On Hen Wallow Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cocke County, Tennessee, Hen Wallow Falls is a horsetail that a lidar survey measures at about 85 feet.
The falls
The stream is named Lower Falling Branch, a tributary of Hen Wallow Creek; it narrows near the top and divides into two streams that fan across the rock. The lidar figure of 85 feet supersedes an older measurement of about 45 feet; two separate park pages put the height at 90 and 95 feet.
Getting there
Park in the designated hiker lot at Cosby Picnic Area and walk about 100 yards back on the entrance road to reach Gabes Mountain Trail, which leads to the falls in a steep, root-crossed, switchbacking 4.3-mile round trip; no reservation is required. Parking longer than 15 minutes needs a per-vehicle tag from the machine at Cosby Picnic Area, priced at $5 for a day, $15 for a week or $40 for the year.
When to go
Access is year-round, with stronger flow after rain and winter ice formations on the rock.
On site
Dogs are not allowed on this hike, and the trail has roots and steep sections rather than a smooth path. Climbing the slippery waterfall face is discouraged, and the approach crosses narrow bridges that can be slippery. Swimming permission and specific accident records are not documented.
History and name
A Cocke County tourism site links the name to grouse dust-wallowing at the site, treating it as local lore rather than documented history.
Nearby
Ramsay Cascades and Gunter Fork Falls are each about 5 miles away, and Dry Branch Cascade is about 5.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.