Old Homestead Trail: Difference between revisions

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  | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
  | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
  | Difficulty Rating = Medium
  | Difficulty Rating = Medium
  | Hike Time = 1.5 Hours
  | Hike Time = 2.5 Hours
  | Round Trip Distance = 2.3 Mi
  | Round Trip Distance = 2.3 Mi
  | Trail Distance = 2.3 Mi
  | Trail Distance = 2.3 Mi
  | Trail Type = Loop
  | Trail Type = Loop
  | Elevation Gain = 600 Ft
  | Elevation Gain = 550 Ft
  | Elevation Loss =  
  | Elevation Loss =  
  | High Point = 2600
  | High Point = 2550
  | Parking coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
  | Parking coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
  | Trailhead coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
  | Trailhead coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
Line 36: Line 36:
<!-- 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. -->
Travel through time while hiking through remnants of the past.  Starting from the Sink Mountain Boat Launch parking area, this hike offers a glimpse of early settlement as the path winds through old stone fences and home sites.
Travel through time while hiking through remnants of the past.  Starting from the Sink Mountain Boat Launch parking area, this hike offers a glimpse of early settlement as the path winds through old stone fences and home sites.
'''Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passable unless a wind storm had recently happened.'''


== 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:
From Kingsport, TN:
#Take I-26 south to Exit 249 for US-321 towards Elizabethton.
#Take I-26 south to Exit 24 for US-321 towards Elizabethton.
#Turn right/south on US-19E/231 to Hampton.
#Turn right/south on US-19E/231 to Hampton.
#Turn left/east on US-321 and proceed through Butler.  
#At Hampton, turn left/east to stay on US-321.
#Turn left/north on TN-67 and proceed through Butler.  
#Turn right/east on TN-167/Doe Creek Road.  
#Turn right/east on TN-167/Doe Creek Road.  
#After 1.8 miles, turn right/south on gravel Sink Mountain Launch Road.   
#After 1.8 miles, turn right/south on Sink Mountain Launch Road. No street sign, but a brown boat launch sign.   
#Proceed to the end of the gravel road to reach parking lot.
#Proceed to the end of the paved road to reach parking lot.  Note: There a pair of deep potholes at the road's highpoint.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
Line 52: Line 54:


Remember Leave No Trace and please do not disturb the homestead sites.
Remember Leave No Trace and please do not disturb the homestead sites.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles
!Elevation
!Old Homestead Trail
!Miles
|-
|0.0
|2000
|Trailhead at boat launch parking lot
|2.6
|-
|0.1
|
|Campsite beside lake
|2.5
|-
|0.15
|
|Fork in trail - head right along Dry Creek
|2.45
|-
|0.5
|
|Old homestead ruins
|2.1
|-
|0.7
|
|Old homestead ruins - proceed across open field
|1.9
|-
|1.4
|
|Reach gap, make sharp left uphill
|1.2
|-
|1.7
|
|Reach summit with lake views
|0.9
|-
|1.9
|
|Begin steep descent along ridgeline
|0.7
|-
|2.4
|
|Cross creek
|0.2
|-
|2.4
|
|Back at fork
|2.45
|-
|2.6
|
|Back at parking lot
|0.0
|}


== 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?  -->
Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passible. 
'''THIS TRAIL IS CURRENTLY IMPASSABLE BECAUSE OF MANY BLOWDOWNS FROM THE JULY 2016 WINDSTORM'''
 


==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.-->
Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest.  Office number is (423) 735-1500.  No fee to hike the trail, but state fishing regulations apply to Watauga Lake.
Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest.  Office number is (423) 735-1500.   
 
Boat ramp is open year round sunrise to sunset. USFS websites says there is a fee of $2 per vehicle per day or a Cherokee National Forest Pass for $30 per year. Also state fishing regulations apply to Watauga Lake.  No payment container was observed at the boat launch.


Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.
Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
Line 72: Line 140:
== 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. -->
<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="650" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Old_Homestead_Trail.kml>
<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="650" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Old_Homestead_Trail.kml>


36.35875,-81.9723578~Trailhead~~MarkerT.png
36.35875,-81.9723578~Trailhead~~MarkerT.png

Latest revision as of 18:24, 16 April 2023

File:Placeholder.jpg
Trail Name Old Homestead Trail
Trail Number USFS Trail #603
Park Cherokee National Forest
Nearest City Butler
State Tennessee
Trail Marking Blue Blaze
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.pngDnr dog.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 2.5 Hours0.156 Days <br />150 Min <br />
Distance:
round-trip/trail only 		2.3 Mi3.701 km <br /> / 2.3 Mi3.701 km <br />
Trail Type Loop
Climb/Descent Elevation 550 Ft167.64 Meters <br /> /
High Point 25502,550 Feet <br />850 Yards <br />777.24 Meters <br />
Parking 36° 21' 31.50" N, 81° 58' 20.49" W
Trailhead 36° 21' 31.50" N, 81° 58' 20.49" W
Nearest Medical Elizabethton
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map

Trail Overview[edit]

Travel through time while hiking through remnants of the past. Starting from the Sink Mountain Boat Launch parking area, this hike offers a glimpse of early settlement as the path winds through old stone fences and home sites. Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passable unless a wind storm had recently happened.

How to get there[edit]

From Kingsport, TN:

  1. Take I-26 south to Exit 24 for US-321 towards Elizabethton.
  2. Turn right/south on US-19E/231 to Hampton.
  3. At Hampton, turn left/east to stay on US-321.
  4. Turn left/north on TN-67 and proceed through Butler.
  5. Turn right/east on TN-167/Doe Creek Road.
  6. After 1.8 miles, turn right/south on Sink Mountain Launch Road. No street sign, but a brown boat launch sign.
  7. Proceed to the end of the paved road to reach parking lot. Note: There a pair of deep potholes at the road's highpoint.

Route Description[edit]

From parking, follow trail to fork. To left will begin steady, sometimes steep ascent of Curtis Mountain to loop around and return on gentle grade through old homestead sites. For more gentle ascent, proceed right, but then steep descent.

Remember Leave No Trace and please do not disturb the homestead sites.

Miles Elevation Old Homestead Trail Miles
0.0 2000 Trailhead at boat launch parking lot 2.6
0.1 Campsite beside lake 2.5
0.15 Fork in trail - head right along Dry Creek 2.45
0.5 Old homestead ruins 2.1
0.7 Old homestead ruins - proceed across open field 1.9
1.4 Reach gap, make sharp left uphill 1.2
1.7 Reach summit with lake views 0.9
1.9 Begin steep descent along ridgeline 0.7
2.4 Cross creek 0.2
2.4 Back at fork 2.45
2.6 Back at parking lot 0.0

Typical Conditions[edit]

THIS TRAIL IS CURRENTLY IMPASSABLE BECAUSE OF MANY BLOWDOWNS FROM THE JULY 2016 WINDSTORM


Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. Office number is (423) 735-1500.

Boat ramp is open year round sunrise to sunset. USFS websites says there is a fee of $2 per vehicle per day or a Cherokee National Forest Pass for $30 per year. Also state fishing regulations apply to Watauga Lake. No payment container was observed at the boat launch.

Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.

After the Hike[edit]

Along US-231 is Shook Branch Recreation Area which offers swimming in the lake during the summer.

Misc. Information[edit]

Maps[edit]

Loading map...

Photos[edit]

  • Placeholder.jpg

    To Come

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