Great Smoky Mountains - Abram's Falls

 ABRAM'S FALLS

One of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is Abram's Falls located in the Cades Cove area of the park near Townsend Tennessee.

The trailhead is located off the Cades Cove loop.  At Stop #10, just across a small bridge, there is an access road and large parking area.  From reviews, this trail can get very social...so we got there early on a Friday morning.  

 The trail is listed at 2.52 miles to the base of the falls...Of course, mountain miles are always longer than flatland miles...I recorded a 2.80 hike from my car in the parking lot to the base of the falls.  The Trail begins with the first of six water crossings. 

Abram's Creek flows alongside the length of the trail and provides many forest vistas and opportunities to fly fish the fast flowing waters.

The trail is easily divided into three sections broken by manageable but moderately hard climbs...especially if you hike on a warm morning in the middle of July...the distance is deceiving...the hills make you earn the view on the way in and pay for it on the way out.

The trail is wide, generally smooth but strewn with
rock.  If you take plenty of water and take your time and you can make the hike without issues.  We saw way too many people without water and with small children.  I don't think they were ready for the trail and actualy feared for their well being.

Interspersed between the hills are wonderful creek crossings.  Tributaries flowing in the main creek required bridging and the trail builders created one way log bridges...fortunately with a nice and sturdy handrail. 

Not exactly the halfway point but a good stopping point nonetheless is the peak of the last hill before the descent to the falls.  This peak is marked by a large rock formation.  This is a great way to stop and take a breather.  The descent down is steep and longer than expected.  

At the bottom of the hill is the next to last bridge and from there you can hear the massive roar of the nearby waterfall.

The waterfall is very striking...immediately you notice the power of the flow as the water is forced between two solid rock walls. I stopped to take in the view from a distance while others played near the falls.  Framed by an overhanging tree, I sat on a river rock and marveled at the remarkable display of nature's beauty and power.

There were only three other parties of hikers at the falls when we arrived...maybe 10 other folks...and each took their turn taking photos next to the falls.  The roar was deafening but one thing that was apparent, the waterfall is not very tall, maybe 25 feet tall.  Nevertheless is was an imposing sight.

The waterfall is framed by solid rock walls.  One of the most picturesque waterfalls we have seen.  Check out this video and you will understand what I am describing: 

"A waterfall cannot be silent, just as wisdom. When they speak the voice of power speaks"-                        Mehmet Murat IIdan

We could have stayed for hours at this waterfall.  There were not many people with us and most were doing as we were.  One lady even sat the base of the waterfall in a yoga pose meditating...I took several pictures which I have made into a collage

We met a wonderful family from Iowa.  I gave them my card and told them I would make them famous.  I hope they enjoyed their first day in the Great Smokies as much as we enjoyed our second day!  But remember what I said about the trail making you pay for the view you earned on the way in by the hike out...and you know how much I hate steps!

The hike out begins with a nearly a half mile incline.  Not overly steep but constant.  Two more smaller inclines follow. On a hot day if you have not hydrated, this part of the trail will not be fun.  But taking your time it is a very manageable hike out.  And remember that big rock...you will stop for a breather coming out, I guarantee you will need it!

So how do I rate this hike?  It is a good one!  Access is easy...just get on the Cades Cove Loop and look for the sign to the right after you cross a small bridge... just past stop #9...large parking lot next to the trail head...it would be a solid ten but for the terribly maintained pit toilets...so let's give it a 9...the trail is well marked and maintained so give it a 10....the scenery is spectacular espcially with the trail following the creek from above...the effort to view ratio is danged near perfect!  Clean up the pit toilets and this would be a solid 10 hike!

Listen to my commentary....it should tell you what you need to know about this hike!

"There is a waterfall in every dream.  Cool and crystal clear, it falls gently on the sleeper, cleansing the mind and soothing the soul" - Virginia Alison