Backpacker

18 10.MAP ILLUSTRATION BY HANNA HOLLMEYER``````Turn-by-turnFrom the parking area(^1) Pick up the CumberlandTrail and follow RichlandCreek 1.3 miles to a junction.(^2) Veer east (hiker’s right)onto a set of steepswitchbacks and continue.mile on the main path to theHenderson Creek Campsite.(At press time, the bridge overLaurel Creek near mile 1.8 wasunusable; prepare to ford. Itshould be lower than kneeheight in October.)(^3) Next day, stage a 5.8-mile,round-trip day mission to35-foot Snow Falls via theCumberland Trail.(^4) From camp, return to thetrailhead by the same route.CampsiteHenderson CreekCampsite (mile 2)If weather allows, ditch thefly to truly savor this large,hickory-and-oak-shadedspot as leaves flutter downto your tent. From the primelocation, you’re also inposition to tackle day trips to35-foot Snow Falls (as per theitinerary) and 80-foot LaurelFalls (1.2 miles east on theLaurel Creek Falls Trail).FoliageEmbrace the medley of oaks,maples, sumacs, hickories,and sweet gums on a .5-mile,one-way detour off the daytrip to Snow Falls (step 3 inthis itinerary). Buzzard Pointstretches like a diving boardover the Cumberland Valley,awash in autumn colors.Foliage here tends to peakaround the third or fourthweek of October, but callahead to check.Campfire storyA network of abandonedmining tunnels from the late1800s snakes through theunderbelly of this area. TheDixon Slope Mine is just eastof the trail near mile .3, andrumor has it that voices andlaughter can still be heardechoing from its depths. Note:The abandoned mines arestructurally unstable; do notenter.DO ITTRAILHEAD35.525912, -85.021924;3 miles north of Daytonon Pockett WildernessRd. SEASON Year-roundPERMIT None CUSTOMMAPSnow ($15) CONTACTbit.do/laurel-snow-snaGold RushLaurel-Snow StateNatural Area, TennesseeI scan down the bridge to where the path disappearsinto a palette of warm reds, oranges, and yellows.It’s the sort of scene that would cause a bumper-to-bumper jam on the scenic roads, but I’ve got this oneto myself. I’ve barely left the trailhead, and alreadythe Laurel-Snow reveals its secrets in the gums, oaks,and maples that fan out in either direction of PrairieCreek. Better yet: Those hardwoods hide limestone caves and year-round waterfalls.And I only have to go another 2 miles to see it all. I tighten my pack straps and keepwalking. It’s time to see what’s on the other side. BY HEATHER BALOGH ROCHFORT10WEEKENDS2 of 3play listSee in full color.Though certain places are more famous for fall foliage, you can find fiery color all over the Lower 48.Use this map to see when each region typically peaks and what leaves you can expect.Trip statsDistance: 11.2 miles(out and back)Time: 2 daysDifficulty:11LARCHTRY 8-mile TronsenRidge Loop, Okanogan-Wenatchee NationalForest, WAWHITE BIRCHTRY 6.1-mile Matt Willis-YellowBirch Loop, George H. CrosbyManitou State Park, MNASPENTRY 6-mile Horse Ranch Park Loop,Gunnison National Forest, COSUGAR MAPLETRY 7-mile Wildcat RiverTrail, White MountainNational Forest, NHAMERICAN BEECHTRY 1-mile Barnum Brook Trail,Adirondack Park, NYBLACK GUMTRY 3.1-mile Farlow Gap Trail,Pisgah National Forest, NCSASSAFRASTRY 3.8-mile Iron Hill Loop, RedTop Mountain State Park, GALate September Early October Mid-October Late October Early NovemberLimestone outcroppingon the Cumberland Trail