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Chattanooga, TN: Snow Falls
Head to 2,259-acre Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness to hike a stout 10.8-mile out-and-back along Richland Creek. Your rewards: Big views at Buzzard Point and Dunn Overlook, plus 35-foot Snow Falls.
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| Author: | Kelly Stewart |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Tennessee (TN) |
| Distance: | 10.8 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Morgan Springs |
| Rating: | Unrated |
This moderate, 10.8-mile dayhike in Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness traces a section of the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail and visits Snow Falls, a 35-foot waterfall that tumbles down rocky ledges into a narrow gorge. Begin the hike with a 0.8-mile out-and-back that follows a dirt road to one of the area's lesser-known features: coke ovens from the coal mining era.
After visiting the coke ovens, return to the parking lot and hike north along a former rail line that parallels Richland Creek. After 2.5 miles, cross a steel bridge over Laurel Creek, then turn left at a T-junction, heading north. (The trail on the right leads to Laurel Falls, which is not included in this map.) From here, the route drops to Henderson Creek, then ascends the walls of the gorge on a series of switchbacks.
At the top of the climb, turn left for a side trip to Buzzard Point (mile 4.6) before continuing north another mile to Dunn Overlook. Past Dunn Overlook, follow the trail 0.6 mile to the top of Snow Falls. Spend some time at this picturesque waterfall, then turn around and retrace your path to the parking lot.
MORE INFO: Laurel-Snow State Natural Area
-Mapped by Kelly Stewart, Nashville Hiking Meetup
TO TRAILHEAD: From US 27 and Walnut Grove Rd. in Dayton, TN, head west on Walnut Grove Rd. In 0.8 mile, bear left at Back Valley Rd. In 0.7 mile, turn right at Pocket Wilderness Rd. Go 0.9 mile to parking lot.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Snow Falls
| Dist: 10.77 mi | Points: 543 |
Points of Interest
LSP001
Location: 35.526210°, -85.021761°The trail starts from a dirt parking area on Pocket Wilderness Road.
LSP002
Location: 35.526034°, -85.021740°Begin the hike by exploring one of the area's lesser-known features: coke ovens from the coal mining era. From the parking lot, head away from the trailhead toward a dirt road on your right.
LSP003
Location: 35.525224°, -85.021901°Turn right onto a dirt road that follows the creek.
LSP004
Location: 35.523835°, -85.022351°Trail turns left into a kudzu jungle and travels away from the creek. Continue following the four-wheeler tracks.
LSP005
Location: 35.521137°, -85.022810°The path bears left toward the century-old coke ovens. Built into the ground, these "ovens" were used to heat mined coal up to 2,000 degrees to release the volatile parts of the coal. What remained was the desired coke, which was almost pure carbon.
LSP006
Location: 35.520938°, -85.022558°After exploring the coke ovens, turn around, retrace your steps to the parking lot, and continue north.
LSP007
Location: 35.526490°, -85.021927°Pass the trailhead kiosk beyond the parking lot. The start of the trail follows Richland Creek along former rail lines.
LSP008
Location: 35.527254°, -85.022358°Cross "Tiny Bridge," as it's referred to on trail maps. Ahead, cross a narrow bridge built on old railroad bridge supports.
LSP009
Location: 35.527983°, -85.022888°Trail continues its gradual ascent.
LSP010
Location: 35.541760°, -85.029674°The trail veers to the right at this signed junction and heads uphill.
LSP011
Location: 35.546151°, -85.029116°Take a hard left toward Snow Falls at the double white blaze. The trail on the right leads to Laurel Falls.
LSP012
Location: 35.546568°, -85.029843°Bear right to continue on the main trail. The path on the left leads to a camping area.
LSP013
Location: 35.548783°, -85.031782°The relatively flat trail follows the creek.
LSP014
Location: 35.545204°, -85.031658°Trail takes a hard right and begins ascent along switchbacks.
