Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Rainbow Falls

Waterfall aficionados: This challenging 5.2-mile route traces a tumbling creek, then passes under an old-growth forest to one of the park's highest cascades.

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Author:	kevinsuther
Date:	6 Apr 2010 4:46:01 AM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Tennessee (TN)
Distance:	2.61 mi (Change units)
Survey Elevation:	Total Gain: 2241 ft Total Loss: 687 ft Net Change: 1554 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Waterfall Hikes
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Mapped by Stephen Wilkinson

TO TRAILHEAD: From Gatlinburg, TN, turn S onto Airport Rd.(becomes Cherokee Orchard Rd.) and drive into park. In 3 mi., turn R @ Loop Rd. and follow signs .5 mi. to parking area for Rainbow Falls.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

RBT01

Distance: 2.61 mi	Points: 389	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Rainbow Falls

Points of Interest

RBT001

Location: 35.675541, -83.485451
Go WSW from Cherokee Orchard onto one of the earliest-known trails leading to Mt. Le Conte (6,593 ft.)

RBT002

Location: 35.672451, -83.484077
Meet up Rainbow Falls Trail along Le Conte Creek, once called Mill Creek because of the grist mills that operated along its inhabited banks

RBT003

Location: 35.670349, -83.482407
Slowly stride through a shady stand of hemlocks and mixed hardwoods

RBT004

Location: 35.668545, -83.479431
Trail twists away from creek on tight switchbacks to an exposed ridge below the steep gully formation of Scratch Britches

RBT005

Location: 35.666996, -83.476860
Hit 3,400-ft. contour and continue climbing on N side of ravine

RBT006

Location: 35.663719, -83.471672
Cross log footbridge

RBT007

Location: 35.663952, -83.469872
Another footbridge; trail dips back into creekbed, then rises sharply

RBT008

Location: 35.661037, -83.471169
Hear rumble of falls on last uphill push. Falls and cliff face come into view rounding a bend in the mountain

RBT009

Location: 35.660709, -83.468071
Rainbow Falls drops 80 ft. over a series of ledges into crystal blue pools. Camera trick: Position yourself between the sun and the misty falls at a 40-degree angle and a small rainbow will likely appear for your photos. Return to trailhead