Editing Summit Trail (Elk Knob)

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{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
                     | City = Todd
                     | State = North Carolina
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
                     | Difficulty Rating = Easy
                     | Hike Time = 2
                     | Distance = 4
                     | Elevation Gain = ~900
                     | High Point = 5560
                     | Latitude = N36°19.904
                     | Longitude = W081°41.374
                     | Medical = Boone, NC
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                     | googlemap = 
<googlemap lat="36.332586" lon="-81.69064" zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
36.33173,-81.68957, Elk Knob State Park
</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. -->
Newest state park in North Carolina with new trail being built to 5560' summit with view of northern highlands.

In 2002, 5540′ Elk Knob was purchased by The Nature Conservancy and later conveyed to the State of North Carolina as first a natural area, then a state park. Initially the summit could be reached by a very steep gravel road, but some excellent trail construction work has resulted in completion of a new, hardened sidehill trail not unlike the [[TEHCC AT|A. T.]] heading up [[Carver's Gap to US19E|Round Bald]]. The new trail leads 2 miles to the top of Elk Knob which has two very nice overlooks, one at the summit looking north towards Mt. Rogers and the [[Grayson Highlands State Park|Grayson Highlands]] and one a little below the top looking south towards [[Julian Price Memorial Park|Grandfather]] and Roan Mountains. This is a great wildflower hike with many trillium in early May and Gray’s lilies and flame azalea in June.
== How to get there ==
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From Johnson City, TN
Longer, but easier drive is:
#Take US321 over to Boone, NC.
#Take NC194 north out of Boone for just over four miles.
#Turn onto Meat Camp Road and travel just over five miles.
#Turn right at state park sign and enter on gravel road
#The parking area at the sharp bend in the road is the trailhead.
Park address is 5564 Meat Camp Road Todd, NC 28684-9549

== Route Description==
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A new trail is being built to summit, but short by 200 yard which is finished on the old steep gravel road.  The park website says at the summit that the following can be seen:  The Peak, Three Top and Bluff Mountains, Mount Jefferson, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Mt Rodgers (VA), and the Iron Mountains in Virginia and Tennessee.

== Typical Conditions ==
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Newly constructed trail path just short of finishing.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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No fees at this time.  Camping is not allowed.

<u>Park Hours</u>
<br>November - February: 8AM - 6PM
<br>March, April, May, September and October: 8AM - 8PM
<br>June - August: 8AM - 9PM
<br>Trail closes 15 minutes before the park entrance gate is locked.

== After the Hike ==
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== Misc. Information ==
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Link to [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/main.php state park webpage] with [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/pics/brochure.pdf brochure].

== Maps ==
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<googlemap lat="36.332" lon="-81.686" type="terrain" zoom="15" height="600" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml
(A) 36.33173,-81.68957
Parking and trailhead
</googlemap>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:placeholder.jpg
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</gallery>

<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]].  Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
[[Category:Overlook]] [[Category:North Carolina]] [[Category:Easy]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]