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 Drive
the 5.1 mile loop Roaring Fork Motor Trail in your car. The trail is shaded
by the trees and a cool breeze drifts from the Roaring Fork River nearby.
Straight through the drive time is approximately 45 minutes, but this
does not allow for stopping and enjoying the many historical homesteads,
mill, and overlooks. The trail mainly follows Roaring Fork River, a classic
mountain stream. Upon entering you will immediately be surrounded by the
butterflies flying past your car and you begin to hear the sound of the
running stream while you pass logs covered with moss on your drive through
the shaded forest.
The first major stop on the trail is Grotto Falls, a spectacular waterfall.
The Trillium Gap Trail begins at the parking lot for the falls and ends
on top of Mt. Le Conte. After a 1.3 mile hike through a virgin forest
of hemlock trees you will discover onto Grotto Falls. You may continue
climbing another four miles rising up about 3,400 feet to the summit of
Mt. Le Conte.
 In
additional to the magnificent waterfall, you will also have the opportunity
to see several historic buildings as you continue down Roaring Fork Motor
Trail. Nine children were raised in the small two-room cabin of Ephraim
and Minerva Bales. Here you can walk throughout their farm and imagine
trying to feed, clothe and shelter a family on a real mountainside. Their
cabin has a living area and a kitchen. The only window is in the kitchen
looking out on the family pantry - the corn crib. They kept their rifle
hanging over the window in case he heard the shutter squeak on the corn
crib which meant someone was trying to get at his food. Walk in back of
the property to see the spring house built right over the running river,
to keep the food inside cool.
 Down
the road you will come to the Alfred Reagan Place. Reagan was also a farmer,
but he was also a business man and a jack of all trades. He build a blacksmith
shop beside the creek, built a store which his son ran, an even build
a mill and charged on gallon per bushel in toll for grinding people's
meal.
Keep your eye out for the "Place of a Thousand Drips" near
the end of the trail. You may just drive pass it if you are not looking
for it. This place is an interesting waterfall that trickles down the
side of the bedrock in various places. This is actually our favorite place
on the trail. The kids and their father actually climbed up the waterfall.
It is a pretty tricky hike and I don't recommend it, but they are very
proud of themselves for accomplishing such a feat.
See
the Slideshow!
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