As the fall weather rolls through the mountains of Johnson City, members of the ETSU community reminisce on the beauty of their summer explorations through waterfalls and off-the-trail hikes.
With such free time in the summer, students were able to explore areas they normally wouldn’t be able to during the busyness of the school year. Isaiah Hart, a senior ETSU student, encouraged busy individuals to take time to venture off the beaten path of life and explore areas of Johnson City they normally would not have the opportunity for.
During the summer months, Hart explored many areas of the Appalachian Trail, including the beautiful Laurel Fork Falls. The waterfall is located in the Cherokee National Forest and is a mere thirty minutes from the heart of ETSU’s campus, residing in Hampton, Tennessee.
With such a short drive for an absolutely beautiful destination, it’s no wonder that Hart is fully encouraging students and staff to “take a hike” and explore the scenic route. Featuring a breathtaking drive up the mountain and small waterfalls along the trail itself, Laurel Falls is a favorite for many hikers in the Johnson City area.
“Laurel Fork Falls has lots of terrain changes which makes it one of my favorite hikes,” said Hart, “the trail also follows a creek which makes for a beautiful trip up through the woods.”
The hike itself is four miles round trip, yet there is a shorter way to access the waterfall through Dennis Cove. It makes for a perfect for a day trip, so make sure to bring proper provisions along.
“You get to climb over big boulders and cross over little runoffs that ends in the best reward: the waterfall itself,” Hart said.
Laurel Fork Falls is just one of the many beautiful waterfalls in the Johnson City area, ranging from a hike of a few feet to a few miles.
“I love the sheer variety of trails in the area and how quickly you can access them,” said Hart, “there’s also an abundance of plants and fungi on the Appalachian Trails, which is something I love to explore while I’m in the woods.”
If you would like to learn more about Laurel Fork Falls or additional trails in the area, please visit the USDA Forest Service website.
