Trail Overview

This trail is a sight for sore eyes! It has it all; a year-round flowing waterfall, a mountain top powerline overlook, boulders comparable to hot air balloons, and varying mud holes to top it off. This medium difficulty blue trail is very popular due to its attractions and connection to a primary route to Caryville Flats. The murky watering holes are all filled with hard, rocky bottoms, so getting stuck is unlikely, but some are deeper than others. Trail 53 runs alongside the mountain giving views for miles, but don't neglect the beautiful bluff opposite the skyline. There are varying colors and formations that line the rock walls that can surprise you around each turn.

Photos of 53 - Cold Gap Waterfall

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Difficulty

A stock 4x4 with adequate clearance would have no troubles on this trail as long as care is taken to keep water from rushing over the hood from traveling too fast through the water. The entrance to the trail has been known to wash out creating clearance issues along with other rocks on the trail.

Technical Rating

Jacob Myszka

May 24, 2026

Open

Trail Is heavily flooded

rich baker

Jun 14, 2025

Open

Chris Usher

May 14, 2025

Open

Trail was very muddy and wet after the few days of rain. Our SXS made it through fine, many water holes you must go through, some 18 - 24 inches deep but if you stay on the trail the base under the water is solid so you don’t sink. Beware if you try and take an alternate path around the water, it’s all mud and you pose the risk of getting stuck. We learned the hard way and needed to winch out. Overall nice trail up to the waterfall, does get a bit more difficult past it but not bad. Blue trail rating is accurate, especially after rain. Stay on main trail and you are good. Water over floor boards on 1 or 2 water holes (we run 29” tires). This is a must do trail if you are here and it also takes you to the flats.