Summit Trail (Elk Knob): Difference between revisions
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Newest state park in North Carolina with new trail being built to 5560' 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. | |||
== How to get there == | == How to get there == | ||
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Revision as of 09:43, 4 October 2011
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Trail Overview
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 A. T. heading up 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 and one a little below the top looking south towards 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.
How to get there
From Johnson City, TN Longer, but easier drive is:
- Take US321 over to Boone, NC.
- Take NC194 north out of Boone for just over four miles.
- Turn onto Meat Camp Road and travel just over five miles.
- Turn right at state park sign and enter on gravel road
- The parking area at the sharp bend in the road is the trailhead.
Park address is 5564 Meat Camp Road Todd, NC 28684-9549
Route Description
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.
Typical Conditions
The dirt path trails are in excellent condition as maintained by the National Park Service. Expect crowds during peak leaf season in October. Some wet spots have been reported on the Price Lake loop trail - especially after wet weather.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No fees at this time. Camping is not allowed.
Park Hours
November - February: 8AM - 6PM
March, April, May, September and October: 8AM - 8PM
June - August: 8AM - 9PM
Trail closes 15 minutes before the park entrance gate is locked.
After the Hike
Misc. Information
Link to state park webpage with brochure.
Maps
<googlemap lat="36.332" lon="-81.686" type="terrain" zoom="15" height="600" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml (A) 36.33173,-81.68957 Parking and trailhead </googlemap>
Photos
- Placeholder.jpg