Located on Trillium Gap Trail, Grotto Falls is a much smaller waterfall of 25 feet. Yet it still manages to drum out all surrounding noise, befitting of the noisy reputation of Roaring Fork which rushes over from its source near the top of Mount LeConte. Here the resistant Thunderhead sandstone is underlain by a softer and siltier layer of Elkmont Sandstone. The lower slopes of these two trails are blanketed in a cove hardwood forest of silverbell, hemlock, yellow-poplar, basswood, and scattered white pine. Both red and sugar maples flourish here.
Wildflowers abound along both trails.
Not surprisingly, Trillium Gap is known for its namesake flower. At Trillium Gap, about 5 miles along the trail, stands a beech gap with attendant spring flowers of fringed phacelia, trout lily, and Dutchman's breeches. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail begins 3 miles into Cherokee Orchard Road. Moderate to strenuous. From 2,550 feet in Rainbow Falls parking area to 6,593 feet at Mount LeConte summit.