Published September 20, 2013 02:27PM
-Mapped by Stephen Wilkinson
RBT001
Location: 35.6755409240723, -83.4854507446289
Go WSW from Cherokee Orchard onto one of the earliest-known trails leading to Mt. Le Conte (6,593 ft.)
RBT002
Location: 35.6724510192871, -83.4840774536133
Meet up Rainbow Falls Trail along Le Conte Creek, once called Mill Creek because of the grist mills that operated along its inhabited banks
RBT003
Location: 35.6703491210938, -83.4824066162109
Slowly stride through a shady stand of hemlocks and mixed hardwoods
RBT004
Location: 35.6685447692871, -83.4794311523438
Trail twists away from creek on tight switchbacks to an exposed ridge below the steep gully formation of Scratch Britches
RBT005
Location: 35.6669960021973, -83.4768600463867
Hit 3,400-ft. contour and continue climbing on N side of ravine
RBT006
Location: 35.6637191772461, -83.4716720581055
Cross log footbridge
RBT007
Location: 35.6639518737793, -83.4698715209961
Another footbridge; trail dips back into creekbed, then rises sharply
RBT008
Location: 35.6610374450684, -83.4711685180664
Hear rumble of falls on last uphill push. Falls and cliff face come into view rounding a bend in the mountain
RBT009
Location: 35.6607093811035, -83.4680709838867
Rainbow Falls drops 80 ft. over a series of ledges into crystal blue pools. Camera trick: Position yourself between the sun and the misty falls at a 40-degree angle and a small rainbow will likely appear for your photos. Return to trailhead