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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. | <!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. --> | ||
{{Infobox Trail | |||
-->{{Infobox Trail | | Image Name = Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.jpg | ||
| City = Erwin | |||
| State = Tennessee | |||
| Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Biking}} | |||
| Difficulty Rating = Hard | |||
| Hike Time = 4 | |||
| Distance = 8 | |||
| Elevation Gain = ~1400 | |||
| High Point = 3520 | |||
| Latitude = N36°12.556 | |||
| Longitude = W82°21.308 | |||
| Medical = Erwin, TN | |||
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG --> | |||
| googlemap = | |||
<googlemap lat="36.217133" lon="-82.370338" zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small"> | |||
36.205,-82.35667,Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower | |||
</googlemap> | |||
}} | |||
}}<!-- | <!-- End Infobox template table--> | ||
End Infobox template table | |||
-- | <!-- Start of Main Page --> | ||
== Trail Overview == | == 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. --> | <!-- 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. --> | ||
Great | Great views in all directions from observation platform constructed on the old fire tower steel. | ||
== How to get there == | == How to get there == | ||
Line 50: | Line 33: | ||
#Take Exit 32. | #Take Exit 32. | ||
#At bottom of ramp, take a right. | #At bottom of ramp, take a right. | ||
#At the roadway tee, there is a | #At the roadway tee, there is a new gravel parking lot for 3-4 vehicles with a nearby sign announcing future location for the arts center. | ||
#Hike through gate along new gravel road into the picnic area. | #Hike through gate along new gravel road into the picnic area. | ||
#Trailhead is at the back - | #Trailhead is at the back - look for brown FS marker. Does not have the trail name on it. Parking here for only 1-2 vehicles. | ||
== Route Description== | == Route Description== | ||
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | <!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | ||
The trailhead is located at | The trailhead is located at the future site of the [http://www.tanasiarts.com/ Tanasi Arts & Heritage Center] next to Interstate 26 at Exit 32. The lime green-blazed trail winds up to the top with a reasonable slope using many switchbacks - except for a ~50 yard section (steep coming down). (Unfortunately, bikers have already started to make "shortcut" damage to the trail path.) The trail crosses a gravel road near the top which also leads to the tower, but is steeper than the trail. | ||
Reported 2.5 hours to hike up to the tower with plenty of breaks to look around, and then 1.5 hours back down. | |||
== Typical Conditions == | == Typical Conditions == | ||
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | <!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | ||
The trail | The new trail is wide and well graded all the way to the ridge line. The trail needs this fall's leaf litter to start protecting the tread, which could be somewhat slick after rain due to being so new. | ||
==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ||
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.--> | <!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.--> | ||
No fees or permits. Horse or motor bike riding not allowed per forest service sign. Uncertain if and when the gate | No fees or permits. Horse or motor bike riding not allowed per forest service sign. Uncertain if and when the gate is locked. | ||
The trail is located in the Watauga Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. Telephone: (423) 735-1500 | The trail is located in the Watauga Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. Telephone: (423) 735-1500 | ||
Line 111: | Line 55: | ||
== Misc. Information == | == Misc. Information == | ||
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? --> | <!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? --> | ||
The summit is the highpoint of... Washington County (not Unicoi), Tennessee as it is just inside the county line. Pinnacle Mountain Tower was built by the Civil Conservation Corps and was in service until 1989. The trail was created and the 40 ft observation platform restored for $100,000 as a joint partnership. See [[http://www.knoxnews.com/news/ | The summit is the highpoint of... Washington County (not Unicoi), Tennessee as it is just inside the county line. Pinnacle Mountain Tower was built by the Civil Conservation Corps and was in service until 1989. The trail was created and the 40 ft observation platform restored for $100,000 as a joint partnership. See [[http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/nov/05/historic-fire-tower-may-be-restored-with-new/ news article]] and [[http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_036104.pdf FS press release]]. | ||
The fire tower can also be accessed via a forest service road or the ATV trail [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34966&actid=93&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110350000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Buffalo+Mountain+ATV+Trail (FTR #29)] off of Dry Creek Road. | The fire tower can also be accessed via a forest service road or the ATV trail [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34966&actid=93&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110350000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Buffalo+Mountain+ATV+Trail (FTR #29)] off of Dry Creek Road. | ||
== Maps == | == Maps == | ||
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. --> | <!-- 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="36.2131" lon="-82.361" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> | ||
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.kml | |||
36.209268,-82.355133 | (G) 36.209268,-82.355133 | ||
36.217133,-82.370338 | Trailhead in picnic area for future arts center | ||
[[Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|150px]] | |||
(G) 36.217133,-82.370338,Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower | |||
</ | </googlemap> | ||
== Photos == | == Photos == | ||
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Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|Trailhead in new picnic area | Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|Trailhead in new picnic area | ||
Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - Tanasi sign.JPG|Tanasi Art Center sign near trailhead | Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - Tanasi sign.JPG|Tanasi Art Center sign near trailhead | ||
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.--> | <!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.--> | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. --> | <!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. --> | ||
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category: | [[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] | ||