennessee. The waterfall is located in Pond Mountain Wilderness.

Hike Length: 4.6 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Pond Mountain Wilderness (Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 36.28566,-82.15216
Waterfall GPS: 36.27261,-82.13474

Directions:

From Elizabethton, head south on US-19 E/US-321 for about 5 miles to Hampton. In Hampton, turn left on US-321 south and go 1.3 miles to the Laurel Fork Trailhead on the right.

Map:

Hike Description:

The hike to the falls begins past the parking lot on the blue-blazed Blueline Trail (#501). The trail heads up a ridge over Laurel Fork and enters Pond Mountain Wilderness. The trail runs though a scenic gorge area and ends in about a mile at the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (#1). Go straight/right and continue to follow the creek upstream. There's some moderate up and down and but nothing too tough. And the hike is very scenic. At 2.3 miles from the trailhead, the trail begins to head up from the gorge at the waterfall.