GROTTO FALLS


I'm sure there's got to be a few people who read this that will have been to this falls at one time or other. But just in case you haven't this is a waterfall well work the walk to see. The trailhead is on the Roaring Fork Auto Trail out of Gatlinburg. (Just turn at stoplight #8 and head up the mountain.) The trail itself is 1.4 miles long to the falls but if you've got a whole day to hike you can go all the way to the top of Mt. LeConte. (You have to have reservations to stay at the lodge on top. I haven't made that climb yet but want to very badly.)

Anyway the trail up really isn't that bad but it's rated as a moderately difficult trail. When you get to the falls, though, you'll find it well worth your muscle soreness later. The falls is between 20 and 30 feet tall. You can even go back underneath of it on the backside as the trail takes you inside the small grotto there.
What makes this water unique is that in a way it creates its own air conditioning system. While most of the trail was in the upper 70's to low eighties at the bottom, the temp here was in the upper 60's (68 or 69). The cold mountain water cooled the air around it. The wind from the falling water created its own little breeze to spread that air around inside this small little pocket of rock. It was a very popular place while we were there and I could see why. You've got the soothing sound of the rushing water, cooler air, and lots of big rocks to sit on to take it all in. Why would you want to leave???!!!
Oh.....I did get the wife Peggy to go up with me on this one. She doesn't hike much but she did the whole 2.8. She was a little slow at times but I was the same way when I first started doing this too. The last hike I had her on was a 2.6 miler. We got a little farther this time. Maybe before long I'll have her on a big hike........%-)