Devil's Backbone: Difference between revisions

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|Banner Image=File:Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg
|Banner Image=File:Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg
|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Trail Marking=Light Blue
|Trail Marking=Red
|Trail Use=Hiking, Fishing
|Trail Use=Hiking, Geocaching, Fishing
|Trail Features=Vistas, Rivers
|Trail Features=Vistas, Rivers, Lakes
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=2 hrs
|Hike Time=2 hrs
Line 10: Line 10:
|Round Trip Distance=2.4 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.4 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=1,587 Ft
|High Point=1,535 ft
|Low Point=1,266 Ft
|Low Point=1,267 ft
|Elevation Change=683 ft
|Elevation Gain=285'
|Elevation Loss=275'
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.50279, -82.48267
|Parking location=36.50279, -82.48267
|Trailhead location=36.50275, -82.4824
|Trailhead location=36.50275, -82.4824
}}
}}
<display_map type="terrain" width="auto" height="500" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/WPSP_Devils_Backbone_Trail.kml,
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=Fall Creek Loop}}
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/WPSP_Fall_Creek_Loop_Trail.kml">
The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.  
36.50065,-82.47918~Overlook at Tee #5~ ~MarkerE.png
36.50013,-82.47760~Lone Cedar Overlook~[[Image:Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg|150px|View from Lone Cedar Overlook]]~MarkerE.png
36.49958,-82.47186~Fall Creek Falls~[[Image:WPSP Fall Creek Falls.jpg|150px|Fall Creek Falls]]~MarkerC.png
36.502632,-82.482759~Parking along Fall Creek Road~ ~MarkerA.png
36.502891,-82.468700~Intersection to/from [[Fall Creek Loop|Fall Creek Loop]]~[[Image:To D Backbone Trail.jpg|150px|Trail head sign]]~MarkerT.png
36.502507,-82.482345~Trailhead sign~[[Image:Devil's_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg|150px|Trail head bridge]]~MarkerL.png
36.50051,-82.47105~Trail bridge~[[Image:Devils backbone bridge over fall creek.jpg|150px|Bridge over Fall Creek]]~MarkerL.png
36.50023,-82.47148~Double blaze for spur trail~ ~MarkerT.png
36.500583,-82.472097~Collapsed building~[[Image:Devils backbone collapsed cabin.jpg|150px|Collapsed cabin]]<br>Legendary home of the dynamite brothers?~MarkerV.png
36.502408,-82.471372~Shed near cabin~[[Image:Devils backbone shed near standing cabin.jpg|150px|Shed near standing cabin]]~MarkerV.png
36.502599,-82.471060~Standing cabin~[[Image:Devils backbone standing cabin.jpg|150px|Standing cabin along spur trail]]~MarkerV.png
36.499356,-82.473141~Fireplace foundation?~[[Image:Devils backbone fireplace remnants.jpg|150px|Fireplace foundation remnants?]]~MarkerV.png
36.500774,-82.471003~Old water wheel?~[[Image:Devils backbone old waterwheel.jpg|150px|Old water powered mill?]]~MarkerV.png
36.501428,-82.470736~Foundation remnants~[[Image:Devils backbone foundation remnants.jpg|150px|Foundation remnants]]~MarkerV.png
</display_map>
The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red below, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.  


__TOC__
__TOC__
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== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Kingsport, TN
Located about 0.4 miles from the [[Warriors' Path State Park|park headquarters]], a distance which could be walked from the campgrounds. Leaving the main park:
#Take Fort Henry Drive to left at traffic light onto Hemlock Rd.  
#Turn right to follow the road onto Fall Creek Rd towards the bridge.  
#Make the hard left right in front of Warriors Path Park entrance to follow the road onto Fall Creek Rd.
#Cross the bridge over Patrick Henry Lake/Holston River.  
#Cross the bridge over Patrick Henry Lake.  
#Almost immediately after crossing the bridge, park at the first pull-off on the right at the golf cart crossing. (Space for 4-6 vehicles - leave gap for golf carts)
#Park at the first pull-off on the right at the golf cart crossing. (Space for 4-6 vehicles - leave gap for golf carts)
#Trail begins down the cart path on the back corner of #17 tee crossing the small bridge with trail sign.
#Trail begins on the back corner of #17 tee crossing the small bridge with trail sign.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
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Image:Devils backbone bridge over fall creek.jpg|Bridge over Fall Creek
Image:Devils backbone bridge over fall creek.jpg|Bridge over Fall Creek
Image:Devils backbone collapsed cabin.jpg|Collapsed cabin along spur trail - legendary home of the dynamite brothers?
Image:Devils backbone collapsed cabin.jpg|Collapsed cabin along spur trail - legendary home of the dynamite brothers?
Image:Devils backbone standing cabin.jpg|Standing cabin along spur trail
Image:Devils backbone standing cabin.jpg|(No longer) Standing cabin along spur trail
Image:Devils backbone shed near standing cabin.jpg|Shed near standing cabin
Image:Devils backbone shed near standing cabin.jpg|Shed near standing cabin
Image:Devils backbone old waterwheel.jpg|Old water powered mill?
Image:Devils backbone old waterwheel.jpg|Old water powered mill?
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<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Overlook at Tee #5
|Marker Location=36.50065,-82.47918
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Lone Cedar Overlook
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg|150px|View from Lone Cedar Overlook]]
|Marker Location=36.50013,-82.47760
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Fall Creek Falls
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP Fall Creek Falls.jpg|150px|Fall Creek Falls]]
|Marker Location=36.49958,-82.47186
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking along Fall Creek Road
|Marker Location=36.502632,-82.482759
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Intersection to/from [[Fall Creek Loop|Fall Creek Loop]]
|Marker Description=[[Image:To D Backbone Trail.jpg|150px|Trail head sign]]
|Marker Location=36.502891,-82.468700
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trailhead sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devil's_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg|150px|Trail head bridge]]
|Marker Location=36.502507,-82.482345
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Trail bridge
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone bridge over fall creek.jpg|150px|Bridge over Fall Creek]]
|Marker Location=36.50051,-82.47105
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Double blaze for spur trail
|Marker Location=36.50023,-82.47148
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Collapsed building
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone collapsed cabin.jpg|150px|Collapsed cabin]]Legendary home of the dynamite brothers?
|Marker Location=36.500583,-82.472097
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Shed near cabin
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone shed near standing cabin.jpg|150px|Shed near standing cabin]]
|Marker Location=36.502408,-82.471372
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Formally standing cabin
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone standing cabin.jpg|150px|Formally standing cabin along spur trail. Collapsed under snow weight in late 2018.]]
|Marker Location=36.502599,-82.471060
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Fireplace foundation?
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone fireplace remnants.jpg|150px|Fireplace foundation remnants?]]
|Marker Location=36.499356,-82.473141
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Old water wheel?
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone old waterwheel.jpg|150px|Old water powered mill?]]
|Marker Location=36.500774,-82.471003
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Foundation remnants
|Marker Description=[[Image:Devils backbone foundation remnants.jpg|150px|Foundation remnants]]
|Marker Location=36.501428,-82.470736
}}

