Devil's Backbone

Trail Name Devil's Backbone Park Warriors Path State Park Nearest City Kingsport State Tennessee Trail Marking Light Blue Trail Use/Features Difficulty Rating Medium Hiking Time 2 Hours0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> Distance: round-trip/trail only 2.4 Mi3.862 km <br /> / 1.2 Mi1.931 km <br /> Climb/Descent Elevation 566 Ft172.517 Meters <br /> / -542 Ft-165.202 Meters <br /> High Point 1,501 Ft500.333 Yards <br />457.505 Meters <br /> Parking 36° 30' 8.86" N, 82° 28' 56.45" W Trailhead 36° 30' 8.86" N, 82° 28' 56.45" W Nearest Medical Indian Path Hospital Trip Reports Click Here Loading map... {"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"270px","height":"180px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":8,"layers":[],"controls":["zoom"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":36.5024609999999967158146318979561328887939453125,"lon":-82.4823470000000043000909499824047088623046875,"icon":""}]} Show Large Map

Trail Overview

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

From Kingsport, TN

1. Take Fort Henry Drive to left at traffic light onto Hemlock Rd.
2. Make the hard left right in front of Warriors Path Park entrance to follow the road onto Fall Creek Rd.
3. Cross the bridge over Patrick Henry Lake.
4. Park at the first pull-off on the right at the golf cart crossing. (Space for 4-6 vehicles - leave gap for golf carts)
5. Trail begins on the back corner of #17 tee crossing the small bridge with trail sign.

Route Description

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

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.

None needed, just park and go.

Misc. Information

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.

Maps

The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red below, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.

Loading map...

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#5\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Overlook at Tee #5\n","link":"","lat":36.50065000000000026147972675971686840057373046875,"lon":-82.4791799999999994952304405160248279571533203125,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerE.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELone Cedar Overlook\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"View from Lone Cedar Overlook\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"View from Lone Cedar Overlook\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_view_from_lone_cedar_lookout.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Lone Cedar Overlook\n","link":"","lat":36.5001299999999986312104738317430019378662109375,"lon":-82.47759999999999536157702095806598663330078125,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerE.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFall Creek Falls\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:WPSP_Fall_Creek_Falls.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Fall Creek Falls\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Fall Creek Falls\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/WPSP_Fall_Creek_Falls.jpg/150px-WPSP_Fall_Creek_Falls.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"114\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/WPSP_Fall_Creek_Falls.jpg/225px-WPSP_Fall_Creek_Falls.jpg 1.5x, 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href=\"/wiki/File:To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Trail head sign\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Trail head sign\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg/150px-To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg/225px-To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/To_D_Backbone_Trail.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"265\" data-file-height=\"351\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Intersection to/from Fall Creek Loop\n","link":"","lat":36.50289099999999820056473254226148128509521484375,"lon":-82.4686999999999983401721692644059658050537109375,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerT.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrailhead sign\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Trail head bridge\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Trail head bridge\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg/150px-Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg/225px-Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg/300px-Devil%27s_Backbone_trailhead_.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"768\" data-file-height=\"576\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Trailhead sign\n","link":"","lat":36.50250700000000136924427351914346218109130859375,"lon":-82.4823449999999951387508190236985683441162109375,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerL.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrail bridge\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Bridge over Fall Creek\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Bridge over Fall Creek\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_bridge_over_fall_creek.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Trail bridge\n","link":"","lat":36.50050999999999845613274374045431613922119140625,"lon":-82.4710500000000052978066378273069858551025390625,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerL.png"},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDouble blaze for spur trail\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Double blaze for spur trail\n","link":"","lat":36.5002300000000019508661353029310703277587890625,"lon":-82.4714799999999996771293808706104755401611328125,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerT.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollapsed building\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Collapsed cabin\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Collapsed cabin\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_collapsed_cabin.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003ELegendary home of the dynamite brothers?\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Collapsed building\n","link":"","lat":36.50058299999999888996171648614108562469482421875,"lon":-82.4720970000000050958988140337169170379638671875,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShed near cabin\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Shed near standing cabin\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Shed near standing cabin\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_shed_near_standing_cabin.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"960\" data-file-height=\"1280\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Shed near cabin\n","link":"","lat":36.50240800000000263025867752730846405029296875,"lon":-82.471372000000002344677341170608997344970703125,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStanding cabin\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Standing cabin along spur trail\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Standing cabin along spur trail\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_standing_cabin.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Standing cabin\n","link":"","lat":36.50259899999999646524884155951440334320068359375,"lon":-82.471059999999994261088431812822818756103515625,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFireplace foundation?\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Fireplace foundation remnants?\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Fireplace foundation remnants?\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_fireplace_remnants.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Fireplace foundation?\n","link":"","lat":36.49935599999999880083123571239411830902099609375,"lon":-82.47314099999999825740815140306949615478515625,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOld water wheel?\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Old water powered mill?\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Old water powered mill?\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_old_waterwheel.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"1280\" data-file-height=\"960\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Old water wheel?\n","link":"","lat":36.50077399999999983037923811934888362884521484375,"lon":-82.4710029999999960637069307267665863037109375,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"},{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFoundation remnants\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/wiki/File:Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg\" class=\"image\" title=\"Foundation remnants\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Foundation remnants\" src=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg/150px-Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"/clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg/225px-Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg 1.5x, /clubwiki/images/thumb/Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg/300px-Devils_backbone_foundation_remnants.jpg 2x\" data-file-width=\"960\" data-file-height=\"1280\" /\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Foundation remnants\n","link":"","lat":36.50142799999999709825715399347245693206787109375,"lon":-82.4707360000000022637323127128183841705322265625,"icon":"/clubwiki/images/MarkerV.png"}]}

Photos

• 

  Footbridge at Fall Creek Road trailhead

• 

  Trailhead sign at intersection with Fall Creek Loop

• 

  Fall Creek Falls (cascades)

• 

  Bridge over Fall Creek

• 

  Collapsed cabin along spur trail - legendary home of the dynamite brothers?

• 

  Standing cabin along spur trail

• 

  Shed near standing cabin

• 

  Old water powered mill?

• 

  Foundation remnants

• 

  Fireplace foundation remnants?

• 

  View from Lone Cedar Overlook

• 

  View of Fall Creek