Date: 01/04/2022
Name: Latham Cemetery & Pear Orchard Loop and 4 Falls and Roman's Den near Currahee Mtn
Distance: 5.2
Difficulty: Easy
Total Climbing Elevation: 607
Type: Loop
Notes: A really great "adventure hike" today where we visited four falls and Roman's Den, a cave occupied by two brothers who were conscientious objectors during the Civil War. With rain the day before, the trails were quite wet, but passable except for the east section of the Latham Cemetery Loop which the Forest Service closed for repairs. The rains provided plenty of flow over the falls we visited, particularly at Big Leatherwood Falls. Both Big Leatherwood and Quarry Falls were new to us. They were found fairly easy with the help of Renee and Heather who spotted unmarked paths to both of them. After a shallow water crossing over Leatherwood Creek, we used some online information to bushwhack a path toward Roman's Den on the east side of the creek. Our first attempt was without success. Fortunately, Heather had visited Roman's Den a few months prior and pursued a path further downstream and guided the rest of us to the cave. Afterwards, we proceeded uphill by a much easier path that intersected with Pear Orchard Loop marked with some green tape. Overall a hike worth repeating in the winter where forest undergrowth is less of a problem.
AllTrails Link: Latham Cemetery & Pear Orchard Loop & 4 Falls and Roman's Den near Currahee Mtn
Additional Search Terms: January