Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307
Conasauga
Falls Stroll
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Brief Description: The short 2/3 mile trail to the Falls is a descent of close to 400 feet in elevation. The trail is in good condition, but has a rocky footing with switchbacks. Recent Forest Service improvements to the trail include handrails where needed and steps at the bottom. Unless you are in good physical condition, hiking back out will take a few rest stops. However, with the recent rains and projected rains this week, the Falls should be spectacular and well worth the visit. Of course pets are welcome, but may not enjoy the hike; especially if the temperature gets to the expected upper 80’s.
Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: maybe 300 feet on the return trip to the car
Hike Leader: Marc Bernatti. If you plan to come, call Marc Bernatti at 423-261-2573 or email merlgwen@tds.net. Please be aware that cell phone service is often not available in these remote locations.
Directions to the Trailhead:
Directions to the carpool: we’ll meet up at Hardee’s right off Highway 68 in Tellico Plains at 2:00 p.m. The address of the Hardee’s is 127 Bank St. From Cleveland/Athens/Benton: take Highway 411 or Highway 30 to Etowah. From Etowah take Highway 310/Mecca Pike toward the east. (The turn onto Highway 310 is between the 8th Street/Highway 411 intersection and the Highway 30/411 intersection in Etowah). Continue on Highway 310 until it merges with Highway 39; the road is still called Mecca Pike. Continue on Highway 39 into Tellico Plains until you reach Highway 68, then turn right on Highway 68. Go a very short way; the Hardee’s will be visible to your left. If you have passed the Cherohala Skyway intersection, you have gone too far. Note: it can take at least an hour and a half from Cleveland to get to Tellico Plains!
Directions to the Falls from Hardee’s: if you want to skip the carpool, get to the Tellico Plains Hardee’s, and then go south on Highway 68 for 3 miles. Then take the right turn to the Falls just as the road widens to 3 lanes; this point is well marked by the US Forest Service sign. Drive 2.2 miles and turn right on Forest Service Road 314A. The parking area and Trail Head #170 is 0.6 miles after that right turn onto FS 314A.
Directions for anyone coming north on Highway 68 from Ducktown: if you don’t want to bother to get to the Hardee’s first, do this just before you get to Tellico Plains on Highway 68. Look for the US Forest Service sign on the left just as you get to the bottom of the mountain and the 3 lanes go back down to 2. Wait on us there or go on to the parking area by Trail Head #170 as described above.
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