Editing Holston Bluffs

{{Trip Report
|Trip Date=2024-05-16
|Trails=Holston Bluffs
|Number of People=2
|TEHCC Organized=No
|Share in Newsletter=No
|Trail Condition=Problems
|Trail Comment=Trail was in bad shape. Washed out, hard to navigate visually.
}}
{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:WPSP Holston Bluffs Trail sign.jpg
|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Trail Marking=White
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Rivers
|Difficulty Rating=Easy
|Hike Time=30 min
|Trail Distance=2,028 Ft
|Round Trip Distance=0.5 Mi
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=1,303 ft
|Low Point=1,266 ft
|Elevation Gain=17 ft
|Elevation Loss=0 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.50134, -82.48802
|Trailhead location=36.50321, -82.48728
}}
<display_map center="36.504,-82.489" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="auto" height="600" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/WPSP_Holston_Bluffs_(Fall_Creek).kml,https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/WPSP_Holston_Bluffs_(Campground).kml">
36.50142,-82.48790~Overflow campground gate~[[Image:WPSP Holston Bluffs Trail gate sign.jpg|150px|Overflow campground gate sign]]~MarkerA.png
36.50321, -82.48728~Holston Bluff trailhead by #107 site~[[Image:WPSP Holston Bluffs Trail sign.jpg|150px|trailhead sign]]~MarkerT.png
</display_map>

__TOC__
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Located in [[Warriors Path State Park]]. Short loop along a ridge overlooking Ft. Patrick Henry Lake northwest of the Overflow Campground.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
Directions to main entrance found on [[Warriors Path State Park]] webpage.  The Overflow Campground is to the west along Hemlock Road.  
<br>If off-season (Nov-Mar), then the front gate will be locked closed.  Park there and walk the 0.1 mile across the central campground area to the marked trailhead by #107 campsite. 
<br>If normal season (Apr-Oct), the front gate will be open.  Take the paved camp road around until #107 campsite and the trail sign is seen.  Find a parking spot that does not block any of the active camping sites.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Short walk around the ridge and shoreline by the overflow campground.  Trail is marked by dark blue blazes.

While the park brochure states 1.0 mile distance, the sign at the overflow campground gate and actual measurements from trailhead sign shows a 0.5 mile hike available. 
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Mileage
!Holston Bluffs Trail
|-
|<nowiki>-</nowiki>0.10
|Parking at locked main gate
|-
|0.00
|Trailhead sign by Campsite #107. Proceed downhill.
|-
|0.05
|Pass by or through small campfire area. Trail is on ridgeline, but hollow below also heads correct direction.
|-
|0.10
|Split for loop.
|-
|0.15
|If took left turn, then steps down.
|-
|0.19
|Sharp left and up hill.
|-
|0.27
|End of park property.  Turn right onto old road (some asphalt still seen).
|-
|0.36
|Asphalt ends at "beach".  Head up steps.
|-
|0.39
|Back to loop split. Turn left to return.
|-
|0.50
|Back at marked trailhead.
|}

Below trail profile is for just walking the entire loop from #107 campsite.
<br>[[File:Holston_Bluffs_Trail_profile.JPG|400px]]

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
While the park keeps the trails fairly clear of blowdowns, the path is rutted and washed out on steep inclines.  There are multiple spur trails as general public wanders and makes shortcuts between the campground and the lake.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fee required.  Please do not block any of the campsites.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->


== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->

The park map brochure (link below) calls this trail "Holston Bluffs" while the trail signs say "Holston Bluff".  

The overflow campground is closed summer of 2020. The park is discouraging parking near the gate. Regardless, you should never block the gate. You can begin the trail on the north side of the road before the west end of the bridge. The trail used to connect through the power line cut, but it washed away. You can meander your way through the power line cut but no real trail is well established. Simply head to the other side where the campground is located.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}