Abrams Falls - Hike Abrams Falls Trail in the Smoky Mountains

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Abrams Falls
Trail Features:		Waterfalls
Trail Location:		Cades Cove
Roundtrip Miles:		5.0 miles
Total Elevation Gain:		340 feet
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile:		136 feet
Highest Elevation:		1710 feet
Trail Difficulty Rating:		5.68 (moderate)
Parking Lot Latitude:
Parking Lot Longitude:

Directions to Trailhead:

The hike to Abrams Falls begins from a field at stop number ten on the Cades Cove Loop Rd. To reach the Abrams Falls trailhead, drive five miles on the Cades Cove Loop Road and, after crossing Abrams Creek, turn right on a gravel road which runs through a grassy field. Park at the back of the field where there are signs and a marvelous wooden bridge that mark the beginning of the trail.

Trail Description:

The October 2008 issue of Backpacker Magazine listed the top 10 most dangerous hikes in America. The list was developed using casualty statistics as a result of lightning, altitude, extreme weather, drowning as well as several other measures.

Some of the trails you would naturally suspect to be on the list were all there; such as the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and the Mist Trail up to Half Dome in Yosemite.

However, one trail that caught me by surprise was none other than Abrams Falls. The magazine ranked this trail as the ninth most dangerous trail in the country as a result of high exposure to drowning and hypothermia hazards. The article cited 29 deaths on this trail since 1971 as a result of water related accidents.

"All sorts of unknown hazards lie at the bottom of our streams and waterfalls," warns Bob Miller, park spokesman. Strong currents beneath the falls have swept capable swimmers into unseen traps, and slick rocks have tripped many unsuspecting hikers into the chilly depths.

Needless to say, proper precautions should be heeded while on this trail.

The path from the Cades Cove valley floor to Abrams Falls weaves around the many ridges in the area, all the while roughly following Abrams Creek. It traverses pine-oak forest along the ridges, and hemlock and rhododendron forest closer to the creek.

The 5 mile roundtrip hike to Abrams Falls is relatively short and is considered to be moderate in difficulty, as attested by the trails popularity which attracts nearly 1000 visitors per day during peak season.

Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over the cliff more than makes up for its lack of height. In fact, Abrams Falls is the most voluminous waterfall in the park. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque; however, due to strong currents and an undertow, swimming here is extremely dangerous.

The waterfall and the creek are named after Cherokee Chief Abram (or Abraham) whose village once stood several miles downstream.