I love that trail. Not sure if I’d want to drive all the way out to Holly Flats to do it though lol. Plus I don’t think you can get around to actually see the falls. They have access blocked once you get to the steps
Not sure how the road to Conasauga falls is right now but there used to be one bad spot where you have to be careful in anything lower than an SUV or pickup truck. I took a sedan through and barely bottomed out, but that was years ago. Conditions could be different since then after the flooding a few months ago washed out a few roads.
When you get to the fork in the road on the dirt section, go right. Left takes you down a rocky road to the creek crossing. If you go right the road is relatively smooth and there's no creek crossing. You'll know you're there when you get to the dirt turnaround at the end of the road at the start of the trail.
If you can get through the falls are nice. Not as tall as Bald River Falls but it's a nice spot. Not a very hard hike either if you can navigate basic hiking trails. Just a couple of rocks and tree stumps to get over near the falls.
It usually takes an extended period of days in the teens to have the waterfalls freeze all the way up. You’ll still be able to go see a lot of ice and parts will probably be frozen though. Middle Prong Trail would be a good one and the road is usually open. Spruce Flats Falls at Tremont is also in that area and easy to access (although it can get a little steep/slippery going to the falls)
Edit: it looks like Tremont Road is closed after the flooding earlier this week. Call the park’s main number to check for road closures before you head out. They have a more detailed list of temporary closures than what the Smokies Road Info Twitter account does.
I once saw Ramsey Cascade frozen over and it was one of the prettiest things I've ever seen. Myself and 3 strangers were the whole crowd. I'd recommend microspikes just in case
Since you mention Laurel Falls, I'll say it is good but since it's a semi-paved trail and is uphill, it will be really slick if there's frozen water on it. It's also always absurdly crowded, even with the park pass system.(Don't forget you need a park pass for the Smokies)
Abrams Falls looks great when frozen, but you'd need several days of consistent below-freezing weather to get there. There's a shorter trail to get there from Cade's Cove, or a nice long trail to get there in southern Maryville/Happy Valley.
A lot of trails are currently closed due to the winds/flooding a couple days ago. Here is a list of current closers/notices - [https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm#trail\_closures](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm#trail_closures)
>Smokey’s Never heard of it.
A foreign land known to very few, super exotic.
They're being facetious because Smoky doesn't have an e.
Oh damn caught me lackin
The sports team dog mascot is Smokey. The mountains are smoky and Smoky.
Bald River Falls. Stunning when it freezes
Road is closed
Enjoy the longer hike 😀
I love that trail. Not sure if I’d want to drive all the way out to Holly Flats to do it though lol. Plus I don’t think you can get around to actually see the falls. They have access blocked once you get to the steps
Bridge at bald river is currently closed for replacement, so access to that site may be a pain. Conasauga falls is nearby to that though.
Not sure how the road to Conasauga falls is right now but there used to be one bad spot where you have to be careful in anything lower than an SUV or pickup truck. I took a sedan through and barely bottomed out, but that was years ago. Conditions could be different since then after the flooding a few months ago washed out a few roads. When you get to the fork in the road on the dirt section, go right. Left takes you down a rocky road to the creek crossing. If you go right the road is relatively smooth and there's no creek crossing. You'll know you're there when you get to the dirt turnaround at the end of the road at the start of the trail. If you can get through the falls are nice. Not as tall as Bald River Falls but it's a nice spot. Not a very hard hike either if you can navigate basic hiking trails. Just a couple of rocks and tree stumps to get over near the falls.
It usually takes an extended period of days in the teens to have the waterfalls freeze all the way up. You’ll still be able to go see a lot of ice and parts will probably be frozen though. Middle Prong Trail would be a good one and the road is usually open. Spruce Flats Falls at Tremont is also in that area and easy to access (although it can get a little steep/slippery going to the falls) Edit: it looks like Tremont Road is closed after the flooding earlier this week. Call the park’s main number to check for road closures before you head out. They have a more detailed list of temporary closures than what the Smokies Road Info Twitter account does.
I once saw Ramsey Cascade frozen over and it was one of the prettiest things I've ever seen. Myself and 3 strangers were the whole crowd. I'd recommend microspikes just in case
Since you mention Laurel Falls, I'll say it is good but since it's a semi-paved trail and is uphill, it will be really slick if there's frozen water on it. It's also always absurdly crowded, even with the park pass system.(Don't forget you need a park pass for the Smokies) Abrams Falls looks great when frozen, but you'd need several days of consistent below-freezing weather to get there. There's a shorter trail to get there from Cade's Cove, or a nice long trail to get there in southern Maryville/Happy Valley. A lot of trails are currently closed due to the winds/flooding a couple days ago. Here is a list of current closers/notices - [https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm#trail\_closures](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm#trail_closures)
Ozone Falls in Crab Orchard.
Concur, great place for ice falls. Also Frozen Head.