Ridge Crest Trail

Ridge Crest Trail (log in to submit report)
Highlight	Steep descent to Cherokee Lake
Park	Panther Creek State Park
Located	Morristown, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	Black arrow on silver diamond
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	60 min1 Hours <br />0.0625 Days <br /> round trip
Distance:	0.70 mi1.127 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 1.41.4 mi <br />2.253 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Low / High Point	1073 ft357.667 Yards <br />327.05 Meters <br /> / 1375 ft458.333 Yards <br />419.1 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	55 ft16.764 Meters <br /> / (324 ft98.755 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	1 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	8 trails / 12.0 mi of trail
Parking	36° 12' 39.06" N, 83° 25' 19.45" W Map
Trailhead	36° 12' 38.30" N, 83° 25' 24.92" W Map
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Trail Overview

Descend on rocky path from Smallman Area parking on highpoint to Cherokee Lake - and back up!

How To Get There

Once at the state park, stay on Panther Creek Park Road to the parking lot near very end. Trailhead just to the west of the "heart" turnaround.

Route Description

Trail Profile

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 difficult due to rocky tread with a couple of steep parts.

Mileage	Feature	Elevation
0.00	Trailhead with bench nearby	1345
0.6	Intersection with Hunt Knob Trail	1152
0.7	At Cherokee Lake	1078

Typical Conditions

Rocky as the trail follows the ridgeline outcropping, but also would not recommend during/after a rain as likely slick on the clay soil. The path itself is poorly marked in places due to many social trails as visitors scramble. Know that you're going down and then back up. Highly recommend a walking stick or trekking poles.

Miscellaneous Information

The parking area offers the best vista of Cherokee Lake, although there would be more views along the trail when the leaves are down. At the Smallman parking area, there are many concrete picnic tables, a restroom, and a rental shelter. Parallel parking along one side of the road then roughly 0.1 mile walk to the the trailhead.

Prickly pear cactus can be seen growing in places along the Ridge Crest Trail.

Gallery

• 

  Cherokee Lake at sunrise

• 

  Hiking Trail Marker

• 

  Down to the lake, and back up

• 

  Shore view from lake

• 

  Smallman Area Overlook

• 

  Trail intersection

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