Best Waterfall Hike To Avoid Crowds In The Smoky Mountains | Middle Prong Trail

[@cruffing409]

My family and I decided to go on this hike after seeing this video. It was on a weekend during the busy summer season, and we still had the waterfall to ourselves for nearly 30 minutes. The trail and waterfall were beautiful. Thank you very much for the advice.

[@thegratefulhiker]

You're so welcome. I'm glad you got to experience this beautiful hike. Cheers!

[@hh5684]

It is a beautiful hike. Well worth the effort. It is not quite as advertised in the video however. It is 4.1 miles to Indian Flats Falls with a steady incline the whole way. Sometimes gradual, sometimes slightly more steep. I would rate this as moderate rather than for beginners. If someone is in descent shape, endurance, and has a good pair of hiking boots, this trail is for you. If you are a beginner with no experience, out of shape, and don’t have good boots or hiking shoes, build up to this hike. Also, Indian Flats Falls is truly hidden. It is not on the main trail and there is no sign telling you to take a small trail to the falls. Too, that small trail is challenging for anyone with poor balance or with physical challenges. Be prepared with water, a first aid kit, moleskin, snacks and enjoy it when ready. It really is worth it, but it isn’t a stroll in the park. It is 8.2 miles of rocks, gravel, sand, roots BUT INCREDIBLE SCENERY!

[@thegratefulhiker]

Good info you provided. But did you watch my entire video? LOL. I gave that info - I stated that it's 8 miles roundtrip if you go the while way. I said that Indian Falls is off the main trail, etc. Check out the 7:10 mark. I even described exactly what to look for to get to the side trail (the bridge, the switchbacks, etc). This was all in the video. It's a beautiful trail and I have guided groups on this hike dozens of times to Indian Flat Falls. I've had beginners, kids, etc do it. A beginner can do a moderate hike. Whether a trail is easy, moderate, difficult, strenuous, etc is always subjective and each person will have a different viewpoint. Thank you.

[@crazycoollady]

As someone who likes hiking and mountains, this video was quite helpful.

[@PilgrimPiper]

Very nice video. We have been to the Smokies a dozen times and have not done this hike but have it on our radar for October. So many beautiful spots. Enjoy peaceful days

[@thegratefulhiker]

Enjoy the Smokies in October and let me know what you think of this hike! Do you have a favorite trail in the Smokies?

[@moodypet8837]

Beautiful

[@thegratefulhiker]

Thank you!

[@nancymcdaniel4733]

Nice video! Ive never hiked this trail before and would love to see it. I wish you would have shown us the unmarked trail and switchbacks we need to take to get to the end.

[@thegratefulhiker]

Great idea. You can't miss it though!

[@hmongCAM]

Wow!! That looks like a beautiful trail. We will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing. Liked and subscribed ❤❤❤

[@thegratefulhiker]

You're welcome. Thank you for supporting this channel with a like and a subscribe. 🙏

[@DeborahClaypool]

Well it is not a secret anymore is it???

[@thegratefulhiker]

I don't mind sharing the beauty of this hike with others!

[@patrickferrara6668]

Hi great video! We are going (went in 2021) again May of 2024. First, I want to do this trail - i know it is called middle prong trail - to go to lynn camp falls how long is the drive to get to the trail head from gatlinburg. And you may know this - i was looking for a trail with a waterfall in 2021, cant remember the name, drove around for quite a while before I found a small sign for the trail. Went on it and was alone the whole way - maybe a few people, cannot remember. Beautiful trail. At the end the water was great. Really tall and there was a ledge about halfway up we climbed up to and took pictures. I want to do this one again - any idea which one this could have been - I know I have not given you much to go on. TKS!

[@thegratefulhiker]

It depends a little bit on where in Gatlinburg you'll be, but I'd say roughly a 45-55 minute drive. You can map where you are staying to the Tremont Institute, and then the trailhead is another 3 miles past that.

[@AaratiAgrawal-e9d]

what's a switchback? Would it be hard for someone who is scared of heights?

[@thegratefulhiker]

No this isn't difficult for someone scared of heights. A switchback is a trail that cuts sharply from one direction to the other while going up. For this hike, it's not that much of a switchback since you're not going up much. The term switchback is usually used when climbing a pretty steep mountain.

[@Lt.Fireguy]

Is biking allowed on these trails

[@thegratefulhiker]

Hi! No you can't bike on this trail, although you can bike on the road these leads to the trailhead, which is quite beautiful, along the Little River.

[@downsouth2158]

I hope that kid at 3:04 was not under your care as a guide. That sluice is very dangerous and he had no business being in that location.

[@jellomonster531]

That’s considered very dangerous to you? 😂

[@bradsbobcat2550]

Please leave. Heard there’s some cool stuff in Pennsylvania.

[@thegratefulhiker]

Grateful for your comment.

[@austinstitzel]

I'm gonna guess that you are a Scorpio.

[@thegratefulhiker]

I'm not!

[@austinstitzel]

@@thegratefulhiker What is your actual sign?

[@thegratefulhiker]

@@austinstitzel I'm a Taurus!