Holston Mountain Trail: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Trail
{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = *
                     | Image Name = *
                    | Trail No. = *
                     | City = Elizabethton
                     | City = Kingsport
                     | State = Tennessee
                     | State = Tennessee
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
                    | Marking = Blue
                    | Season = *
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}{{Camping}}
                     | Difficulty Rating = *
                     | Difficulty Rating = Difficult
                     | Hike Time = *
                     | Hike Time = *
                     | Distance = *
                     | Distance = 12.5
                     | Elevation Gain = *
                     | Elevation Gain = 1,500
                     | High Point = *
                     | High Point = 4,200
                     | Latitude = 36.50803
                     | Latitude = 36.461742
                     | Longitude = -82.61255
                     | Longitude = -82.070442
                     | Medical = *, TN
                     | Medical = Elizabethton
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
                    | googlemap =
<googlemap lat="36.50803" lon="-82.61255"  zoom="12" width="270" type="terrain" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
36.50803,-82.61255,Lakeside Trail
</googlemap>
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
 
{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML = Yes
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description =
| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox = Yes
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins =
| Other = Page cleanup
| Comment =
| Date reviewed = 10/19/2015
}}
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
<!-- Start of Main Page -->


== Trail Overview ==
== 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. -->
<!-- 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. -->
Very popular hiking loop trail around the reservoirIt connects with many other park trails, thus a common starting point. Officially takes 90 minutes on maintained path with moderate climbs and drops. A few benches are scattered along the trail. Points of interest include floating bridge, beaver activity (dams, lodges, and down/gnawed trees), lillypad pond, and the wolves and other animal habitats. Note red dirt from maroon shale in places.  
Ridgeline trail along crest of Holston Mountain, fire tower with views on Holston High Knob.  The trail doesn't look like it is regularly traveled or maintained when you get to the end of the road that takes you up to the firetowerThe firetower is fenced off, but it looks like there are various ways to get through the fence and climb the tower. Some of the steps and landings on the tower did not look like they were in pristine condition. (Summer 2020)


== 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 Elizabethton, TN
:Follow TN 91 about 10 miles toward Shady Valley to Panhandle Road.
To southern trailhead
:Turn left on Panhandle Road (signs for Blue Hole) and follow for about 4 miles to trailhead and locked gate.


To northern trailhead
#Continue on TN 91 7 miles past Mill Creek Road to crest of mountain where Appalachian Trail crosses TN 91 at Osborne Farm. Gravel parking area is on south side of road.
#Follow Appalachian Trail north through Osborne Farm to [[Shelter:Double Springs]] where Holston Mountain Trail intersects Appalachian Trail.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The blue-blazed Holston Mountain Trail is designated Forest Service Trail #44.  It travels the Holston Mtn crest.  The following route continues onto the [[TN91 to US421|Applachian Trail]] to TN91 to have a nice thru hike.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
|-
!Miles
!North to South (Miles)
!Lakeside Trail
!Hike Description
!Miles
!South to North (Miles)
|-
|-
|0.0
|0.0
|Dam, end nearest Nature Center
|From backcountry parking area at junction of USFS roads 56, 56A and 202 on crest of Holston Mountain (3,750’), follow gravel forest service road north (now closed to motor vehicles).
|2.4
|12.5
|-
|-
|0.1
|1.2
|Dam, far end
|Reach end of gravel road on Holston High Knob (4,140’). Tower (fenced off and in deteriorating condition) affords splendid view. Continue north on foot trail along mountain crest.
|2.3
|11.3
|-
|-
|0.2
|3.7
|Pine Trail junction
|At end of ridge crest, best left, and descend by switchbacks.
|2.2
|8.8
|-
|-
|0.4
|4.0
|Floating Bridge
|Reach Flint Mill Gap (3,380’). Several trails and old roads lead from gap. To the left and west is the blue-blazed Flint Mill Trail (USFS #49) which descends padding spring and campsite in 100 yards and Flint Rock in 0.4 miles. Flint Rock offers outstanding views of South Holston Lake. Follow the Holston Mountain Trail to the northeast.
|2.0
|8.5
|-
|-
|0.5
|5.3
|Cherry Knobs Trail junction
|Pass Josiah Trail on left
|1.9
|7.2
|-
|-
|1.1
|6.3
|Beaver Pond Bridge/ Sweet Gum Trail junction
|Reach Little Deep Gap (3,620’)
|1.3
|6.2
|-
|-
|1.6
|8.1
|Hemlock Tr./ (Firetower Trail) junction
|Pass through Spanish Oak Gap (3,700’)
|0.8
|4.4
|-
|-
|1.7
|9.5
|Holly Trail/ Towhee Trail junction
|Join AT in glade at Double Springs Shelter. Take AT right from Holston Mountain Trail towards TN 91. US 421 is to the left 3.5 on the AT 3.5 miles.
|0.7
|3.0
|-
|-
|1.8
|9.8
|Holly Trail junction
|High point of crest of Cross Mountain.
|0.6
|2.7
|-
|-
|2.1
|11.7
|Fern Trail junction
|Northern end of pasture on Osborne Farm
|0.3
|0.8
|-
|-
|2.3
|12.5
|Water Fowl Aviary/ Laurel Trail junction
|TN 91 and gravel parking area
|0.1
|-
|2.4
|Nature Center
|0.0
|0.0
|}
|}
Line 92: Line 106:
== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
   
  The trail up to the firetower is an old forest service road that is a nice packed gravel road.  Past the firetower, the trail does not look to be well maintained.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
 
None Required


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
 
Blue Hole swimming area and waterfalls are on Panhandle road up to the trailhead.  It is a good spot to stop and get your feet wet. It can get really crowded in the summer time. There is also a jet crash memorial on the road if you continue driving past the trailhead on panhandle road. 


