Cascade Trail: Difference between revisions

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== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Are there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Are there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The white-blazed Cascade Trail is part of the "Grand Circuit" loop around the park.  For this trail wiki, we have defined its lower trailhead at Hartsell Hollow.  Cross the Catbird Creek and head uphill.  The trail splits with an alternative upper spur loop.  The path reaches a tee - right for an access point and information sign in the picnic area - or left to continue to follow the trail along the hillside.  A sharp turn with a couple of steps up reaches a spur trail right to Huckleberry Knob, and an unmarked path tumbling down from the left which is a shortcut from [[Ladyslipper Loop]].  Cascade Trail continues forward on level grade.  [[Fork Knob Trail]] heads off left.  After another half mile through the burn zone, the untouched forest is entered at the small Cascade trickling down some sandstone rock is crossed.  The path continues to wind around and up the slope into another burn zone at Stairstep Ridge.  This trail wiki is then defining the upper trailhead at the Fork Knob bench.
The white-blazed Cascade Trail is part of the "Grand Circuit" loop around the park.  For this trail wiki, we have defined its lower trailhead at Hartsell Hollow.  Cross the Catbird Creek and head uphill.  The trail splits with an alternative upper spur loop.  The path reaches a tee - right for an access point and information sign in the picnic area - or left to continue to follow the trail along the hillside.  A sharp turn with a couple of steps up reaches a spur trail right to Huckleberry Knob, and an unmarked path tumbling down from the left which is a shortcut from Ladyslipper Loop.  Cascade Trail continues forward on level grade.  [[Fork Knob Trail]] heads off left.  After another half mile through the burn zone, the untouched forest is entered at the small Cascade trickling down some sandstone rock is crossed.  The path continues to wind around and up the slope into another burn zone at Stairstep Ridge.  This trail wiki is then defining the upper trailhead at the Fork Knob bench.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==

Revision as of 22:40, 5 February 2012


File:Placeholder.JPG
Trail Name Cascade Trail
Nearest City Johnson City
State Tennessee
Trail Marking {{{Marking}}}
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr dog.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 11 Hours <br />0.0625 Days <br />60 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip 2.12.1 mi <br />3.38 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 926926 Feet <br />282.245 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 31923,192 Feet <br />1,064 Yards <br />972.922 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Johnson City, TN
Trip Reports Click Here
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Trail Overview

Located in Buffalo Mountain Park, this long trail winds around on the western slopes of the park. It was significantly impacted by the May 2008 wildfire.

How to get there

Refer to the “How to get there” instructions on the Buffalo Mountain Park page. The trail can be reached from several places, including Hartsell Hollow and the picnic area.

Route Description

The white-blazed Cascade Trail is part of the "Grand Circuit" loop around the park. For this trail wiki, we have defined its lower trailhead at Hartsell Hollow. Cross the Catbird Creek and head uphill. The trail splits with an alternative upper spur loop. The path reaches a tee - right for an access point and information sign in the picnic area - or left to continue to follow the trail along the hillside. A sharp turn with a couple of steps up reaches a spur trail right to Huckleberry Knob, and an unmarked path tumbling down from the left which is a shortcut from Ladyslipper Loop. Cascade Trail continues forward on level grade. Fork Knob Trail heads off left. After another half mile through the burn zone, the untouched forest is entered at the small Cascade trickling down some sandstone rock is crossed. The path continues to wind around and up the slope into another burn zone at Stairstep Ridge. This trail wiki is then defining the upper trailhead at the Fork Knob bench.

Typical Conditions

This trail has a well defined dirt and sandstone path, but was significantly impacted by the 2008 wildfire, thus now winds through the burn area. Be careful of the remaining small blowdowns which are still falling across the trail. A couple of large (8+") blowdowns were also observed, which will require professional removal. Briars are sprouting along the path.

Misc. Information

Maps

The Cascade Trail and Fork Ridge Trail are both in black, while High Ridge Trail is the blue line. <googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.2732" lon="-82.347" type="terrain" height="500" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Buffalo_Mtn_Park_High_Ridge_Trail.kml http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Buffalo_Mtn_Park_Cascade_Trail.kml http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Buffalo_Mtn_Park_Fork_Ridge_Trail.kml

(S) 36.278324,-82.347679 Picnic area (G) 36.26807,-82.34821 Junction with High Ridge Trail (E) 36.265786, -82.352345 Tip-Top (G) Fork Knob </googlemap>

Photos