Latest revision as of 15:45, 24 June 2023

Devil's Backbone

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Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg
Park Warriors' Path State Park
Located Kingsport, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking Red
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingGeocachingFishing

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

VistasRiversLakes

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 1.2 mi1.931 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 2.4 mi3.862 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 1,267 ft422.333 Yards <br />386.182 Meters <br />1,535 ft511.667 Yards <br />467.868 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 285'86.868 Meters <br /> / (275'83.82 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 24 trails / 18.4 mi of trail
Parking 36° 30' 10.04" N, 82° 28' 57.61" W Map
Trailhead 36° 30' 9.90" N, 82° 28' 56.64" W Map
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The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.

Trail Overview[edit]

Located in Warriors Path State Park. Nice hike nearby for those in Kingsport. Good views of the Fort Patrick Henry Lake from the top of the ridge.

How to get there[edit]

Located about 0.4 miles from the park headquarters, a distance which could be walked from the campgrounds. Leaving the main park:

  1. Turn right to follow the road onto Fall Creek Rd towards the bridge.
  2. Cross the bridge over Patrick Henry Lake/Holston River.
  3. Almost immediately after crossing the bridge, park at the first pull-off on the right at the golf cart crossing. (Space for 4-6 vehicles - leave gap for golf carts)
  4. Trail begins down the cart path on the back corner of #17 tee crossing the small bridge with trail sign.

Route Description[edit]

Blue blazed park trail. Almost all of the 300 ft elevation gain happens in the first half mile of the trail as you head straight up the ridge. There are two overlooks as you go. One at #5 tee box on the golf course, a good turn around point for families and those not interested in the rest of the climb. The Rocky Point Overlook (the trail high point on the ridge) is another 0.35 miles past the #5 tee. After the ascent the trail drops back to lake level and is steeper than the initial ascent, something to remember for a return trip.

Mileage Devil's Backbone Trail
-0.04 Parking along Fall Creek Road
0.00 Trailhead, at sign and bridge
0.05 Veer left up the hill (not straight which is a fishing spur trail)
0.35 Overlook at Tee #5
0.50 Lone Cedar Overlook
0.6 Turn along shore of lake inlet
0.75 Leave lake area and begin following Fall Creek upstream.
0.8 Fall Creek Falls (rapids)
0.85 Dark blue double blaze shows trail spur leading up the hill. This alternate route is not being maintained as the northern bridge over Fall Creek was washed out several years ago - thus dead end. Passes a few former abandoned home sites.
0.9 Trail bridge over Fall Creek
1.0 Stone rubble from former home chimney along trail
1.2 Intersection with Fall Creek Loop Trail

The Devil's Backbone Trail intersects with the Fall Creek Loop Trail for a nice 0.92 mile1.481 km <br /> walk around old pasture lands past several old home sites through gentler hills.

Typical Conditions[edit]

While the park keeps the trails fairly clear of blowdowns, the trend is rutted and washed out on steep inclines. The path through lowlands by the creek can get muddy after a rain or flood in the spring deluges.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

None needed, just park and go.

After the Hike[edit]

Misc. Information[edit]

Former road to the Childress Family Ferry across Holston River.

Several tales surround this trail. Tales of a little girl with an aching tooth crossed this path to reach a dentist within the current day golf course. Another tale of two boys stealing dynamite from the nearby dam construction. After a successful day of dynamite fishing the boys bring home their haul to excited parents. The parents take the fish and leave for town to sell the catch, the boys accidentally catch the dynamite on fire near the fireplace destroying the home.

Elevation Profile[edit]

WPSP Devil's Backbone Trail profile.JPG

Photos[edit]