Editing Summit Trail (Elk Knob)

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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|Banner Image=File:EKSP placemarker.jpg
{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Highlight=5,560' summit with view of northern highlands
                    | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
|Park=Elk Knob State Park
                    | City = Todd
|Trail Marking=Blue
                    | State = North Carolina
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Marking = *
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Difficulty Rating = Easy
|Hike Time=2 hrs
                    | Hike Time = 2
|Trail Distance=1.829 mi
                    | Distance = 4
|Round Trip Distance=3.6 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = ~900
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | High Point = 5560
|High Point=5,550 ft
                    | Latitude = 36.33173
|Low Point=4,567 ft
                    | Longitude = -81.68957
|Elevation Gain=962 ft
                    | Medical = Boone, NC
|Elevation Loss=0 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.33173, -81.68957
|Trailhead location=36.33173, -81.68957
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
 
{{Trail page needs
__TOC__
| Hide needs =
| KML = Yes
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox = Yes
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins = Yes
| Other = Convert to park
| Comment = Convert to park page, and create individual trail pages
| Date reviewed = 10/19/2015
}}
<!-- Start of Main Page -->


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Trail at the newest state park in North Carolina to 5,560' summit with view of northern highlands.
Newest state park in North Carolina with new trail being built to 5560' summit with view of northern highlands.


In 2002, 5540′ Elk Knob was purchased by The Nature Conservancy and later conveyed to the State of North Carolina as first a natural area, then a state park. Initially the summit could be reached by a very steep gravel road, but some excellent trail construction work has resulted in completion of a new, hardened sidehill trail not unlike the [[TEHCC AT|A. T.]] heading up [[Carver's Gap to US19E|Round Bald]]. The new trail leads 2 miles to the top of Elk Knob which has two very nice overlooks, one at the summit looking north towards Mt. Rogers and the [[Grayson Highlands State Park|Grayson Highlands]] and one a little below the top looking south towards [[Julian Price Memorial Park|Grandfather]] and Roan Mountains. This is a great wildflower hike with many trillium in early May and Gray’s lilies and flame azalea in June.
In 2002, 5540′ Elk Knob was purchased by The Nature Conservancy and later conveyed to the State of North Carolina as first a natural area, then a state park. Initially the summit could be reached by a very steep gravel road, but some excellent trail construction work has resulted in completion of a new, hardened sidehill trail not unlike the [[TEHCC AT|A. T.]] heading up [[Carver's Gap to US19E|Round Bald]]. The new trail leads 2 miles to the top of Elk Knob which has two very nice overlooks, one at the summit looking north towards Mt. Rogers and the [[Grayson Highlands State Park|Grayson Highlands]] and one a little below the top looking south towards [[Julian Price Memorial Park|Grandfather]] and Roan Mountains. This is a great wildflower hike with many trillium in early May and Gray’s lilies and flame azalea in June.
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== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Well built, blue blaze trail to the views at the summit.  New summit trail replaces the old steep rocky jeep road.  The new summit trail is a longer route but has several switchbacks and thus a more gradual way to the top.  As the trail winds its way up, it will cross the old road from time to time.  The old jeep road is still available for hiking if you want to but the summit trail is much easier. 
A new trail is being built to summit, but short by 200 yard which is finished on the old steep gravel road.  The park website says at the summit that the following can be seen: The Peak, Three Top and Bluff Mountains, Mount Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Mt Rodgers (VA), and the Iron Mountains in Virginia and Tennessee.
 
The north view feature spectacular views of the entire Amphibolite Range north of Boone with Mount Rogers and Whitetop in Virginia also viewable.  On extremely clear days it's possible to see Pilot Mountain way off near Winston Salem.  
 
The south view features 3 ski resorts (Beach, Sugar, Appalachian Ski), Grandfather Mountain, Roan Highlands, and the Black Mountains. On extremely clear days, it's been reported that Mount Guyot in the Smokies is visible!
 
{| class="wikitable" border=1"
|-
!Distance (mi)
!Feature
|----
 
|0.0
|Trailhead
|----
 
|0.9
|Neat tree that looks like it's growing on a rock out of thin air
|----
 
|1.1
|Bench with a good view north towards "The Peak" in Ashe County
|----
 
|1.9
|Trail arrives at top. Go left for the south view, go right for north view and the true summit
|----
 
 
|}


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Newly constructed trail path just short of finishing.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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Link to [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/main.php state park webpage], [http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/maps-and-brochures/elk-knob-parkmap.pdf park map], and [http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/maps-and-brochures/elk-knob-backcountry-trails.pdf back-country trails map].
Link to [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/main.php state park webpage], [http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/maps-and-brochures/elk-knob-parkmap.pdf park map], and [http://www.ncparks.gov/sites/default/files/ncparks/maps-and-brochures/elk-knob-backcountry-trails.pdf back-country trails map].


==Gallery==
== Maps ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
{{Map Marker
<display_map type="terrain" height="600" width="90%" zoom="15">
|Icon Type=Toilet
 
|Marker Title=Restrooms
36.33173,-81.68957~Parking and trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
|Marker Location=36.331670841,-81.6895649562
</display_map>
}}
 
{{Map Marker
== Photos ==
|Icon Type=Point of interest
<gallery>
|Marker Title=Information Center
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Marker Location=36.3319480093,-81.6898349622
Image:placeholder.jpg
}}
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
{{Map Marker
</gallery>
|Icon Type=Picnic spot
 
|Marker Title=Picnic Area
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
|Marker Location=36.3353485152,-81.6905777121
[[Category:Overlook]] [[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Easy]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Tree growing out of a rock
|Marker Description=[[Image:EKSP_floating_tree.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.32942371,-81.68193391
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Bench with views north
|Marker Description=[[Image:EKSP_bench_view.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.33010241,-81.68010071
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Photo spot
|Marker Title=South View
|Marker Description=[[Image:EKSP_south_view.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.3268258542,-81.6771597224
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Photo spot
|Marker Title=North View
|Marker Description=[[Image:EKSP_north_view.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.3272865565,-81.6764833195
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Comm tower
|Marker Title=Weather Station
|Marker Location=36.3271446247,-81.6765842401
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Park Office
|Marker Location=36.3329927576,-81.6942716515
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking and trailhead
|Marker Description=[[Image:EKSP_trailhead.jpg|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.33173,-81.68957
}}
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