The trail ascends gradually in a couple of switchbacks through rhododendron and laurel. At 2 miles the trail enters a forest of giant tulip poplar and hemlock and becomes smoother. Here you will also find basswoods, Fraser magnolias, and big buckeyes.... and bears.
No bear here...
but, "orange" ya glad to see me?
This area belongs to bears...
Violators will be "toad."
No bears here...
but you've got a lovely pair of legs, legs, legs, legs, legs.....
No bears here....
but finally I'm on a "web" site!
At 3.1 miles (1.8 miles from the falls), the trail meets Little Greenbrier Trail; coming in from the left, which runs for 4.3 miles to Wear Cove Gap.
Laurel Falls Trail continues straight and starts up Chinquapin Ridge where you will find no chinquapin oak, but will find striped maples and Dutchman's pipe vines.
The trail climbs to the crest of Cove Mountain at 4 miles.