April 11th, 2009 - I started at the blue-blaze trail cutting brush and then climbed Pond Mountain about two-thirds of the way up to cut the blowdown seen in the photos below.  I hadn't been there 5 minutes when Jake came up from the other side of the mountain to help me.  After clearing the blowdown we both return down the south side of Pond together to get back to our cars.   

Before

Total Miles Hiked:  6.0   

Getting There (to Laurel Falls from Dennis Cove):  

Driving - From Elizabethton, take 19E toward Hampton, TN.  Turn onto Highway 321, which is the main road through Hampton that goes toward Watauga Lake and Mountain City.  Drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead/parking area on the right.  You'll see a brown sign that marks the parking area.    

Trails - The trailhead will be through the gate from the parking area.  You will follow the blue-blazes for one mile until you reach a junction marking the Appalachian Trail.  At this point, take a left (north) on the A.T. and climb Pond Mountain.  In 6 miles you'll reach the highway 321 at the Shook Branch Recreation area.