Editing Green Knob Tower Trail

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{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = * 
                     | City = Old Fort
                     | State = North Carolina
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} 
                     | Difficulty Rating = Medium
                     | Hike Time = 4
                     | Distance = 6
                     | Elevation Gain = ~2,000
                     | High Point = 5,080
                     | Latitude = N35°45.068
                     | Longitude = W82°13.201
                     | Medical = Marion, NC
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                     | googlemap = 
<googlemap lat="35.719620" lon="-82.223907"  zoom="8" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
35.719620,-82.223907,Green Knob Tower Trail
</googlemap>
}}
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== 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. -->
Seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Mt. Mitchell, the views from the Green Knob Lookout Tower at 5,080 ft elevation are great, especially of the Black Mountains.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Johnson City, TN to the north trailhead:
#Take I-26 south to NC Exit 9.
#Take US-19E east for 21 miles to Micaville.
#Take NC-80 south for 12 miles.
#Turn right/NW onto Toe River Road.
#After ~3 miles, find small parking area and trailhead information sign.

The southern trailhead is at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 350.4 for the Green Knob Overlook.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The trail to the Green Knob fire tower can be accessed from either end.  

The south trailhead starts at the Green Knob Overlook (4760' elevation) at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 350.4.  The NFS trail sign is 100 yards north of the overlook on the opposite side of the road.  Follow the narrow yellow blazed trail for half mile up 340 feet to the summit and tower.

The north trailhead begins near Black Mountain campground on South Toe River Road.  It proceeds up the yellow blazed forest service trail along Lost Cove Ridge to Green Knob and the tower.  The infobox information is for this direction.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Narrow dirt trail is moderately used and somewhat steep.  Leaf season for color is typically around end of September to late October.  No facilities at the parking lot.  Bring your own water.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees or permits required for day hiking.  No bikes, ATV, or horses allowed on this trail.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
Black Mountain Campground at the north trailhead has 43 campsites for $19/day.  Open April 14, 2011 - October 31, 2011, with 2012 season to be similar mid-April to end of October.  Check in/out time is 2PM. Drinking water, flush toilets, and showers available. [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110811&ttype=recarea&recid=48522&actid=31&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003705&pname=National+Forests+in+North+Carolina+-+Black+Mountain+Campground FS website]

No camping allowed along the actual trail.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the 32' high Green Knob Fire Tower in 1932 atop the 5,080' summit. The tower has great views of the Black Mountains, Mt. Mitchell, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Currently, the top cab is locked for restoration, but the access stairs off some height to view the valley.

== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="35.735" lon="-82.223907"  type="terrain" zoom="14" width="725" height="600" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Green_Knob_Tower_Trail.kml

(A) 35.751137, -82.220009
Parking and north trailhead
(B) 35.719832, -82.223874
Green Knob Fire Tower 
(A) 35.7177, -82.2228
Parking at Green Knob Overlook
(H) 35.751748, -82.221637
Black Mountain Campground
</googlemap>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->

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</gallery>

<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
[[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Overlook]]