Editing Point Lookout Trail

{{Trail
|Trail Highlight=Look out over Cherokee Lake or also walk down to the water
|Park=Panther Creek State Park
|Trail Marking=Black arrow on silver diamond
|Trail Use=Hiking, Geocaching
|Trail Features=Vistas, Lakes
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=90 minutes
|Trail Distance=1.90 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.75 mi
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=1428 ft
|Low Point=1073 ft at lake
|Elevation Gain=785 ft
|Elevation Loss=794 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Clockwise
|Parking location=36.21301, -83.41643
|Trailhead location=36.21374, -83.41496
}}
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

==Trail Overview==
Take partway for 400' overlook, hike down to the lake, or make a loop

==How To Get There==
After arriving at park entrance, continue on Panther Creek Park Road past visitors center and campground to Smallman Area parking lot. Backtrack down roadway to trailhead.

==Route Description==
Your choice on how far to hike - 1, 2, or 3 miles.  (1) Go out to the overlook and straight back.  (2) Make a loop including quarter mile of gravel horse trail.  (3) During the loop hike, also walk down to the lake and back up.

Take a look at your legs.  If the left one is slightly longer, then proceed clockwise around the loop as the trail path is sloped. Go counterclockwise, if you feel your right leg is longer.

For the hiking club, this trail is medium difficulty due to short length and limited elevation change but modified in this range for the strength of your knees.  However, for general public, it is rated as moderately difficult in the park trail map brochure because of the overall length had having to climb back up if visiting the lake.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mileage !! Feature !! Elevation 
|-
| (0.10) || Parking || 1325
|-
| 0.00 || Trailhead || 1293
|-
| 0.03 || Trail split to straight or right || 1283
|-
| 0.25 || Overlook with bench || 1350
|-
| 1.10 || Spur trail to Cherokee Lake || 1225
|-
| 1.60 || At Cherokee Lake || 1073
|-
| 2.10 || North intersection with Horse Trail || 1170 
|-
| 2.35 || South intersection with Horse Trail || 1095
|-
| 2.75 || Back at trailhead || 1295
|-
| (2.85) || Back at parking || 1325
|}

Notes:  
- If you take the spur trail to the lake, you have committed to hiking back up the hill.
- The horse trail section is a wide gravel roadbed with some erosion problems.
- Return leg to trailhead is marked by a small sign in the corner of the grassy open area.

==Typical Conditions==
Hard packed dirt. Some slick spots after a good rain. Recommend good shoes and walking stick/trekking poles. Actual trail path appears to depend on where the blowdowns fall as the public just reroutes around.

==Miscellaneous Information==

==Gallery==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Point Lookout vista
|Marker Description=Nearby bench
|Marker Location=36.217747,-83.415125
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Intersection
|Marker Description=South end Horse Trail
|Marker Location=36.21427,-83.409605
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Intersection
|Marker Description=North end Horse Trail
|Marker Location=36.217178,-83.409263
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Beach
|Marker Description=Cherokee Lake
|Marker Location=36.223145,-83.411925
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Trailhead
|Marker Description=At roadside kiosk
|Marker Location=36.213743, -83.414965
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Point of decision
|Marker Description=If you go down, you must come back up
|Marker Location=36.219065,-83.412697
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Intersection
|Marker Description=Loop junction
|Marker Location=36.21403,-83.415255
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Closest spot
|Marker Description=Parallel parking
|Marker Location=36.21301, -83.41643
}}