Laurel-Snow Segment
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CUMBERLAND TRAIL
Laurel-Snow Segment |
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This 32-mile segment currently has 5.5 miles open. The
segment will incorporate the existing Laurel-Snow Bowater Pocket
Wilderness Trail and its two outstanding waterfalls.
Richland, Henderson, and Laurel Creeks enhance this
watershed experience. The open trail is one of the Bowater Pocket Wilderness trails in Tennessee built by Bowater to provide hiking and recreation to the public. The Pocket Wildernesses offer established, heavily-visited trail systems that provide superb feeders into the Cumberland Trail. One of the Cumberland Trail's most active private sector supporters, Bowater generously donated 30 miles of trail corridor including this and other Bowater Pocket Wilderness Areas to the State in 2007 so that they would become part of the Tennessee State Park system.
Length: 32 miles; rating: moderate. The trail will travel
along the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau, connecting
the watersheds of many creeks, and giving the hiker access to
waterfalls in any season, as well as a fine show of spring wildflowers.
Location: The current Laurel-Snow Trailhead is located on the west
side Dayton (2.5 miles from town), in an isolated hollow on Richland Creek. Parking is ample
and water is plentiful year-round.
The primary focus of this segment is the 710-acre Bowater Laurel-Snow
Wilderness (Tennessee's first National Recreational Trail). The natural area contains a section of gorges deeply cut into Walden Ridge of the Cumberland Plateau by Morgan, Henderson, Laurel and Richland Creeks. The site is named after two scenic waterfalls, Laurel Falls (80 feet) and Snow Falls (35 feet). The area also features scenic creeks, overlooks, steep gorges, geologic features, a small stand of virgin timber, and a wide variety of plants and animals.
Logging and deep mining took place in some portions of the area in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some remnants of mining activities can still be seen along the trail. Part of Henderson Creek was dammed to serve as the Dayton Reservoir and water supply for the town of Dayton. The low dam across the stream can still be seen although water is no longer collected for the town.
A day-hiker can easily access both
waterfalls with an 8 mile hike. However, either waterfall can be visited with no
more than a 6-mile day-hike. After leaving the Wilderness, the remaining 20+
miles of this segment will be in rugged country with limited access and no resupply
points.
| Location | GPS Waypoint in WGS 84 format |
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| Trailhead | N35 31.566 W85 01.310 |
| Richland Mine | N35 31.773 W85 01.382 |
| 50 Foot Bridge | N35 32.758 W85 01.767 |
| Laurel Falls | N35 32.841 W85 01.450 |
| 150 Foot Bridge | N35 33.001 W85 01.912 |
| Snow Falls | N35 32.792 W85 02.312 |
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You are REQUIRED
to register to camp and/or park after sunset at the trailheads. There is no fee. The information you provide will help us to provide security and also to determine if there is a need to expand the camping area and provide designated campsites in order to enhance your hiking and camping experience. As people discover this spectacular area, public use is increasing rapidly.
To register your group on-line, please complete the
ONLINE GORGES CAMPSITE REGISTRATION FORM.
You will automatically be emailed a copy of your submission for your records. A confirmation code will be supplied upon submission of the online form. Please be prepared to supply this confirmation code to the Park Ranger if asked.
To register your group by phone, please call 423-566-2253 and give the information required on the online registration form by phone.
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