LSP015
Location: 35.541345°, -85.034904°Turn left and continue uphill toward Buzzard Point.
LSP016
Location: 35.540800°, -85.035274°The trail merges onto a dirt road.
LSP017
Location: 35.538958°, -85.032367°Rock outcropping provides overlook.
LSP018
Location: 35.537884°, -85.031101°The dirt road ends at Buzzard Point. Turn around, return to Waypoint 15, and turn left.
LSP019
Location: 35.548095°, -85.034145°Turn right at the junction for a quick side trip to Dunn Overlook.
LSP020
Location: 35.549023°, -85.037055°The path crosses a dirt road; continue along the main trail toward Snow Falls.
LSP021
Location: 35.546731°, -85.038999°Trail crosses a camping area.
LSP022
Location: 35.546487°, -85.038546°The trail ends at Snow Falls. Stay for awhile and explore the area above and below the falls. Next, turn around and retrace your route back to the trailhead.
Snow Falls
Location: 35.546491°, -85.038466°© Kelly Stewart
Entrance to Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness
Location: 35.516631°, -85.017850°Entrance to Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness off Back Valley Road. © Kelly Stewart
Parking Lot
Location: 35.526210°, -85.021724°© Kelly Stewart
Dirt Road
Location: 35.524198°, -85.022230°The dirt road follows the creek. © Kelly Stewart
Kudzu Jungle
Location: 35.523827°, -85.022260°© Kelly Stewart
Coke Ovens
Location: 35.520797°, -85.022676°© Kelly Stewart
Brick-Lined Coke Oven
Location: 35.520932°, -85.022512°Do not walk on top of the mounds as the earth may collapse. © Kelly Stewart
Trailhead Kiosk
Location: 35.526494°, -85.021858°Continue beyond parking lot to trailhead kiosk. The start of the trail follows Richland Creek along former rail lines. © Kelly Stewart
Second Bridge Crossing
Location: 35.527326°, -85.022381°© Kelly Stewart
Entrance to the Richland Mine
Location: 35.529384°, -85.023349°© Kelly Stewart
Bridge Supports
Location: 35.532462°, -85.024878°Visible from the trail, and accessible by a short side access, are remnants of bridge supports for the rail line from the mining operation. © Kelly Stewart
Spring
Location: 35.534106°, -85.024807°A spring flows off the ridge and across the trail. © Kelly Stewart
Bridge Crossing
Location: 35.539412°, -85.026938°© Kelly Stewart
Trail Junction
Location: 35.541769°, -85.029523°© Kelly Stewart
Bridge over Laurel Creek
Location: 35.546064°, -85.029180°Crossing a 50-foot steel bridge. © Kelly Stewart
Trail Junction
Location: 35.546570°, -85.029727°Bear right to continue on the main trail. © Kelly Stewart
Nearing Henderson Creek
Location: 35.550232°, -85.031524°The trail rounds a boulder as it approaches Henderson Creek. © Kelly Stewart
Bridge over Henderson Creek
Location: 35.550175°, -85.031696°A hiker crosses the 150-foot steel bridge over Henderson Creek. © Kelly Stewart
Rift in Rock
Location: 35.541712°, -85.034724°Enter rift in rock and continue climbing. © Kelly Stewart
Dirt Road
Location: 35.540800°, -85.035135°© Kelly Stewart
Buzzard Point
Location: 35.537884°, -85.030982°While hikers lunch, a storm brews over Buzzard Point. © Kelly Stewart
Clearing
Location: 35.547059°, -85.034856°Trail opens to a clearing under powerlines. © Kelly Stewart
Trail Junction
Location: 35.548098°, -85.034107°Turn right toward Dunn Overlook. © Kelly Stewart
Dunn Overlook
Location: 35.547722°, -85.033780°Rainy panorama at Dunn Overlook. © Kelly Stewart
Morgan Creek
Location: 35.547225°, -85.039566°Take care crossing Morgan Creek on your way to Snow Falls. © Kelly Stewart
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