Laural Fork Gorge and the Pond Mountain Wilderness

The Appalachian Trail passes through this unique area known as the Laural Fork Gorge inside the Pond Mountain Wilderness. In the Laural Fork Gorge are big rock cliffs, a rugged flowing river and the majestic Laurel Fork Falls. The falls are 40 feet high and 50 feet wide. The trail feels very different than the ridge walking you have been doing for so many miles. Access is easy for day hikers so this is a very popular touristy type area, even though it is considered a wilderness area.

Going northbound, after you get past the falls and scenic stuff, the Appalachian Trail goes up and over Pond Mountain. You also have the option to just continue down the gorge trail and enter into the town of Hampton, Tennessee for a re-supply. This spot is the most controversial yellow blaze of the trail. Because once you re-supply in Hampton, it is extremely easy to just start back on the trail on the other side of Pond Mountain at Watauga Lake. The AT seems to just go up and back down Pond Mountain for no reason, without even reaching the summit. One person told me the purpose for the trail location was to protect the mountain and gain more wilderness area. The old AT just went through Hampton.

I did not re-supply in Hampton. I noticed immediately upon starting the climb up Pond Mountain that there was considerable less traffic on the trail and did not understand how all the leaves on the trail had not been scrapped off by people walking. It was only later I learned that most hikers skip hiking over Pond Mountain. Unbelievable, but it was just the first of several sections I would come to find out. The Appalachian Trail next got to its mountain highpoint where some camps were located and I found a good spot to camp with cell service just before total darkness. The next morning, I dropped down off the mountain and reached the Watauga Reservoir and swimming area. It was here that I soaked my feet for a long time and from this point on my feet seemed to improve on my thru-hike after the early disaster with the trail runners.