Laurel Falls

8.20.13   Today we had 12 hikers.  The weather was excellent for hiking.  It was cool and overcast, but not too good for taking pictures.  Three of us slow hikers only went as far as the cutoff for Laurel Falls.  This distance was only 3.0 miles round trip.  The rest of the group continued on to the falls which would be a total distance of about 6 miles.  It was a beautiful hike with lots of water roaring down Richland Creek.  I would rate the short hike as easy and the longer hike as moderate.  To see a few pictures of the short portion of the hike click on the Laurel Falls tab above.  Additional photos from Larry.  Bootie led Larry and Gary up to behind the falls and then up above the falls to Bryan Overlook.  They went a total of about 9 miles.  I would rate this portion of the hike as severe.