Laurel Run Trail: Difference between revisions
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|Marker Title=Overlook to north | |||
|Marker Location=36.493882, -82.683741 | |||
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Revision as of 07:30, 11 July 2021
| Laurel Run Trail (log in to submit report) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Park | Bays Mountain Park |
| Land Owner | City of Kingsport |
| Located | Kingsport, Tennessee |
| Trail Marking | White |
| Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail |
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| FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail |
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| Difficulty Rating | Medium |
| Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. | 3.0 hrs0.188 Days <br />180 Min <br /> round trip |
| Distance: | 1.89 mi3.042 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.78 mi6.083 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car |
| Trail Type | In-and-Out |
| Low / High Point | 1,168 ft389.333 Yards <br />356.006 Meters <br /> / 1,750 Ft583.333 Yards <br />533.4 Meters <br /> |
| Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. | 618 Ft188.366 Meters <br /> / (37 Ft11.278 Meters <br />) – West-to-East |
| Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days | 6 logged hikes (0 recent) |
| NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list | 30 trails / 36.6 mi of trail |
| Parking | 36° 29' 48.44" N, 82° 40' 50.27" W Map |
| Trailhead | 36° 29' 41.75" N, 82° 40' 46.63" W Map |
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| Show In Google Maps | |
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Trail Overview
Note! Parking location for this trail is set to Laurel Run Park, not the typical parking spot for Bays Mountain Park, the park the trail mostly resides within.
When folks say they are going hiking at Laurel Run Park, they generally mean taking Laurel Run Trail up Kiner Hollow to the waterfalls. Laurel Run Trail is actually mostly in the Bays Mountain Park system, but the description and details will be maintained here.
How to get there
Street address: 364 Laurel Run Park Rd, Church Hill, TN 37642
- Take Highway 11W through Church Hill.
- Turn left (south) at Goshen Valley Road.
- Cross the bridge over the Holston River.
- At just under a mile, turn left (east) at River Road.
- After just under two miles, veer left onto Laurel Run Park Road.
- Continue into the park (warning - several speed bumps after entering gate)
- Once the park road tees, turn right toward the amphitheater parking lot.
- Trailhead is past the shelters starting with the gravel road.
Route Description
Starting at the green "Walking Trail" sign, follow the gravel road around the bend and across the new footbridge (which greatly improves this stream crossing). Continue following the roadway up the hill. The tread will become very muddy in places - especially after rain even days before. The trail climbs on the old logging road rising above the creek, and then coming back down.
An option exists for a strenuous extension on your right upon hike departure, to take a steep climb to an overlook spot.
The second creek crossing does not have a bridge, thus is either rock hopping or wading. The trail then rises another ridge up to the lower falls (see photo to right). For most folks, this is their destination.
Just past the lower falls, there is a basin that is commonly used as a swimming hole. The white-blazed trail soon makes a sharp switchback up the hill. The climbing path passes above the small upper falls. The route wanders past a few abandoned homesteads until it finally intersects with the Kiner Hollow Trail.
| Miles | Laurel Run Trail | Miles | Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Start at gravel road past shelters at Laurel Run Park | 2.0 | 1147 |
| 0.1 | New footbridge across creek | 1.9 | |
| 0.1 | Old house | 1.9 | |
| 0.3 | Junction with an Overlook Trail - signed lower end heads steeply uphill to view above Holston River
Note! On your departure, stay left to stay on the main trail |
1.7 | 1231 |
| 0.5 | Junction with an Overlook Trail - unmarked upper end heads uphill
Note! On your departure, stay left to stay on the main trail |
1.5 | 1327 |
| 0.7 | Bridgeless creek crossing - enter Bays Mountain Park (no sign) | 1.3 | |
| 0.9 | Waterfall | 1.1 | |
| 1.0 | Switchbacks | 1.0 | 1436 |
| 1.1 | Kiner Falls off and below trail | 0.9 | |
| 1.3 | Abandoned Morrison family house - stay out! | 0.7 | |
| 1.6 | Abandoned Asa Simpson house - stay out! | 0.4 | |
| 1.7 | Abandoned Alex Wallen house - mostly torn down - stay out! | 0.3 | |
| 2.0 | Junction with Kiner Hollow Trail at creek | 0.0 | 1760 |
Typical Conditions
One significant creek crossing. Sections of the trail can be very muddy thus not recommended after rain even several days before. Mostly up and up and up.
Significant erosion of the main path as seen in a picture in this local newspaper editorial. The funding requested, however, is for shoreline erosion along the Holston River.
Fees, Permits, etc.
None needed.
| Months | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| January through March | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| April | 8:00 a.m. | 7:00 p.m |
| May through August | 8:00 a.m. | 8:00 p.m |
| September | 8:00 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
| October | 8:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
| November to December | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
After the Hike
Laurel Run Park has multiple areas for picnicking, a paved walking path, a playground, a frisbee golf course, tennis courts, basketball court, and softball field.
Misc. Information
Mountain biking is allowed on the upper section of the trail, but too difficult so never seen anyone on a bike.
Photos
Trailhead for Laurel Run Trail - photo by Vic Hasler
Overlook Trail sign
Overlook Trail - Holston River with Clinch Mtns
Cascading creek below the Laurel Run Trail - photo by Vic Hasler
Lower Kiner Hollow Falls - photo by Vic Hasler
