Editing Sinking Waters

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:WPSP SW Boardwalk.jpg
|Trail Highlight=Three connected loops and a stream that disappears into a sinkhole
|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Trail Marking=Green, Yellow, Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas, Caves
|Difficulty Rating=Easy
|Hike Time=1 hr
|Trail Distance=1.75 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.14 mi
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=1,607 ft
|Low Point=1,325 ft
|Elevation Gain=338 ft
|Elevation Loss=338 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Counter Clockwise
|Parking location=36.51659, -82.47366
|Trailhead location=36.51659, -82.47366
}}
{{Trail 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]]. Nice quick hike nearby for those in Kingsport. Interesting view of a stream flowing and disappearing into a sink hole (thus the name sinking waters). Three connected loops offer many options to create a hike or run, to suit your interest. Good views to the south for those that make it to the ridge top, especially on early winter mornings. Also a good location for blackberries and raspberries during the warm summer months and paw paws in September.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From the [[Warriors Path State Park#How to get there|park headquarters]]...
# Take Fall Creek Road north across the Holston River. 
# Continue past the golf course and turn left on Moody Lane. 
# Turn left on to Cedar Branch Road.
# Gravel parking lot on your left as the road turns right.

Warning! There is a gate to the parking lot on Cedar Branch Road. I have often found it closed and locked well into late in the morning (no clue about other times as that's my usual hike time). If it's during daylight hours, you can try contacting the park office to request an unlocking. Call the main office at 423-239-8531.

== Route Description==
[[File:Sinking waters profile.png|thumb|right|Profile chart]]
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The trail consists of three connected loops. Starting from the typical access point on Cedar Branch Road is the greenish blue blazed forest or ridge loop offering some views to the south. The middle loop is the yellow blazed field loop. The final loop and location of the sinking waters namesake is the blue blazed wetlands loop. The wetlands loop is connected to the park golf course. 

<tab class=wikitable border=1 sep=comma head=top>
Section,Distance (mi),Marking
Parking to Forest Loop Connector,0.09,Green
Forest Loop,0.64,Green
Forest and Field Loop Connector,0.08,Green
Field Loop,0.56,Yellow
Field and Wetlands Loop Connector,0.14,Yellow
Wetlands Loop,0.39,Blue
Wetlands Loop Golf Course Connector,0.1,Blue
</tab>

The trail can be made very short or long by taking the loops as desired. The description below is for an "always turn right" route starting from Cedar Branch Road, (almost always) taking the trail to the right when it splits.

<tab class=wikitable border=1 sep=semicolon head=top>
Miles Out;{{PAGENAME}};Miles Back;Elevation (ft)
0.0;Trail head;2.19;1,479
0.05;Trail bridge and spring house;2.14;1,457
0.1;Trail head;2.09;1,494
0.3;Pass ridge sign and trail high point;1.89;1,637
0.5;Descend ridge on stairs;1.69;1,499
0.54;Rejoin lower trail at sign;1.65;1,448
0.62;Turn right at bench for 2nd loop;1.57;1,426
0.73;Bench on upper part of the middle loop;1.46;1,498
0.95;Trail head;1.24;1,373
1.0;Bench and sign at paved section and small bridge;1.19;1,382
1.09;Enter boardwalk section;1.10;1,330
1.2;Turn right to head to golf course;0.99;1,368
1.29;Trail head;0.90;1,388
1.44;View sinking waters;0.75;1,375
1.48;Leave boardwalk section;0.71;1,479
1.6;Stay right for middle loop;0.59;1,372
1.63;Sign about Coffman family;0.56;1,373
1.83;Complete middle loop;0.36;1,418
1.9;Begin lower portion of the first loop;0.29;1,443
2.1;Complete the first loop;0.09;1,499
2.19;Hike complete;0.0;1,479
</tab>

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
The trails are fairly well maintained with boardwalks in the wetter parts and stairs on the steeper parts. Some side trails exist without posted signs.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
None needed, just park and go.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
Blackberries and raspberries abound in late June and July. 

At night along the boardwalk a barred owl may ask "who cooks for you, who cooks for y'all."

According to the signs, the Coffman family settled in the area in the late 1860's. They tried to farm, but frequent floods swept away their cornfield and peach orchard. To get by they switched to blacksmithing and built a shop in the area. 

In recent times the land was owned by (?) who bought it for his daughters to have a spot to ride horses. In (?) he donated to the park.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking and trail head
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW parking lot.jpg|150px|Parking lot sign]]
|Marker Location=36.516591,-82.473665
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Photo spot
|Marker Title=The Sinking Waters
|Marker Description=[[File:Sinking Waters sinkhole.jpg|150px|The namesake sinking waters disappearing into a hole]]<br>The namesake sinking waters<br>disappearing into a hole
|Marker Location=36.51005,-82.481275
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Unmarked trail turn
|Marker Description=Must turn right uphill or left to follow the creek on your right to continue in the correct direction. Not sure where the other path will take you
|Marker Location=36.512945,-82.480961
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW sign on NorthEast loop.jpg|150px|Sign on ridge of the first loop]]
|Marker Location=36.515965,-82.477991
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail stairs
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW stairs.jpg|150px|Stairs coming off of the ridge]]
|Marker Location=36.514836,-82.477365
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW trail sign near stairs.jpg|150px|Sign near stairs of 1st loop rejoining]]
|Marker Location=36.514300,-82.476834
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Bench
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW bench at 2nd loop split.jpg|150px|Bench]]
|Marker Location=36.513507,-82.477734
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Bench
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW bench on North middle loop.jpg|150px|Bench on North leg of 2nd loop]]
|Marker Location=36.513756,-82.479150
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW Sign on South mid loop.jpg|150px|Sign on south end of the middle loop]]
|Marker Location=36.512311,-82.479665
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW sign at mid loop rejoin.jpg|150px|Sign between 2nd and 3rd loop/boardwalk]]
|Marker Location=36.511608,-82.480456
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Bench
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW bench at paved portion.jpg|150px|Bench between 2nd loop and boardwalk]]
|Marker Location=36.511634,-82.480276
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail signs
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW boardwalk sign front.jpg|150px|Front side of boardwalk sign]]<br>[[Image:WPSP SW Boardwalk sign back.jpg|150px|Back side of boardwalk sign]]
|Marker Location=36.510686,-82.481056
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW Golf Course Entrance.jpg|150px|Golf Course Entrance sign]]
|Marker Location=36.509158,-82.481430
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Collapsed shed
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW Collapsed shed 1.jpg|150px|Collapsed shed]]
|Marker Location=36.508427,-82.481489
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Old structure
|Marker Title=Structure remains
|Marker Location=36.508385,-82.481618
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail bridge
|Marker Title=Water bridge
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW bridge.jpg|150px|Bridge near parking]]
|Marker Location=36.516404,-82.474316
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail sign
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW Sign on SouthEast Loop.jpg|150px|Sign on south end of the first loop]]
|Marker Location=36.515910,-82.475133
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Spring house
|Marker Description=[[Image:WPSP SW spring house.jpg|150px|Spring house]]
|Marker Location=36.516526,-82.474229
}}