Editing Old Homestead Trail

<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
 | Park = Cherokee National Forest
 | City = Butler
 | State = Tennessee
 | Trail Number = USFS Trail #603
 | Marking = Blue Blaze
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}
 | Difficulty Rating = Medium
 | Hike Time = 2.5 Hours
 | Round Trip Distance = 2.3 Mi
 | Trail Distance = 2.3 Mi
 | Trail Type = Loop
 | Elevation Gain = 550 Ft
 | Elevation Loss = 
 | High Point = 2550
 | Parking coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
 | Trailhead coords = 36.35875,-81.9723578
 | Medical = Elizabethton
}}<!-- End Infobox template table-->{{Trail page needs
 | Hide needs = True
 | KML = True
 | Updated KML = 
 | Detail route description = True
 | Photos = 
 | Winter photos = True
 | Remove prefix = 
 | Update infobox = True
 | Infobox data update = True
 | Trail pins = 
 | Other = 
 | Comment = Group into Rogers Creek Recreation Area(?)
 | Date reviewed = 10/17/2016
}}<!-- Start of Main Page -->
== 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. -->
Travel through time while hiking through remnants of the past.  Starting from the Sink Mountain Boat Launch parking area, this hike offers a glimpse of early settlement as the path winds through old stone fences and home sites.
'''Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passable unless a wind storm had recently happened.'''

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Kingsport, TN:
#Take I-26 south to Exit 249 for US-321 towards Elizabethton.
#Turn right/south on US-19E/231 to Hampton.
#Turn left/east on US-321 and proceed through Butler. 
#Turn right/east on TN-167/Doe Creek Road. 
#After 1.8 miles, turn right/south on gravel Sink Mountain Launch Road.  
#Proceed to the end of the gravel road to reach parking lot.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
From parking, follow trail to fork.  To left will begin steady, sometimes steep ascent of Curtis Mountain to loop around and return on gentle grade through old homestead sites.  For more gentle ascent, proceed right, but then steep descent.

Remember Leave No Trace and please do not disturb the homestead sites.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles
!Elevation
!Old Homestead Trail
!Miles
|-
|0.0
|2000
|Trailhead at boat launch parking lot
|2.6
|- 
|0.1
|
|Campsite beside lake
|2.5
|-
|0.15
|
|Fork in trail - head right along Dry Creek
|2.45
|-
|0.5
|
|Old homestead ruins
|2.1
|-
|0.7
|
|Old homestead ruins - proceed across open field
|1.9
|-
|1.4
|
|Reach gap, make sharp left uphill
|1.2
|-
|1.7
|
|Reach summit with lake views 
|0.9
|-
|1.9
|
|Begin steep descent along ridgeline
|0.7
|-
|2.4
|
|Cross creek
|0.2
|-
|2.4
|
|Back at fork
|2.45
|-
|2.6
|
|Back at parking lot
|0.0
|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
'''THIS TRAIL IS CURRENTLY IMPASSABLE BECAUSE OF MANY BLOWDOWNS FROM THE JULY 2016 WINDSTORM'''


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest.  Office number is (423) 735-1500.  

Boat ramp is open year round sunrise to sunset. USFS websites says there is a fee of $2 per vehicle per day or a Cherokee National Forest Pass for $30 per year. Also state fishing regulations apply to Watauga Lake.  No payment container was observed at the boat launch.

Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
Along US-231 is Shook Branch Recreation Area which offers swimming in the lake during the summer.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
 
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="650" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Old_Homestead_Trail.kml>

36.35875,-81.9723578~Trailhead~~MarkerT.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:placeholder.jpg|To Come
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>

<!-- Categories -->
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Medium]]