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


== Maps ==
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<googlemap lat="36.50803" lon="-82.61255"  zoom="12" width="270" type="terrain" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
<display_map type="terrain" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Appalachian_Trail_TNEastman_Section.kml,
36.50803,-82.61255,Lakeside Trailhead at Dam
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Holston_Mountain_Trail.kml,
</googlemap>
https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Holston_Mountain_Trail_(West).kml">
 
36.47946,-81.96089~Parking area on TN91~ ~MarkerA.png
36.50911,-81.98605~Double Springs Shelter~ ~MarkerF.png
36.47428,-82.05391~Flint Mill Gap~ ~MarkerG.png
36.46005,-82.08821~Trailhead at gate~ ~MarkerG.png
</display_map>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
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<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:Lakeside_Trailhead_from_Dam.jpg‎
Image:Lakeside_trail_-_evergreen_grove.jpg‎
Image:Lakeside_Trail_-_former_avery_area.jpg‎
Image:Lakeside_Trail_-_Bays_Mountain_Dam.jpg‎


<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>
</gallery>


<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Bays Mountain Park]]
[[Category:Tennessee]]  [[Category:Overlook]]

Latest revision as of 12:12, 7 January 2023


File:*
Trail Name Holston Mountain Trail
Nearest City Elizabethton
State Tennessee
Trail Marking Blue
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.pngDnr dog.pngDnr camp.png
Difficulty Rating Difficult
Hiking Time *"*" is not a number.
Distance, round-trip 12.512.5 mi <br />20.117 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 1,5001,500 Feet <br />457.2 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 4,2004,200 Feet <br />1,400 Yards <br />1,280.16 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Elizabethton
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map

Trail Overview[edit]

Ridgeline trail along crest of Holston Mountain, fire tower with views on Holston High Knob. The trail doesn't look like it is regularly traveled or maintained when you get to the end of the road that takes you up to the firetower. The firetower is fenced off, but it looks like there are various ways to get through the fence and climb the tower. Some of the steps and landings on the tower did not look like they were in pristine condition. (Summer 2020)

How to get there[edit]

From Elizabethton, TN

Follow TN 91 about 10 miles toward Shady Valley to Panhandle Road.

To southern trailhead

Turn left on Panhandle Road (signs for Blue Hole) and follow for about 4 miles to trailhead and locked gate.

To northern trailhead

  1. Continue on TN 91 7 miles past Mill Creek Road to crest of mountain where Appalachian Trail crosses TN 91 at Osborne Farm. Gravel parking area is on south side of road.
  2. Follow Appalachian Trail north through Osborne Farm to Shelter:Double Springs where Holston Mountain Trail intersects Appalachian Trail.

Route Description[edit]

The blue-blazed Holston Mountain Trail is designated Forest Service Trail #44. It travels the Holston Mtn crest. The following route continues onto the Applachian Trail to TN91 to have a nice thru hike.

North to South (Miles) Hike Description South to North (Miles)
0.0 From backcountry parking area at junction of USFS roads 56, 56A and 202 on crest of Holston Mountain (3,750’), follow gravel forest service road north (now closed to motor vehicles). 12.5
1.2 Reach end of gravel road on Holston High Knob (4,140’). Tower (fenced off and in deteriorating condition) affords splendid view. Continue north on foot trail along mountain crest. 11.3
3.7 At end of ridge crest, best left, and descend by switchbacks. 8.8
4.0 Reach Flint Mill Gap (3,380’). Several trails and old roads lead from gap. To the left and west is the blue-blazed Flint Mill Trail (USFS #49) which descends padding spring and campsite in 100 yards and Flint Rock in 0.4 miles. Flint Rock offers outstanding views of South Holston Lake. Follow the Holston Mountain Trail to the northeast. 8.5
5.3 Pass Josiah Trail on left 7.2
6.3 Reach Little Deep Gap (3,620’) 6.2
8.1 Pass through Spanish Oak Gap (3,700’) 4.4
9.5 Join AT in glade at Double Springs Shelter. Take AT right from Holston Mountain Trail towards TN 91. US 421 is to the left 3.5 on the AT 3.5 miles. 3.0
9.8 High point of crest of Cross Mountain. 2.7
11.7 Northern end of pasture on Osborne Farm 0.8
12.5 TN 91 and gravel parking area 0.0

Typical Conditions[edit]

The trail up to the firetower is an old forest service road that is a nice packed gravel road.  Past the firetower, the trail does not look to be well maintained. 

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

None Required

After the Hike[edit]

Blue Hole swimming area and waterfalls are on Panhandle road up to the trailhead. It is a good spot to stop and get your feet wet. It can get really crowded in the summer time. There is also a jet crash memorial on the road if you continue driving past the trailhead on panhandle road.

Misc. Information[edit]

Maps[edit]

Loading map...

Photos[edit]